Sam's Club accepts multiple payment methods both in-store and online
You can pay for your Sam's Club membership and purchases using a credit card, debit card, digital wallet, or cash at the register. Online, Sam's Club takes most major credit and debit cards, PayPal, and their own Sam's Club credit card. The payment method you choose affects when the charge posts to your account and whether you earn rewards.
Your membership fee (which runs $45 to $110 per year depending on membership tier) is charged to the payment method you provide when you sign up. Purchases inside the warehouse or on samsclub.com use whatever payment you select at checkout. If your payment method declines, Sam's Club will attempt to charge it again before suspending your membership or canceling an online order.
Key Takeaways
- Sam's Club membership fees renew automatically on your original payment method unless you update it or cancel before the renewal date.
- In-warehouse purchases accept cash, debit cards, credit cards, and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Online purchases at samsclub.com accept credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and the Sam's Club Mastercard.
- The Sam's Club credit card earns 2% cash back on gas and groceries and 1% on other purchases, but only works at Sam's Club locations.
- If a payment fails, Sam's Club retries the charge automatically; if it fails again, your membership or order may be canceled.
Paying for your membership renewal
Your membership renews automatically on the anniversary of your signup date. Sam's Club charges the payment method you registered when you joined. You can update your payment information in your online account under "Membership" before the renewal date to use a different card or method.
If you want to stop the automatic renewal, you must cancel your membership before the renewal date. You can do this through your Sam's Club account online or by calling member services. Canceling stops the renewal charge but ends your membership immediately — you lose warehouse access the same day.
If your payment method declines at renewal, Sam's Club will retry the charge. If it fails a second time, your membership is suspended until you update your payment information and the charge goes through. You cannot enter the warehouse or use your membership number online while suspended.
In-warehouse payment options
Sam's Club registers accept cash, all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, and digital wallets including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. You can also use the Sam's Club Mastercard, which earns rewards on your purchase.
Cash is the only payment method that does not require a card reader or digital connection. If you pay with cash, you receive a printed receipt. Credit and debit card transactions process instantly at the register, and the charge appears on your statement within one to three business days depending on your bank.
The Sam's Club Mastercard is the only credit card that earns rewards at Sam's Club. It gives 2% cash back on gas (at Sam's Club pumps and other stations) and groceries, and 1% on everything else purchased at Sam's Club. The card has no annual fee for members, but you must be a Sam's Club member to open it.
Online payment at samsclub.com
When you check out on samsclub.com, you can pay with a credit card, debit card, PayPal, or the Sam's Club Mastercard. Enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit code on the back), or log into your PayPal account to authorize the purchase. Your billing address must match the address on file with your card issuer.
Online orders are charged immediately when you place them, not when they ship. The charge appears on your statement within one to three business days. If your payment method is declined, samsclub.com will show an error message and ask you to enter a different card or payment method before your order can be submitted.
Sam's Club offers free shipping on most online orders over a certain amount for Plus members; standard members may pay a shipping fee. Delivery times vary by location and item availability. You can track your order in your account under "Orders" once it ships.
What happens if your payment fails
If your card is declined at the register, the cashier will ask you to provide a different payment method. The transaction does not go through until a payment method is accepted. If you have no other payment method available, you cannot complete the purchase.
For online orders, a declined payment stops the checkout process. You must enter a different card or payment method to proceed. The order is not placed until a valid payment is accepted. If you abandon the checkout, the items stay in your cart for 30 days.
If your membership renewal payment fails, Sam's Club retries the charge automatically. After a second failed attempt, your membership is suspended. You can restore it by updating your payment method in your account and allowing the charge to process, or by paying in person at the membership desk with a different payment method.
Sam's Club credit card details
The Sam's Club Mastercard is a rewards credit card issued by Synchrony Bank. It earns 2% cash back on gas purchased at Sam's Club fuel centers and other gas stations, 2% on groceries (including Sam's Club purchases), and 1% on all other Sam's Club purchases. Cash back is deposited into your Sam's Club account as a credit that you can use toward future purchases.
There is no annual fee for Sam's Club members. The card requires an active membership to open and to use. If your membership expires or is canceled, you can still use the card outside Sam's Club, but you lose the rewards rate and the card becomes a standard Mastercard with a different rewards structure.
You can apply for the Sam's Club Mastercard online, in-warehouse at the membership desk, or by phone. The application takes about 10 minutes, and you receive a temporary digital card number immediately if approved. Your physical card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Updating your payment information
To change the payment method for your membership renewal, log into your Sam's Club account on samsclub.com or the mobile app. Go to "Account" or "Membership," then select "Payment Method" or "Billing Information." Enter your new card number, expiration date, and CVV, then save the changes. The new payment method takes effect at your next renewal.
If you want to change the payment method for a specific online order before it ships, contact Sam's Club customer service through the website or app. They can update the payment method if the order has not yet been charged to your original card. Once the order ships, the charge is final and cannot be changed.
For in-warehouse purchases, you select your payment method at checkout each time. There is no saved payment method for individual transactions — you choose a different card or payment type for each visit if you want to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple payment methods for one purchase?
No. Sam's Club requires a single payment method per transaction. You cannot split a purchase between a credit card and cash, or use two different cards for one order. You must choose one payment method and complete the transaction with it.
Does Sam's Club accept prepaid cards?
Yes, prepaid cards work like debit cards at Sam's Club registers and online checkout. The card must have a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover logo. Your prepaid card balance must cover the full purchase amount, or the transaction will be declined.
What if I want to pay my Sam's Club credit card bill?
The Sam's Club Mastercard is issued by Synchrony Bank, not Sam's Club. You pay the bill directly to Synchrony through their website, mobile app, or by phone. Payments are separate from your Sam's Club membership account. Visit synchronybank.com or call the number on the back of your card to make a payment.
Can I use someone else's payment method to pay for my membership?
Yes. When you renew your membership or update your payment method, you can enter any credit card or debit card number. The cardholder does not need to be present. However, the cardholder's name should match the billing address on file, or the card issuer may decline the charge.
What should I do if my payment was charged twice?
Contact Sam's Club customer service through the website, app, or by phone. Provide your membership number and the dates of the duplicate charges. They can review the transactions and issue a refund if an error occurred. Refunds typically post to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days.