Here's Why You Need a Sam’s Club Plus Membership
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If you enjoy buying well-designed products at great prices, then a Sam's Club Plus membership might be perfect for you. Sam's Club has become a go-to option for shoppers seeking the perfect balance of value and quality. Their stores sell a wide variety of items, from prepared foods to sustainable furniture. Being able to do all of your shopping in one place saves you time and ensures you have access to the top-quality Sam's Club brands you've come to depend on.
Sam's Club members have always had access to benefits such as bonus offers and fuel savings and, more recently, same-day delivery and other online ordering perks. But if you're looking to step up your Sam's Club membership, the Sam's Club Plus program is definitely the way to go. This tier comes with all of the perks associated with a typical club membership and a lot more.
What is Sam's Club?
Sam's Club is a warehouse club with nearly 600 locations throughout the United States. Its stores have always included a good selection of groceries, many of which are sold in larger boxes and in bulk. They also carry furniture such as mattresses, sofas, and dressers, plus a wide variety of home goods, cleaning products, and outdoor essentials.
Most Sam's Club locations also have a prepared foods section where you can purchase pre-made pizzas, baked goods, rotisserie chicken, and similar items. Some even have tire and lube shops, where members can have basic auto services performed.
Over the years, Sam's Club has begun to sell more items online. They offer quick shipping and very competitive prices on online orders.
Now, Sam's Club offers two membership tiers: Club and Plus. The Club membership, which has long been the standard option, gives you access to physical stores and online ordering. If you join Sam's Club as a Plus member, you get all of these perks, including pharmacy savings, optical savings, early shipping, free shipping, and more.
Scan & Go™
One benefit of Sam's Club membership is the ability to use their Scan & Go™ technology. The Scan & Go™ checkout system allows you to scan apps as you add them to your cart. This makes it easy to track how much you're spending as you shop. It also saves you from having to stand in line. Just open the Sam's app, scan the barcode on each item, pay, and show your digital receipt to an employee before leaving the store.
Curbside Pickup
These days, most people are very busy. When you have a million things on your to-do list, you don't always want to spend time walking through the store, choosing items, and waiting to check out. Curbside pickup is made for situations like this, and it is definitely one of the biggest reasons to consider a Sam's Club Plus Membership.
To utilize Curbside Pickup, open the Sam's Club app on your phone. Select items with the "pickup" label underneath them. When you've added everything you need, pay for your order with your chosen credit card. Then, when you get a notice that your order is ready, head to your local Sam's Club and park in a Curbside Pickup parking spot. Use the app to indicate that you're at the store, and an employee will soon bring out your order. You don't even have to leave your car.
Sam's Cash
Sam's Cash is another perk that will help you save. Throughout the year, as you shop, you'll earn 2% back on qualifying purchases you make at Sam's Club stores or via the app. You can earn up to $500 a year, and it adds up quickly, especially if you're doing most of your regular shopping at Sam's.
Early Shopping
Do you hate battling the crowds as you shop? Getting a good look at items can be tough, and you end up standing in line longer than you'd like. Sam's Club members who join the Plus program get Early Shopping perks at select locations. These perks let you get in and out before most other shoppers, ultimately saving you time and headaches.
Free Shipping
Shopping online is certainly convenient, but in some cases, the cost of shipping can be a barrier. Sam's Club helps members get around this barrier by offering free shipping to members of their Plus program. There are a few items in the Sam's Club app that don't ship for free, but they are few and far between. If you're a regular online shopper, free shipping alone may be reason enough to join Sam's. It's also nice to know you can just visit one website for all of your needs rather than constantly checking various websites to see which one will ship your essential items for free.
Extra Savings
Sam's Club stores stock so many different kinds of items. This reduces the number of stops you need to make when you shop and helps you save more money. After all, Sam's Club Plus memberships come with extra savings in many specialty departments.
Sam's Club Plus members enjoy pharmacy savings, including access to more than 600 generic medications starting at only $4. You'll also save at the vision center, where you can enjoy a 20% discount on glasses, free shipping on glasses, and other benefits.
Club Membership vs. Plus Membership
As we already mentioned, Sam's Club offers two tiers of membership. There's the standard Base Club membership, which has been around for many years. Then, there's the Sam's Club Plus membership, a newer and more exclusive VIP membership with additional perks and benefits.
Base Club Membership
You can join Sam's Club as a Club member for $50 per year. This annual membership grants you one card for yourself plus a second, complimentary membership for another person in your household. If desired, you can add additional people to your account, but there is a small fee for each person you add, and you can only add up to 8 "extra" members to your account.
With a Base Club membership, you have permission to enter and shop at physical Sam's Club stores. You can also make Sam's Club purchases in the app. Plus, you get the following benefits and perks:
- Same-day delivery for a small fee when you order by 1:00 pm
- Instant savings on already-low prices
- Access to the Tire and Battery Center, which typically offers basic mechanic services
- Fuel savings every time you visit the pumps at a Sam's Club location
- Bonus offers allowing you to earn Sam's Cash at outside businesses
- Access to Scan & Go™ checkout services via the app
- Curbside pickup for a fee of $4 per order
- A 100% satisfaction guarantee
Join now & get 50% off Club membership*. That's only $25!
*Terms apply. See site for details.
Sam's Club Plus Membership
Sam's Club Plus membership costs a little more than Base Club membership at $110 per year. If you join as a Plus member, you get access to all the perks that Club members enjoy, including a complimentary card for another household member. Instead of eight additional cardholders, you can add up to 16 additional members at a reduced rate. Each of these complimentary cardholders enjoy access to all Club member-level benefits. They can upgrade to Plus if they create their own new account.
Here are the other perks that are available only to Sam's Club Plus members:
- Free shipping on most online orders
- Free curbside pickup
- Access to more than 600 generic medications for $4 each
- A 20% discount on your qualifying pre-tax purchases of prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses
- Early access to stores to help you beat the crowds
- Ability to earn Sam's Cash via qualifying purchases; earn up to $500 a year
- Discounts up to 50% on tire installations at the Tire & Battery Center
Become a Plus member for only $70
*Terms apply. See site for details.
Benefits of Both Memberships
Whether you join as a Club member or a Plus member, there are a couple of additional benefits to consider:
Member's Mark Products
Member's Mark is Sam's Club's official brand. The company focuses on creating well-designed, innovative products that fit customers' needs and are affordable. They also go out of their way to produce, ship, and package their products with sustainability and community in mind. For instance, many of their coffees and teas are Fair Trade Certified, and they work with farmers to ensure safe pesticide use to protect pollinating insects.
Whether you join as a Club member or a Plus member, you gain access to these high-quality Member's Mark products at Sam's Club locations. Member's Mark makes a wide variety of products, including furniture, clothing, shoes, coffee, snacks, and more.
Affordable, Bulk Items
Many of the items sold at Sam's Club come in larger, bulk-style packages, which allows the store to price the items more affordably. If you make bulk Sam's Club purchases, you'll likely spend less overall than if you were to buy those same items in smaller packages at a standard grocery store.
It's also nice not to have to re-stock non-perishable items so often. If you buy a bulk box of your favorite granola bars, mac and cheese, or snack crackers, you won't have to buy them again for months. This definitely comes in handy if you have kids and don't want to run out of essentials.
Convenient, All-in-One Shopping
While some people may enjoy shopping as a pastime, many people just want to get in and out of the store as quickly as possible. You don't want to visit a dozen different stores to run all of your errands and buy everything on your list. As a Sam's Club member, you don't have to.
Whether you choose Base Club or Plus membership, you will simplify your shopping routine. Sam's Club offers everything from furniture to clothing to pizzas – all in one location. You can even get an eye exam, pick up your prescriptions, and get new tires for your car, all in the same place. Many members like to shop while they're waiting for their car to be serviced or their prescriptions to be filled. Imagine how much time you'll save!
If you enjoy saving money, buying in bulk, and getting great value with every purchase, then a Sam's Club membership is for you. Compare the Club and Plus membership options to see which best fits your needs. Then, sign up and start saving. You can't go wrong with benefits like free shipping, curbside pickup, and discounts on fuel and prescription drugs.