What Sam's Club takes at checkout
Sam's Club accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards at all locations. They also take debit cards tied to any of those networks, as well as Sam's Club branded credit cards (the Sam's Club Mastercard and the Sam's Club Business Mastercard). Cash and checks are accepted in-store but not online.
For online orders, Sam's Club accepts the same credit and debit cards, plus digital wallets: PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. They do not accept Amazon Pay or other third-party wallet services online.
Sam's Club does not accept personal checks online, and they do not take payment plans or buy-now-pay-later services like Affirm or Klarna at checkout. If you need to split a purchase into installments, you would need to use a credit card that offers that feature through your bank or card issuer.
Key Takeaways
- Sam's Club takes all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) and debit cards in-store and online.
- Digital wallets including PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay work for online purchases but not in-store.
- Cash and checks are accepted in-store only; online orders require a card or digital wallet.
- Sam's Club does not accept buy-now-pay-later services or external payment plans at the register.
- Sam's Club branded Mastercards offer member rewards and may have different terms than other cards.
In-store payment options
At Sam's Club warehouse locations, you can pay with any major credit card, debit card, or cash. The Sam's Club Mastercard and Sam's Club Business Mastercard are accepted everywhere in the warehouse. American Express is accepted at all locations, though some older warehouses may have had restrictions in the past—if you encounter a problem, ask the cashier or call the warehouse directly.
Personal checks are accepted in-store if you have a valid ID, though this is becoming less common as more members use cards. If you plan to pay by check, bring your driver's license or state ID. Sam's Club does not accept mobile check deposit or remote check payment at the register.
Online checkout payment methods
Sam's Club's website and mobile app accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit and debit cards. You can also save multiple cards to your account for faster checkout on future orders.
Digital wallets are available for online orders: PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay all work. If you use a digital wallet, the payment is processed through your linked card or bank account, so the same fraud protections apply. Digital wallets do not work at in-store registers—you must use a physical card or cash.
Online orders cannot be paid with cash, checks, or wire transfers. If you do not have a card or digital wallet, you can purchase a Sam's Club gift card in-store with cash and use it online.
Sam's Club branded credit cards
The Sam's Club Mastercard is a co-branded card issued by Synchrony Bank. It earns rewards on purchases at Sam's Club and at other retailers. The card is accepted everywhere Mastercard is accepted, including at Sam's Club warehouses and online.
The Sam's Club Business Mastercard is a separate card for business members, also issued by Synchrony, with different rewards rates and benefits. Both cards require a Sam's Club membership to open and use.
If you carry a Sam's Club Mastercard, you can use it like any other Mastercard—at Sam's Club, at other stores, and online. You do not have to use it at Sam's Club, though the rewards structure is designed to incentivize purchases there. Payments on the card go to Synchrony Bank, not to Sam's Club directly.
What Sam's Club does not accept
Sam's Club does not accept buy-now-pay-later services such as Affirm, Klarna, Afterpay, or Sezzle at checkout. If you want to split a purchase into payments, you would need to use a credit card that offers installment plans through your card issuer, or you would need to make separate purchases on different billing cycles.
Sam's Club does not accept Amazon Pay, Google Wallet (distinct from Google Pay), or other third-party payment platforms. They do not accept cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or money orders. International payment methods and foreign credit cards may not work online, depending on your card issuer's fraud settings.
Sam's Club membership fees cannot be paid with gift cards—you must use a credit card, debit card, or cash to renew your membership.
Using gift cards and membership cards at checkout
Sam's Club gift cards can be used to pay for merchandise in-store and online. A gift card is treated as a payment method, so you can combine it with another card if your purchase exceeds the card balance. Gift cards do not expire and have no maintenance fees.
Your Sam's Club membership card is not a payment method—it is a membership credential that grants you access to the warehouse. You must present it at checkout, but you still need to pay with a credit card, debit card, cash, check, or gift card. If you lose your membership card, you can use your phone number or the membership number from your account to check out.
Troubleshooting payment problems at Sam's Club
If your card is declined at a Sam's Club register, the most common reasons are insufficient funds, fraud detection by your bank, or an expired card. Ask the cashier to try the card again, or use a different payment method. If the problem persists, contact your card issuer directly—they can tell you whether the transaction was blocked on their end.
For online orders, if your payment fails during checkout, Sam's Club will show an error message. Common causes include an incorrect billing address, a card that does not support online purchases, or a mismatch between the address you entered and the address on file with your bank. Update your payment information and try again. If the problem continues, try a different card or contact Sam's Club customer service.
If you believe a charge from Sam's Club is fraudulent or incorrect, contact your card issuer first—they can dispute the charge and may issue a temporary credit while they investigate. You can also contact Sam's Club directly with your order number and receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sam's Club take American Express?
Yes, American Express is accepted at all Sam's Club warehouses and online. There are no restrictions on Amex at Sam's Club, unlike at some other retailers. If your Amex is declined, the issue is likely with your card or account, not with Sam's Club's acceptance of the card.
Can I pay my Sam's Club membership with a gift card?
No. Membership renewals and new memberships must be paid with a credit card, debit card, or cash. Gift cards work only for merchandise purchases, not for membership fees.
What if I want to pay with a payment plan or installment service?
Sam's Club does not offer its own payment plans or partner with buy-now-pay-later services at checkout. If your credit card issuer offers installment plans, you can use that card at Sam's Club and then set up installments through your bank or card company after the purchase.
Can I use PayPal in the Sam's Club warehouse?
No. PayPal and other digital wallets work only for online orders on Sam's Club's website and app. In-store, you must use a physical card, cash, or check.
What happens if I use a debit card at Sam's Club?
Debit cards are processed the same way as credit cards at checkout—the transaction is authorized and the funds are withdrawn from your account. Debit cards offer the same fraud protections as credit cards under federal law, though the process for disputing a charge may differ. Check with your bank about their specific debit card protections.