What Sam's Club takes at checkout
Sam's Club accepts credit cards, debit cards, cash, and their own membership card as payment methods both in-store and online. The specific cards they take are Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. If you're a member, you can also use your Sam's Club membership card to make purchases, though you'll still need a separate payment method attached to it for online orders.
Sam's Club does not accept personal checks, and they do not take payment through third-party digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay at most locations, though this varies by store. If you want to pay with a digital wallet, call your local Sam's Club first to confirm whether they've enabled that option.
Key Takeaways
- Sam's Club takes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, cash, and debit cards at all locations.
- Your Sam's Club membership card itself is not a payment method—you need a separate credit or debit card to complete the transaction.
- Personal checks are not accepted at Sam's Club warehouses or online.
- Digital wallet options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are not universally available; contact your warehouse to confirm before you shop.
Paying in the warehouse
At the register, you can hand over cash, a credit card, or a debit card. The cashier will scan your membership card to verify your membership status, but that card does not process the payment itself. You must provide a separate payment method.
If you're using a debit card, the transaction processes as a PIN-based debit (you enter your PIN) or as a signature debit (you sign a receipt). Both are accepted. Cash transactions are straightforward—you hand over bills and receive change.
Paying online at samsclub.com
When you order through Sam's Club's website, you enter your credit or debit card information during checkout. The site accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You do not need to enter your membership card number separately; your membership is linked to your online account.
Sam's Club does not store your full card number after checkout for security reasons. If you want to save a card for future purchases, the site will store a tokenized version—a secure reference to your card rather than the actual number. You can delete saved cards from your account settings at any time.
Sam's Club gift cards and membership cards as payment
A Sam's Club gift card can be used as payment at checkout, either in-store or online. However, a gift card does not replace your need for a primary payment method—if the gift card balance doesn't cover the full purchase, you'll need to provide a credit or debit card for the remainder.
Your membership card itself cannot be used as a payment method. It is an ID card that proves you are a member and may have access to to shop at Sam's Club. You must provide a separate credit card, debit card, or cash to pay for items.
What happens if your card is declined
If your credit or debit card is declined at the register, the transaction stops and you will not be charged. The cashier will ask you to provide a different payment method. Common reasons for decline include insufficient funds, an expired card, a card flagged for fraud, or a card that has been reported lost or stolen.
If your card is declined online, you'll see an error message before the order is placed, and no charge will be applied to your account. You can try a different card or contact your bank to ask why the card was rejected. Some banks decline transactions at warehouse clubs if they don't recognize the merchant code; calling your bank to authorize the transaction can resolve this.
International payment and currency
Sam's Club locations in the United States accept U.S. dollars only. If you are visiting from another country, you will need a credit or debit card that works internationally, or you can withdraw U.S. cash from an ATM using your foreign debit card. Most major credit cards issued outside the U.S. (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) will work at Sam's Club, though your bank may charge a foreign transaction fee.
If you are shopping at a Sam's Club location outside the United States, payment methods and accepted currencies vary by country. Contact the specific warehouse for details on what they accept.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Sam's Club membership card to pay for my purchase?
No. Your membership card proves you are a member, but it is not a payment method. You must provide a credit card, debit card, or cash at checkout. Your membership card is scanned to verify your membership status, but a separate payment method processes the actual transaction.
Does Sam's Club take Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Most Sam's Club locations do not accept Apple Pay or Google Pay at this time. A small number of warehouses may have enabled this option. Call your local Sam's Club before you shop to confirm whether they accept digital wallets. If they do not, bring a physical card or cash instead.
What if I don't have a credit card—can I pay with just cash or debit?
Yes. Sam's Club accepts cash and debit cards at all locations. You do not need a credit card to shop there. Bring your membership card and cash or a debit card, and you can complete your purchase.
Can I use a Sam's Club gift card to pay for my entire purchase?
Yes, if the gift card balance is equal to or greater than your total purchase. If the balance is less than the total, you will need to provide a credit card, debit card, or cash to cover the remaining amount. The gift card will be applied first, and the second payment method will be charged for the difference.
What should I do if my card is declined at Sam's Club?
Ask the cashier to try the card again, or provide a different payment method. If the same card is declined multiple times, contact your bank to ask why. Some banks decline transactions at warehouse clubs due to the merchant code; your bank can authorize the transaction if that is the issue. You can also try paying with cash or a different card.