The Sam's Club Mastercard's defining feature is straightforward: 5% cash back on gas purchases at any gas station that accepts Mastercard — not just Sam's Club pumps. Shell, BP, Chevron, your local independent station — they all earn 5%. For a no-annual-fee card, this is one of the best gas earning rates available anywhere. Pair it with 3% on dining and up to 5% total at Sam's Club for Plus members, and you have a genuinely strong everyday card for Sam's Club loyalists.
Cash Back Rates
Two important membership-tier notes: (1) Club members ($50/yr) earn only 1% at Sam's Club purchases with the card — the 3% card rate applies to Plus members only. (2) Sam's Plus membership already provides 2% back on qualifying in-club purchases (up to $500 max per year from the membership benefit alone), and the card's 3% stacks on top of that for a total of 5% back at Sam's Club for Plus members.
5% Gas Anywhere — The Standout Feature
Unlike the Costco Anywhere Visa's gas benefit (5% only at Costco stations, 4% elsewhere), the Sam's Club Mastercard earns 5% at any gas station that accepts Mastercard — which includes virtually every gas station in the U.S. A household filling up three times per month at $50/fill-up earns $90 in Sam's Cash annually just from gas. At the $6,000 cap (about $500/month in gas), the maximum annual gas benefit is $300.
Exclusions: gas purchased at superstores (Walmart, Target) or grocery stores does not earn the 5% rate. Dedicated gas stations — including Sam's Club fuel centers — all qualify.
Monthly Sam's Cash — A Key Advantage Over Costco
Sam's Cash is issued within 1–2 billing cycles of being earned and loaded directly onto your Sam's Club membership account. This means you have ongoing access to your rewards — no waiting until February for an annual certificate. Sam's Cash can be redeemed in-store, online at samsclub.com, through the app, via Scan & Go checkout, or as cash at a Sam's Club Member Services counter.
Sam's Cash does not expire as long as your Sam's Club membership remains active. If your membership lapses, your rewards are held — not forfeited — and are accessible again once you renew.
Monthly Redemption vs. Annual Certificate: A Meaningful Practical Difference
The Costco Anywhere Visa holds your entire year's cash back until February — then issues one certificate. The Sam's Club card deposits rewards monthly. For households who prefer regular access to their rewards, use them for routine Sam's runs, or simply don't want to wait a full year to see their cash back, the Sam's Club card's monthly structure is more practical. The Costco card compensates with slightly higher earning rates on travel and no overall rewards cap.
The $5,000 Annual Rewards Cap
All Sam's Cash earned from the card (across all categories combined) is capped at $5,000 per calendar year. For most households, this cap will never be reached — it requires roughly $100,000/year in spending across all categories, or $120,000 in gas-only spending at the 5% rate. Very high spenders — particularly business owners or large families — may bump against this cap, at which point the Costco Anywhere Visa (with no annual rewards cap) becomes more attractive.
Club Members vs. Plus Members: Very Different In-Store Value
If you have a basic Sam's Club membership ($50/yr), the card earns only 1% on Sam's Club purchases — not 3%. The 3% in-club rate is exclusive to Plus members ($110/yr). If you're considering this card primarily to earn more at Sam's Club, the Plus membership upgrade ($60 more per year) pays for itself with just $2,000 in annual Sam's spending (the extra 2% nets $40 more per year — not quite break-even, but combined with the Plus membership's other benefits, the upgrade makes sense for regular shoppers).
Sam's Club Mastercard vs. Costco Anywhere Visa
| Feature | Sam's Club Mastercard | Costco Anywhere Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Rate | 5% anywhere Mastercard accepted (first $6K) | 5% Costco / 4% other (first $7K) |
| Travel Purchases | 1% — no travel category | 3% unlimited — strong travel card |
| In-Club Rate (base) | 3% (Plus) / 1% (Club) | 2% at Costco |
| Rewards Access | Monthly — loaded to membership | Annual certificate (February only) |
| Annual Rewards Cap | $5,000/yr | None (gas capped at $7K spend) |
| Membership Cost | $50 Club / $110 Plus | $65 Gold Star / $130 Executive |
| Welcome Bonus | Typically none | None |
Pros & Cons
What We Love
- 5% on gas anywhere Mastercard accepted — no restriction to Sam's pumps
- Monthly Sam's Cash redemption — no waiting for annual certificate
- 3% on dining — strong unlimited category for no annual fee
- Sam's Cash doesn't expire with active membership
- 5% total at Sam's for Plus members (3% card + 2% membership)
- No foreign transaction fee — solid for international use
- Card doubles as Sam's Club and Walmart membership card
What to Watch Out For
- $5,000/yr total rewards cap — limits heavy spenders
- Only 1% at Sam's Club for basic Club members — need Plus for 3%
- No travel category — 1% on flights, hotels, car rentals
- 1% on all non-gas, non-dining, non-Sam's purchases — weak everyday rate
- Sam's Cash redeemable only at Sam's Club/Walmart — no cash deposit option
- 20.40%/28.40% APR — pay in full monthly
Sam's Club® Mastercard®
5% gas anywhere · 3% dining · 3% at Sam's (Plus) · monthly Sam's Cash · $0 card fee
Apply Now →Bottom Line
The Sam's Club Mastercard is the right card for Sam's Plus members who spend heavily on gas. The 5% at any Mastercard gas station is one of the best gas rates available on a no-annual-fee card, the monthly Sam's Cash structure is more consumer-friendly than Costco's annual certificate, and the 3% on dining adds everyday utility. The meaningful limitations are the 1% in-store rate for Club (non-Plus) members and the absence of any travel category. For road-warriors and commuters who happen to be Sam's Plus members, this card earns its place in the wallet — pair it with a flat-rate card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash for all non-gas, non-dining purchases.