Sam's Club Membership Guide

As one of the top contenders in warehouse shopping, Sam's Club offers plenty of ways to save money and time. Whether you're new to Sam's Club deals or an experienced shopper, this Sam's Club membership shopping guide will show you all the reasons you should be shopping at Sam's — and how to join for at least 50% off.

For up-to-date Sam's Club tips, deal alerts, and a shoppable peek at the Sam's Club monthly ad, be sure to download the KCL app.

Sam's Club Membership Types

Sam's Club offers two membership levels: the Club or the Plus.

The basic Club membership is $50/year at full price. Perks include:

• Instant savings

• Fuel savings

• Tire and Battery Center (free flat repairs)

• Add on up to eight memberships

The upgraded Plus membership is $110/year at full price. You get all the perks of a $50 membership, as well as:

• Earn 2% cash back on qualifying purchases, up to $500/year

• Free shipping with no minimum purchase

• Free curbside pickup

• Early shopping hours from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (two hours before stores open to all members)

• Free select prescriptions: save on select name-brand prescriptions and access over 600 generic prescriptions for $10 or less

• Optical savings: 20% off a complete pair of eyeglasses and free shipping on contact lenses

• Add on up to 16 memberships

How to Join Sam's Club

You can join Sam's Club online or in person at the Member Services desk inside the club.

TIP: If you want the Plus membership and you're joining online, you have to first sign up for the regular membership level, then upgrade. They'll charge you a total of $110 — $50 for the Club membership, and the $60 remaining balance to upgrade.

How to Get a Discounted Sam's Club Membership

Sam's Club offers signup incentives like gift cards and discounts pretty regularly. Basically, if you're not getting some freebies or gift cards back on a $50 membership, wait to sign up.

We frequently see Sam's Club membership deals that could save you anywhere from 50% - 70% on your first year.

Current deal on a new Sam's Club membership:

Pay just $25 for a whole year of basic membership with this latest Sam's Club membership deal — that's 50% off the regular price.

The Plus membership is also on sale for $70 (36% off the regular price).

Savings tip: The lowest we've EVER seen a Sam's Club membership go is $8, but that was last offered in January 2022 and June 2022. We usually see frequent Sam's Club membership deals that drop the price to $20 - $25 for your first year.

Sam's Club Teacher Discount (seasonal)

Only for new members (and only for a two-and-a-half month period each year), you can sign up and get 60% off a Sam's Club membership ($20/year) if you're a teacher or educator. The Sam's Club teacher discount offer was most recently offered July 17 - Sept. 30, 2023, and you had to be a state-licensed or state-certified educator for these grade levels:

• Pre-K - grade 12 classroom teacher

• Pre-K - grade 12 principal or assistant principal

• Pre-K - grade 12 school employee

• College or university professor

How to Get a Sam's Club Guest Membership

Don't want to commit to a Sam's Club membership yet? Sign up for a 24-hour guest membership to shop online without a membership card. A 10% service fee will apply to your order, and you will miss out on member-only pricing, though.

All you have to do is create a guest account when prompted to sign in during checkout. Pickup is not available for guest members. The following areas are exempt from the service fee: California, South Carolina, and Elmsford, NY.

Can I use Sam's Club without a membership?

Without a membership, you can still buy prescriptions and food court items at Sam's Club. You can also buy alcohol without a membership in the following states:

• Arizona

• California

• Connecticut

• Delaware

• Hawaii

• Indiana

• Massachusetts

• Michigan

• Minnesota

• New York

• Texas

• Vermont

TIP: A membership is also not required to see the optometrist at Sam's Club, but you have to be a member to buy optical products from them.