Sam’s Club shoppers will soon pay more each year for their annual membership.
The Walmart-owned warehouse store company is raising its basic membership price from $50 to $60 annually starting on May 1.
"Effective May 1, 2026, membership prices will change from $50/year to $60/year for Club members, and from $110/year to $120/year for Plus members," a statement sent to customers, obtained by Southern Living, read. "Plus members will benefit from an increased 2 percent Sam’s Cash™ rewards cap, from $500 to $750 per year."
In a statement to USA Today, the company said they’ve adjusted membership pricing “to support the things our members love.”
The price increase comes as Sam’s Club, known for its competitive prices and bulk items, plans to open six new stores this year in Tennessee, California and Texas.
The change is the first time in four years that Sam’s Club has raised its prices. In 2022, the company increased its fees from $45 to $50 for Club members and from $100 to $110 for Plus members.
The cost to join Sam’s Club is still less than that of its competitors.
A basic membership at BJ’s Wholesale Club costs $60, while its upgraded tier costs $120. A Costco membership costs $65 for its basic membership and $130 for its upgraded tier.
The upgraded memberships at warehouse clubs offer perks such as exclusive shopping hours and rewards. At BJ’s, shoppers with its higher membership get 5 cents off every gallon at its gas stations.
Many shoppers find warehouse clubs such as Sam’s Club worthwhile because they offer competitively priced necessities and gas, and often provide other perks that help to save money.
Last spring, Sam’s Club announced plans to remodel all of its 600 locations across the U.S. over the next eight to 10 years. The remodeled stores will be designed off a Sam’s Club store that opened in Grapevine, Texas, last year.
According to a press release, the investments in these stores are being done to help grow members of Sam’s Club “beyond its physical club footprint.”
“This is one of the fastest, most scalable transformations happening in retail today,” Sam’s Club President and CEO Chris Nicholas said during the meeting. “We’re investing with intention — in our fleet, our associates and the member experience — to become the world’s best club retailer.”
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