What Credit Cards Does Sam’s Club Accept?
Sam’s Club accepts all major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Unlike some warehouse stores, you are not limited to a single card network.
This makes Sam’s Club much more flexible at checkout compared to competitors like Costco.
Quick Answer: What Credit Cards Does Sam’s Club Take?
- Accepted in-store: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
- Accepted online: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
As long as your card is issued from a U.S.-based account with a physical billing address, it will generally be accepted.
All Payment Methods Accepted at Sam’s Club
In-Club Purchases
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Discover
- Debit cards
- Cash or check
- Walmart and Sam’s Club gift cards
- Sam’s Club credit card
- Walmart credit card
- Prepaid credit cards
- SNAP/EBT (in-club only)
Online Purchases (SamsClub.com)
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Discover
- Debit cards
- Sam’s Club gift cards
- Sam’s Club credit card
Note: PayPal is not accepted, and international credit cards are not supported.
Why Sam’s Club Accepts More Credit Cards
Unlike Costco, which has an exclusive agreement with Visa, Sam’s Club does not limit itself to a single payment network. This allows them to accept all major credit cards and provide more flexibility to members.
For shoppers, this means you can use whichever card you already have without needing to apply for a new one.
Sam’s Club vs Costco: Key Difference
- Sam’s Club: Accepts all major credit cards
- Costco: Only accepts Visa credit cards in-store
This difference is important if you shop at both stores. At Costco, you must have a Visa card, while Sam’s Club gives you more freedom to choose.
Best Credit Card to Use at Sam’s Club
Since Sam’s Club accepts all major credit cards, the best card to use is simply the one that gives you the highest rewards for your spending.
This could be a cashback card, travel rewards card, or even a store-branded card depending on your goals.
If you also shop at Costco, you may want to consider a Visa card so you can use it at both stores without restrictions.
What If Your Card Isn’t Accepted?
If your card is declined, it’s usually due to one of these reasons:
- The card is issued outside the U.S.
- The billing address cannot be verified
- The payment method is not supported (such as PayPal)
In those cases, switching to another major credit card or debit card should resolve the issue.
Bottom Line
Sam’s Club accepts all major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, both in-store and online.
This makes it one of the most flexible warehouse clubs when it comes to payment options, especially compared to Costco’s Visa-only policy.
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FICO® Credit Scores
A FICO® Score is a proprietary credit score created by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). About 90% of top U.S. lenders use it to make lending decisions.
FICO® Score Ranges:
- Exceptional: 800–850
- Very Good: 740–799
- Good: 670–739
- Fair: 580–669
- Poor: 300–579
FICO categorizes scores as Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, and Exceptional.
What is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a three-digit number (300–850) predicting your creditworthiness. Lenders use it to evaluate risk and determine rates and terms for credit.
Why it matters: A higher score can help you qualify for loans and lower interest rates. A lower score can lead to higher borrowing costs or application denials.
FICO® Credit Score Facts
- Three-Digit Number: Summarizes your credit risk.
- Range: 300–850; higher scores = lower risk.
- Data Source: Uses your credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
- Industry Standard: Lenders rely on FICO for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards.
Note: Credit scores reflect your creditworthiness but do not guarantee approval for any credit product.
Security Notice: All participating issuers use secure application systems protected by Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption to help protect your information.
*See the online credit card applications for details about terms and conditions of credit card offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. When you click on the " Apply Now " button you can review the credit card terms and conditions on the credit card issuer's web site.
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