No, your Sam's Club credit card will not work at Walmart
The Sam's Club Mastercard is issued by Synchrony Bank and works only at Sam's Club locations and on Sam's Club's website. You cannot use it at Walmart, Walmart.com, or any other retailer. If you try to swipe or insert it at a Walmart checkout, it will be declined.
This is different from a regular Mastercard. Even though the Sam's Club card carries the Mastercard logo, Synchrony has restricted it to Sam's Club merchants only. The restriction is built into how the card processes at the payment terminal.
If you need a card that works at both Sam's Club and Walmart, you will need to carry two separate cards or use a different payment method at Walmart.
Key Takeaways
- The Sam's Club Mastercard only works at Sam's Club locations and Sam's Club online, not at Walmart or other stores.
- You can use a regular Mastercard, Visa, or Discover card at Walmart, but not the Sam's Club-branded version.
- Walmart has its own credit card (Walmart Credit Card) if you want rewards specifically at Walmart.
- Debit cards, cash, and other payment methods work at both retailers without restriction.
What the Sam's Club Mastercard actually covers
The Sam's Club Mastercard gives you cash back rewards on purchases made at Sam's Club. The exact cash back rate depends on which version of the card you hold — the standard card, the Sam's Club Business Mastercard, or the Sam's Club Mastercard for Sam's Club Plus members.
You can use the card at any Sam's Club warehouse location in the United States and on Sam's Club's website. You can also use it to pay your Sam's Club membership fee. That is the full scope of where the card works.
The card does not work at Sam's Club gas stations, even though those are located at Sam's Club properties. You will need a different payment method for fuel.
Payment methods that work at both Sam's Club and Walmart
If you shop at both retailers and want one card, use a standard Mastercard, Visa, American Express, or Discover card that is not tied to a specific store. These cards work everywhere that accepts credit cards, including both Sam's Club and Walmart.
Debit cards connected to your bank account work at both stores as well. You can also pay with cash, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or other digital wallets at either location.
The only restriction is the Sam's Club-branded card itself. A regular Mastercard works fine at Walmart; it is the Sam's Club Mastercard specifically that does not.
Walmart's own credit card option
Walmart offers the Walmart Credit Card, issued by Capital One, which gives you rewards on Walmart purchases. This card works at Walmart and Walmart.com, plus Sam's Club and Sam's Club.com. It also works at other retailers that accept Mastercard.
The Walmart card is a true Mastercard with no merchant restrictions, so it is more flexible than the Sam's Club card. If you want a single card that earns rewards at both Walmart and Sam's Club, the Walmart Credit Card is a better choice than the Sam's Club Mastercard.
You can hold both cards if you want — the Sam's Club card for Sam's Club purchases and the Walmart card for Walmart purchases — but you do not need to. Either card alone will work at both stores.
How to check which card you have
Look at the front of your card. If it says "Sam's Club Mastercard" or "Sam's Club Business Mastercard," it is restricted to Sam's Club only. If it says "Walmart Credit Card" or just shows a Mastercard or Visa logo without a store name, it will work at Walmart and other retailers.
You can also call the number on the back of your card and ask the issuer directly. For the Sam's Club card, you will reach Synchrony. For the Walmart card, you will reach Capital One.
What happens if you try to use the Sam's Club card at Walmart
The transaction will be declined at the point of sale. The cashier will see a message that the card is not accepted, and you will need to provide a different payment method to complete your purchase.
A declined card does not hurt your credit score or your account. It straightforward means the merchant does not accept that particular card. You can try again with a different card or pay another way.
If you are unsure whether your card will work, ask the cashier before you start checking out. They can tell you which payment methods the store accepts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Sam's Club card at Sam's Club gas stations?
No. The Sam's Club Mastercard does not work at Sam's Club fuel centers. You will need to use a different card, debit card, or cash to pay for gas at Sam's Club.
Will the Sam's Club card work at other warehouse clubs like Costco?
No. The card is restricted to Sam's Club only. Costco has its own membership and payment requirements, and the Sam's Club card will not work there.
If I have a Walmart Credit Card, can I use it at Sam's Club?
Yes. The Walmart Credit Card is a full Mastercard with no merchant restrictions, so it works at Sam's Club, Walmart, and any other retailer that accepts Mastercard.
Can I use the Sam's Club card online at Walmart.com?
No. The Sam's Club Mastercard only works on Sam's Club.com. It will be declined if you try to use it at Walmart.com or any other website.
What if I want cash back rewards at both stores?
You can carry both the Sam's Club Mastercard and the Walmart Credit Card. Use the Sam's Club card at Sam's Club and the Walmart card at Walmart to earn rewards at each location. Alternatively, use a general rewards card that works everywhere.