What the Sam's Club credit card is and who issues it
The Sam's Club credit card is a Mastercard issued by Synchrony Bank, not by Sam's Club itself. You use it like any other credit card — swipe it at checkout, pay a monthly bill — but it's designed to reward you for spending at Sam's Club and at Mastercard merchants everywhere. The card comes in two versions: one for Sam's Club members and one for non-members, though the non-member version has lower rewards.
Synchrony Bank handles your account, your billing, and your credit line. Sam's Club handles the rewards program and the membership connection. This matters because if you have a question about your credit limit or a late payment, you call Synchrony. If you want to know whether a purchase earns bonus points, you check Sam's Club's rewards terms.
Key Takeaways
- The Sam's Club credit card earns cash back on purchases at Sam's Club and at other Mastercard merchants, but the rate is higher at Sam's Club.
- There is no annual fee, but you must be a Sam's Club member to get the highest rewards rate — non-members can still get the card but earn less.
- Cash back is paid as a statement credit or deposited to your bank account, not as points you redeem later.
- Like all credit cards, the card charges interest on balances you don't pay in full each month, and the rate varies based on your credit history.
- You can check your rewards balance and redeem cash back through your Synchrony online account or the Sam's Club app.
Rewards rates and how cash back works
The Sam's Club credit card earns cash back at different rates depending on where you spend. At Sam's Club locations and on Sam's Club's website, members earn 5% cash back on the first $6,000 spent per year, then 1% after that. Non-members earn 1% everywhere. Outside Sam's Club, cardholders earn 1% cash back on all other Mastercard purchases.
Cash back is not points you collect and redeem for merchandise. It is actual money back. You can choose to have it applied as a statement credit (which reduces your bill) or transferred to your bank account. Most people let it sit as a statement credit and use it to pay down their balance. You can check your current cash back total in your Synchrony account online or through the Sam's Club mobile app.
The 5% rate at Sam's Club only applies to in-club and online purchases. Gas, pharmacy, and food court purchases at Sam's Club do not earn the higher rate — they earn 1% like everything else outside the club. Read the full rewards terms on Synchrony's website before you sign up if you spend heavily in those departments.
Annual fees and other costs
The Sam's Club credit card has no annual fee. You pay nothing just to hold the card. However, if you carry a balance from month to month, you will pay interest. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) depends on your credit score and credit history. Synchrony does not publish a single rate — it varies by person.
If you make a late payment, Synchrony charges a late fee. The amount depends on how late you are and your account history, but it typically ranges from $25 to $40 for the first late payment. Missing a payment also damages your credit score, which can raise your interest rate on this card and on other credit products.
There are no foreign transaction fees if you use the card outside the United States, which is useful if you travel. There is also no fee for balance transfers or cash advances, though cash advances do charge interest from the day you take them.
How to open an account and what you need
You can open a Sam's Club credit card account online through Synchrony's website, through the Sam's Club app, or in person at a Sam's Club location. The online process takes about 10 minutes. You will need your Social Security number, a current address, and information about your income and employment.
Synchrony will check your credit report to decide whether to approve you and what credit limit to offer. This is called a hard inquiry and it shows up on your credit report. If you are approved, your card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your card number to make online purchases before the physical card arrives.
If you are not a Sam's Club member, you can still open the credit card account, but you will earn lower rewards rates. A Sam's Club membership costs money (Gold Star membership is the basic tier), so factor that into whether the card makes sense for you. If you already have a membership, the credit card is free to add.
Interest rates, credit limits, and how your credit score affects your offer
Synchrony sets your credit limit based on your credit score, income, and credit history. If you have good credit (usually a score of 670 or higher), you are more likely to get a higher limit and a lower interest rate. If your score is lower, your limit may be smaller and your rate higher.
The APR for purchases is not fixed — Synchrony can raise it if you miss a payment or if your credit score drops significantly. You can see your current APR in your account online. If you think your rate is too high, you can call Synchrony and ask for a review, though they are not required to lower it.
If you carry a balance, the interest compounds daily. This means the longer you carry a balance, the more interest you owe. The best way to avoid interest is to pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. If you can only pay part of the balance, pay as much as you can — even small extra payments reduce the interest you owe over time.
How the Sam's Club card compares to other warehouse and grocery cards
Other warehouse clubs and grocery chains offer their own credit cards. Costco's Anywhere Visa card earns 2% cash back at Costco and 1% elsewhere, but it requires a Costco membership and has an annual fee. Kroger's credit card earns fuel points and discounts on groceries but does not earn cash back in the same way. Target's card earns 5% off purchases but only at Target.
The Sam's Club card's advantage is that it has no annual fee and works as a regular Mastercard everywhere, not just at one retailer. The disadvantage is that the 5% rate only applies to the first $6,000 per year at Sam's Club — after that, you earn 1%. If you spend more than $6,000 per year at Sam's Club, you might get better value from a different card for the spending above that threshold.
If you shop at multiple retailers, a general cash back card (like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or the Capital One SavorOne) might earn you more overall, even if the rate is lower at each individual store. The math depends on where you spend most of your money. Use a rewards calculator or track your own spending for a month to see which card would pay you back the most.
What happens if you miss a payment or carry a balance
If you miss your payment due date, Synchrony reports the late payment to the credit bureaus after 30 days. This damages your credit score and stays on your credit report for seven years. A single 30-day late payment can drop your score by 100 points or more, depending on your current score.
If you are more than 60 days late, Synchrony may freeze your account and stop allowing new purchases. If you are more than 120 days late, Synchrony may close the account and send it to a collection agency. At that point, a debt collector can sue you to recover the money.
If you are struggling to pay, contact Synchrony before you miss a payment. They may offer a hardship program that lowers your interest rate or lets you make smaller payments for a set period. These programs are not automatic — you have to ask. The sooner you call, the more options you have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Sam's Club credit card outside of Sam's Club?
Yes. The card is a Mastercard, so you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted. You earn 1% cash back on non-Sam's Club purchases. The higher 5% rate only applies to purchases made at Sam's Club locations and on Sam's Club's website.
What is the difference between the Sam's Club card for members and non-members?
Members earn 5% cash back on the first $6,000 per year at Sam's Club, then 1% after that. Non-members earn 1% everywhere. Both versions have no annual fee. If you do not have a Sam's Club membership, the card is still worth considering if you spend enough elsewhere to earn cash back, but the math usually favors a general cash back card instead.
How long does it take to get cash back from the Sam's Club credit card?
Cash back is calculated and posted to your account each month. You can see your current balance in your Synchrony account online. You can redeem it as a statement credit (applied to your bill) or transfer it to your bank account. Transfers usually take one to three business days.
What happens to my rewards if I close my account?
Any cash back you have earned but not yet redeemed is forfeited when you close the account. Redeem your cash back before you close the account if you want to keep it. Future purchases earn no rewards once the account is closed.
Does the Sam's Club credit card charge interest on cash back rewards?
No. Cash back is not a loan or a credit — it is money you have earned. Interest only applies to the purchases you make and any balance you carry. Cash back itself does not accrue interest.