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For U.S. shoppers, Costco is $5 more per year at either standard tier: Gold Star costs $65 and Executive $130, compared with Sam’s Club at $60 for Club and $120 for Plus. Both premium upgrades offer a 2% reward on qualifying purchases, but their fees, reward caps, and service benefits differ. The better value depends on eligible spending and which services your household will actually use.
Prices and benefits below reflect official U.S. membership pages checked October 4, 2026. Fees and terms can change; check the retailer’s current checkout and benefit terms before joining or renewing.
How much do Costco and Sam’s Club memberships cost per year?
| Retailer | Standard tier | Annual fee | Premium tier | Annual fee | Premium upgrade cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costco | Gold Star | $65 | Executive | $130 | $65 |
| Sam’s Club | Club | $60 | Plus | $120 | $60 |
Costco’s listed fees are before applicable sales tax. Sam’s Club’s standard fees are $60 for Club and $120 for Plus; the increase to those amounts took effect May 1, 2026, according to Axios. A new-member offer may reduce Sam’s Club’s first-year price, but it is not the standard renewal fee. Check eligibility, the renewal amount, and auto-renew terms at checkout.
Official fee pages: Costco membership and Sam’s Club membership.
#1 Best Overall
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
What do the premium memberships add?
Costco Executive
Executive costs $65 more per year than Gold Star. It earns a 2% annual reward on qualifying purchases at Costco, Costco.com, and Costco Travel, with a stated maximum reward of $1,250. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply; not every purchase qualifies. Costco also advertises a conditional $10 monthly credit on an eligible SameDay.Costco.com order of $150 or more. Terms apply, so count that credit only if your order and use meet the current conditions.
Costco’s reward terms and current benefits are on its membership page and membership FAQ.
Rank #2
- If they treat wholesale clubs like Disneyland, this card is their dream come true.
- The card is made of 300GSM material, with exquisite workmanship, high quality, smooth writing and no paper jam, making it your first choice
- Every card we create is a singular artwork, ensuring your blessings shine with both warmth and originality.
- Ample blank space inside allows you to pen your own heartfelt thank-you, favorite memories, making your wishes more warm and creative
- Thanks for visiting our shop! If you receive damaged products or other problems, you can contact us.
Sam’s Club Plus
Plus costs $60 more per year than Club. Sam’s Club describes a 2% Sam’s Cash reward on qualifying purchases, capped at $750 per 12-month membership period. Its help page describes qualifying in-club purchases; check the current detailed terms for eligible transaction types and exclusions.
Plus also lists free shipping on eligible orders over $50, free delivery from club on eligible orders over $50, early shopping, and additional pharmacy, optical, and tire and battery benefits. Service availability and conditions apply. See the membership benefits and Sam’s Cash terms.
Rank #3
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
How much do you need to spend for the 2% reward to cover the upgrade?
The basic calculation is the annual premium-tier fee difference divided by the 2% reward rate. These are reward-only break-even amounts calculated from the stated fees and rates—not guaranteed returns or retailer-published promises.
| Upgrade | Extra annual fee | Qualifying annual spend to match fee at 2% |
|---|---|---|
| Costco Gold Star to Executive | $65 | $3,250 |
| Sam’s Club Club to Plus | $60 | $3,000 |
The arithmetic assumes the full stated reward rate applies to the spend. Exclusions, timing, and how you use the reward can change the practical value. A benefit you would not otherwise use should not be counted as savings; conversely, a service you value may justify an upgrade even if your qualifying spend falls below the reward-only threshold.
Rank #4
- Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- Double check if the URL/website is genuine before entering card details online. Do not provide any gift card details (example: claim code) to someone you do not know or trust. There are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- If you believe that your Card has been lost or stolen, notify Mastercard immediately by calling 1-833-791-7288. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Mastercard Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted, including online. Your Amazon.com Balance cannot be used to purchase Mastercard gift cards.
What do the base memberships include?
Sam’s Club Club
Sam’s Club lists fuel savings, Scan & Go, two membership cards, and curbside pickup with Club. Curbside pickup is free on eligible orders over $50, according to the retailer’s benefits page.
Costco Gold Star
Costco’s household-card rule allows the primary member to designate one additional household member for a card. That person must be at least 16 and live at the same address. See Costco’s membership FAQ. The retailers describe card eligibility differently, so do not assume the rules are interchangeable.
Best Value
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
Comparing pickup and household cards
Sam’s Club lists two cards for both Club and Plus, with curbside pickup available at different thresholds: eligible Club orders must exceed $50, while Plus has no minimum for that benefit. Location and service conditions apply. Costco’s additional-card rule is based on household and address eligibility.
Costco membership vs. Sam’s Club: which is better?
There is no universal winner established by the fee and benefit terms alone. Choose by matching the membership rules to your household’s actual shopping and service use:
- Estimate qualifying spend: Use only purchases that count toward the relevant 2% reward, not all grocery or online spending automatically.
- Check delivery and pickup habits: Compare whether you use eligible services, meet order thresholds, and live where the service is available.
- Consider fuel access: A fuel benefit matters only if a participating station is convenient and you use it.
- Value services you will use: Check whether Costco services or Sam’s Club pharmacy, optical, tire, or battery benefits fit your needs.
- Factor in household eligibility and convenience: Compare who can use the included cards, as well as nearby locations, hours, and your shopping routine.
- Separate the first year from renewal: Compare any temporary sign-up offer with the standard recurring fee and renewal terms.
The official pages establish membership fees and benefit terms, not which retailer has lower prices for your basket or better product quality. That comparison depends on local availability and the items you actually buy.
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Is either membership refundable?
Sam’s Club states that members who are unsatisfied may cancel and receive a refund of the amount paid for the current year’s membership fee. The stated guarantee has exceptions for memberships bought through the sponsored membership program and limits Plus cancellations to one per household or business per year. Review the official membership terms for current conditions.
