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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFor U.S. shoppers, Sam’s Club has the lower listed annual membership fee at both tiers: Club costs $50 and Plus costs $110. Costco lists Gold Star at $65 and Executive at $130, plus applicable sales tax. Which is the better value depends on your qualifying purchases, nearby locations, and whether you will use the benefits—not just the advertised 2% rewards.
Membership prices and benefits at a glance
The prices below are the listed U.S. annual fees in the sources checked for this comparison. Costco says its current fee schedule took effect September 1, 2024; Walmart’s FY2026 Form 10-K lists Sam’s Club’s fees. Offers and benefit terms can change, so confirm the fee and eligibility at checkout before joining.
| Retailer and tier | Listed annual price | Notable features |
|---|---|---|
| Sam’s Club Club | $50 | Household card, curbside pickup, member fuel pricing, and Scan & Go. Order conditions may apply to pickup and other services. |
| Sam’s Club Plus | $110 | Club benefits, plus 2% Sam’s Cash on qualifying purchases and shipping or delivery benefits subject to current terms. Walmart’s FY2026 filing says Plus members receive free delivery-from-club and free shipping on orders of $50 or more, subject to conditions. |
| Costco Gold Star | $65, plus applicable sales tax | Household card and access to Costco warehouses and online shopping, subject to membership terms. |
| Costco Executive | $130, plus applicable sales tax | Gold Star features, plus a 2% annual reward on qualified purchases, capped at $1,250, and other service and convenience benefits. Costco’s join page lists a $10 monthly credit toward an eligible same-day delivery order of $150 or more. |
Sources: Costco’s join page, Costco’s fee-change notice, and Walmart’s FY2026 Form 10-K.
Which higher tier is worth the extra fee?
Sam’s Club Plus costs $60 more per year than Club, while Costco Executive costs $65 more than Gold Star, before applicable Costco sales tax. Those are the price differences between the listed tiers; they are not guaranteed break-even calculations.
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- 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.
Compare rewards on eligible spending
Both higher tiers advertise a 2% reward, but the programs do not necessarily apply to the same purchases or account activity. Costco’s Executive reward applies to qualified purchases, is subject to exclusions and account-cardholder rules, and is capped at $1,250. Sam’s Club describes Sam’s Cash as applying to qualifying pre-tax purchases, subject to program conditions. Read the current Costco Executive Rewards terms and Sam’s Club shopping-benefit terms before estimating a return.
Count benefits you will actually use
A higher tier can make sense even when rewards alone do not cover its added fee, if you would otherwise pay for a benefit you use. Conversely, a headline reward rate has little value on purchases that do not qualify. Estimate annual eligible spend, check exclusions and caps, then consider shipping, delivery, hours, or other included benefits relevant to your household.
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.
How shopping differs in practice
Sam’s Club: app checkout, fuel, and pickup
Sam’s Club promotes Scan & Go, which lets members scan items in its app while shopping, as well as member fuel pricing. Its benefits page describes curbside pickup. Plus shipping and delivery eligibility depends on current order and item conditions; Walmart’s FY2026 filing specifies free shipping on qualifying orders of $50 or more for Plus members. See Sam’s Club benefits for current details.
Costco: Executive extras and delivery credit
Costco’s join page lists Executive benefits including early hours and a $10 monthly credit toward an eligible same-day delivery order of $150 or more. The credit is not a general discount on every order: order eligibility and other terms apply, and service availability depends on location. Check the current membership details for the terms that apply where you shop.
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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 to choose for your household
- Check local access. Compare the nearest clubs, their hours, and how practical each location is for your regular trips.
- Estimate eligible annual spend. Use likely qualifying purchases—not all household spending—to assess the reward programs, and account for Costco Executive’s cap and each program’s exclusions.
- Match benefits to your routine. Consider whether you value Scan & Go, fuel access, curbside pickup, shipping, delivery, or early hours enough to affect your choice.
- Check service availability and terms. Confirm eligible items, order minimums, delivery area, and pickup conditions for your location before counting a convenience benefit.
- Recheck the checkout price. Confirm current fees, applicable Costco sales tax, and membership terms before paying.
There is no reliable basis here to call one retailer cheaper for a complete shopping basket: that depends on the items, location, and date. Compare the products you actually buy locally rather than inferring total savings from membership prices alone.
Quick Recap
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.
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.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
