A Sam’s Club in Miami, July 7, 2025.
Joe Raddle | getty images
Walmart-owned Sam’s Club said Wednesday it will raise its annual membership fee by $10.
Starting on May 1st, the Warehouse Club – which competes directly costco And BJ’s Wholesale Club – Basic membership will be charged $60 per year and $120 for its higher-tier option. It currently charges $50 for club members and $110 for Plus members and the annual fee was last raised in October 2022.
In a statement, Sam’s Club said, “Our membership pricing has been adjusted to support what our members love,” citing its assortment, extended hours and features including better curbside pickup and delivery options.
Still, those new fees will be lower than rival Costco, which charges $65 a year for its basic membership and $130 a year for its higher-tier option. Costco raised its fees in 2024. This fee brings Sam’s Club in line with BJ’s, which charges $60 per year for its basic membership and $120 per year for its higher tier membership.
Sam’s Club is increasing membership fees due to its annual sales and membership increases. Sam’s Club’s net sales in the U.S. rose about 3.1% to $93 billion last fiscal year, according to Walmart’s fourth-quarter earnings report. The growth came in part from a growing digital business: In the holiday quarter, Warehouse Club’s e-commerce sales increased 23% year over year. Store and website visits also increased, with transactions increasing 5.3% year over year in the same quarter.
High gas prices induced by the Iran war have drawn more attention to one of the key benefits of warehouse clubs: cheaper prices at the pump. Gas prices nationwide reached an average of $4.018 this week, according to travel association AAA. This is the highest price since August 2022, when the Russia-Ukraine war sent energy prices soaring.
Sam’s Club hasn’t disclosed its membership numbers, but said it hit a record high in the three-month quarter that ended Jan. 31. According to Mizuho Securities retail analyst David Bellinger, membership for the retailer is estimated to exceed 30 million, with a similar proportion of members choosing the same high-end tier as Costco.
Based on estimates by an equity research firm, the membership fee increase could increase annual membership revenue by more than $200 million. This will result in a 2 percent annual earnings per share increase for parent company Walmart.
The membership fee increase for current members will take effect when they renew at the end of their billing cycle. Sam’s Club said it emailed members Tuesday about the fee increase.
As part of the fee change, Sam’s Club said its higher-tier tier members, called “Plus”, will be able to earn up to $750 per year, up from $500 in Sam’s Cash Rewards on eligible purchases.
