Costco vs Sam's Club vs BJ's: warehouse club memberships compared
Basic memberships cost $60 to $65 a year, and Sam's Club Plus now includes Walmart+ for $120. We've compared fees, the 2% rewards and their caps, and when an upgrade pays for itself.
50% of our commission goes to .Change
Pick a charity and we'll give them 50% of our commission.
A warehouse club membership can pay for itself quickly if you buy in bulk, but the three big clubs now price their basic and premium tiers very differently. Sam's Club has just added Walmart+ to its top tier at no extra cost, Costco's upgrade pays back up to $1,250 a year, and BJ's sits in between.
We've compared Costco, Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale Club memberships using their own websites, checked on October 26, 2026. BJ's membership pages blocked us, so its figures come from BJ's own investor and newsroom announcements. Fees can be subject to sales tax.
At a glance
- Cheapest basic membership: Sam's Club and BJ's, both $60 a year, against $65 at Costco.
- Best premium tier for most households: Sam's Club Plus at $120, which now includes Walmart+ (worth $98 on its own).
- Biggest rewards: Costco Executive at $130, with a 2% annual reward of up to $1,250.
- Lowest rewards cap: BJ's Club+ at $120, with 2% back capped at $500 a year.
- Break-even: at 2% back, each club's $60 to $65 upgrade pays for itself at about $3,000 to $3,250 of qualifying spending a year.
Memberships compared
| Costco | Sam's Club | BJ's | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic membership | Gold Star, $65 | Club, $60 | Club, $60 |
| Premium membership | Executive, $130 | Plus, $120 | Club+, $120 |
| Premium rewards | 2%, up to $1,250 a year | Up to 2% Sam's Cash, up to $750 a year | 2%, up to $500 a year |
| Spend to cover the upgrade at 2% | $3,250 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Extra cards | One free Household Card | Second membership card included | Not confirmed |
| Premium extras | Upgrade fee prorated if you join mid-year | Walmart+, free shipping over $50, early hours | 5 cents a gallon off at BJ's Gas, 2 free same-day deliveries a year |
Costco
A Costco Gold Star membership is $65 a year and includes one free Household Card for someone in your home. The Executive membership costs $130, an extra $65, and earns an annual 2% reward on qualifying Costco purchases, capped at $1,250 in any 12-month period.
Not everything counts. Costco's terms exclude gas, Costco Shop Cards, postage stamps, cellphones and phone plans, food court purchases, membership fees, and tax and shipping. Only purchases by the primary cardholder and the household cardholder count, and purchases made before you upgrade don't qualify. Costco also says the reward isn't guaranteed to be equal to or more than the upgrade fee.
New members who take an Executive membership and are approved for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi can get a $65 Digital Costco Shop Card, according to Costco's join page.
Sam's Club
Sam's Club's basic Club membership is $60 a year, the same as BJ's. The big change is at the top. From October 20, Sam's Club Plus, at $120 a year, includes all Walmart+ benefits: free delivery from Walmart on orders over $35, gas savings of up to 10 cents a gallon, and Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential with ads. Walmart+ costs $98 a year on its own, so the Sam's Club part of Plus effectively costs $22.
Plus members also get up to 2% back in Sam's Cash on qualifying purchases in the club, up to $750 a year, free shipping on eligible orders over $50, free same-day or next-day delivery from their local club on orders over $50 (Club members pay $12), shopping up to an hour early, and savings at the pharmacy, optical center and Sam's Garage. Both tiers include a second membership card and member-only fuel prices.
BJ's Wholesale Club
BJ's raised its fees on January 1, 2025, to $60 for Club and $120 for Club+, according to its own results announcement. Club+ members earn 2% back on eligible purchases, capped at $500 in any 12-month period, which BJ's says excludes gas, membership fees, gift cards and alcohol. Club+ also gets 5 cents a gallon off at BJ's Gas and, since 2025, two free same-day deliveries a year on orders of $50 or more. BJ's often runs cheaper introductory offers when it opens new clubs, so check for a local deal.
Which club is best for you?
- Costco if you spend heavily. The Executive reward has by far the highest cap, so big spenders can earn up to $1,250 a year. But it has the highest basic fee, and plenty of purchases don't earn the reward.
- Sam's Club if you'd use Walmart+. Plus at $120 gets you two memberships for not much more than Walmart+ alone. But Sam's Cash is capped at $750, and the full 2% isn't on everything.
- BJ's if there's a club nearby and you buy gas there. But its 2% reward stops at $500 a year, the lowest of the three.
How to decide
- Add up a year of shopping. Look at what you'd actually buy at the club, then compare it with your usual store prices.
- Start on the basic tier. Costco and Sam's Club both let you upgrade later, and Costco prorates the upgrade fee for the months left on your membership.
- Check the exclusions. Gas, gift cards and some other categories don't earn rewards at any of the three.
- Count the extras. If you'd pay for Walmart+ anyway, Sam's Club Plus changes the math.
- Share the membership. Costco's free Household Card and Sam's Club's second card mean two people in your household can shop.
FAQs
Do basic Sam's Club members get free delivery?
Not from the club. Sam's Club charges Club members a $12 fee for same-day or next-day delivery from their local club, which is free for Plus members on eligible orders over $50.
What happens if I don't earn back the upgrade fee?
Costco's terms say the reward isn't guaranteed to match the upgrade fee. If you're not sure, start on the basic tier and upgrade once you know how much you spend.
Is the Sam's Club Plus and Walmart+ deal for existing members?
Yes. Walmart says existing Sam's Club Plus members can activate Walmart+ at no extra cost, and Walmart+ annual members can switch to the combined membership for $22 more a year.
Sources: Costco: join Costco, Costco: Executive rewards, Sam's Club: membership, Walmart+, Walmart: Walmart+ and Sam's Club Plus for $120, BJ's: third quarter fiscal 2024 results, BJ's: Louisville opening and Club+ rewards
The Thursday email
Every Thursday: the best codes from the brands you shop at. After you sign up, pick your brands and whether you want codes, hot deals, free delivery or student offers. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.
Keep reading
Amazon Prime vs Walmart+ vs Target Circle 360: which membership is worth it?
Walmart+ is $98 a year, Target Circle 360 is $99 (or $49 with a Circle Card) and Prime is $139. We've compared delivery minimums, extras and Black Friday early access.
Mike Dodd
VPN prices compared: Surfshark vs Proton VPN vs FastestVPN, from $19.95 for two years
VPN deals look cheap until you see the upfront bill and the renewal price. We've compared Surfshark, Proton VPN and FastestVPN in US dollars, including what you'll pay when your plan renews.
Mike Dodd
Streaming prices compared: Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+ and Prime Video
After a year of price rises, ad plans start at $8.99 a month and Netflix Premium tops out at $26.99. We've compared every major plan, the annual options and the bundles that cost less.
Mike Dodd