For U.S. shoppers, Costco’s standard memberships cost $65 a year for Gold Star and $130 for Executive; Sam’s Club costs $60 for Club and $120 for Plus. The higher tiers add purchase rewards and other benefits, but neither is automatically the better deal: compare the reward-eligible spending you expect with the extra fee, then factor in services, delivery, fuel and local convenience.
How much do Costco and Sam’s Club memberships cost per year?
The standard annual fees below are for U.S. consumer memberships, based on each retailer’s membership page checked October 4, 2026. Costco fees may be subject to applicable sales tax. Sam’s Club confirmed its standard fee increase took effect May 1, 2026 (Axios).
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Retailer | Base tier | Premium tier | Extra cost for premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco | Gold Star: $65/year | Executive: $130/year | $65/year |
| Sam’s Club | Club: $60/year | Plus: $120/year | $60/year |
Sam’s Club may show limited-time prices for eligible new members. Treat those as introductory offers, not the standard recurring fee; check the offer’s eligibility, renewal price and auto-renew terms at checkout. Costco’s current fees and tier details are on its membership page; Sam’s Club lists its tiers on its join page.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →What do the premium tiers 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, up to a stated maximum reward of $1,250. Qualifying-purchase rules and exclusions apply; not every purchase necessarily earns the reward. Costco’s membership page also advertises a $10 monthly credit on an eligible SameDay.Costco.com order of $150 or more. That credit is conditional, so count it only if your order qualifies and you would use it anyway.
#1 Best Overall
Sam’s Club Plus
Plus costs $60 more per year than Club. Sam’s Club describes 2% Sam’s Cash on qualifying purchases, capped at $750 per 12-month membership period. Purchase types and exclusions matter; check the current benefit terms rather than assuming all spending earns Sam’s Cash.
Plus also includes free shipping on eligible orders over $50, free delivery from club on eligible orders over $50, early shopping, and additional pharmacy, optical, tire and battery benefits. Conditions and service availability apply. Details are on the Sam’s Club benefits page and its Plus help page.
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 much spending makes the reward cover the upgrade?
Using only the stated 2% reward and the difference between the standard tier fees, the arithmetic break-even is $3,250 in qualifying annual spend for Costco Executive ($65 ÷ 0.02) and $3,000 for Sam’s Club Plus ($60 ÷ 0.02). These are calculations, not guaranteed returns or retailer promises. They assume the full spend qualifies and do not account for exclusions, reward timing, tax treatment or whether you can use other tier benefits.
Recommended Free Tools
Use qualifying spend—not total household spending—in the calculation. Excluded transactions, different purchasing patterns and a reward cap may change the practical value. A simple estimate is:
Rank #3
- Review a year of receipts or card statements for purchases you expect to make at that warehouse.
- Remove purchases that do not qualify under the retailer’s current reward terms.
- Multiply the remaining annual spend by 0.02, then compare that estimate with the premium tier’s extra annual fee.
- Separately value any delivery, shipping or service benefit only if you would use it and meet its conditions.
Costco’s stated reward cap is $1,250; Sam’s Club’s stated Sam’s Cash cap is $750 per 12-month membership period. These limits and qualifying-purchase terms mean a higher spend does not translate to an unlimited reward.
What do the base memberships include?
Sam’s Club lists fuel savings, Scan & Go, two membership cards and curbside pickup with both Club and Plus. Club curbside pickup is free on eligible orders over $50; Plus has no minimum for that benefit, according to the retailer’s benefits page and help page.
Rank #4
At Costco, a primary member may designate one additional household member for a card. That person must be at least 16 and live at the same address, according to Costco’s membership FAQ. The retailers describe household-card eligibility differently, so check each policy against who in your household needs a card.
Which membership is better for your household?
There is no universal winner established by membership fees and benefit terms alone. Those terms do not show which store has lower prices on your actual basket, nor do they measure the value of nearby locations or product quality. Compare the practical fit on these points:
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Space-Saving Design: Adds extra storage space without taking up cart room, keeping your snacks, phone and small items organized and within reach during shopping trips.
- Perfect Fit: Specifically designed to clip securely onto the latest carts, ensuring a snug, stable fit that won’t wobble while pushing the cart.
- Multi-Functional Storage: Features a tray, cup holder and built-in clip, providing versatile storage for snacks, drinks, phone, membership cards and receipts.Utilizes 3D-printed structural technology.
- Easy to Install: Simple clip-on design, no extra tools needed, just attach it to the cart firmly—takes only seconds to set up and use. Utilizes 3D-printed structural technology.
- Important Note: This is a third-party replacement part, Brand names are used only to indicate Compatible with Costco, This product is not affiliated with or endorsed by any brand owner.
- Qualifying annual spend: Estimate reward-eligible purchases for the specific retailer and tier, not all grocery, fuel or online spending by default.
- Delivery and pickup: Check whether your address is served, your typical order qualifies and the minimums fit how you shop.
- Fuel: A fuel benefit matters only if a participating station is convenient and you use it regularly.
- Services: Count pharmacy, optical, tire, battery or other service benefits only when they apply to your needs and location.
- Household access and convenience: Consider card eligibility, nearby clubs, opening hours and your usual shopping routine.
- First year versus renewal: Compare an introductory offer, if available to you, separately from the standard annual fee you may pay later.
Can you get a Sam’s Club membership fee refunded?
Sam’s Club says it will cancel a membership and refund the amount paid for the current membership year if a member is unsatisfied. Its terms exclude memberships bought through the sponsored membership program and limit Plus cancellations to one per household or business per year. Review the current official membership terms before relying on the guarantee.
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.
