Sam's Club Credit Cards Don't Work at Walmart
No, you cannot use a Sam's Club Mastercard at Walmart. Sam's Club issues two credit cards — the Sam's Club Mastercard and the Sam's Club Business Mastercard — and both are restricted to purchases made at Sam's Club locations and on the Sam's Club website. Walmart does not accept them, even though Walmart owns Sam's Club.
This restriction exists because the cards are co-branded with Mastercard specifically for the Sam's Club ecosystem. The rewards structure, cardholder benefits, and merchant agreements all tie to Sam's Club transactions only. Using the card anywhere else — including Walmart, Amazon, or other retailers — will be declined at the point of sale.
If you want a card that works at both Sam's Club and Walmart, you would need to carry two separate cards or use a different payment method at Walmart.
Key Takeaways
- Sam's Club Mastercards are declined at Walmart, Target, and all non-Sam's Club retailers because the cards are restricted to Sam's Club purchases only.
- Walmart owns Sam's Club but operates them as separate businesses with separate payment networks, so membership at one does not grant benefits at the other.
- The Sam's Club Mastercard earns rewards only on Sam's Club purchases, so using it elsewhere would not earn points even if it were accepted.
- If you shop at both retailers regularly, you can carry both a Sam's Club card and a Walmart credit card, or use a general rewards card at Walmart.
Why Sam's Club Cards Are Restricted to Sam's Club
The restriction is built into the card's merchant agreement with Mastercard and Sam's Club. When you apply for a Sam's Club Mastercard, you are signing up for a card designed specifically to reward Sam's Club shopping. The card's rewards rate, annual fee structure, and cardholder perks all assume you are using it only at Sam's Club.
Sam's Club also uses this restriction to drive membership value. Part of the appeal of a Sam's Club membership is the exclusive benefits tied to that membership — including a co-branded credit card that offers rewards only there. If the card worked everywhere, it would dilute the reason to maintain a Sam's Club membership in the first place.
From a technical standpoint, the card's merchant code is set to Sam's Club only. When you swipe or insert the card at a Walmart register, the payment processor checks the merchant code, sees it does not match Sam's Club, and declines the transaction automatically.
What You Can Use at Walmart Instead
Walmart accepts all major credit cards — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover — as well as debit cards, prepaid cards, and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can also use the Walmart credit card (issued by Capital One) or the Walmart Rewards card if you want to earn rewards on Walmart purchases.
If you do not have a Walmart-specific card, any Visa or Mastercard will work. Many general rewards cards — such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the American Express Blue Cash Preferred — also work at Walmart and may offer rewards rates that make sense for your spending.
The key difference is that your Sam's Club card will not work there, so you will need a separate payment method for Walmart purchases.
Sam's Club Membership vs. Walmart Membership
Sam's Club and Walmart are separate membership-based retailers, even though Walmart owns Sam's Club. A Sam's Club membership does not give you any discounts or benefits at Walmart, and a Walmart+ subscription does not work at Sam's Club. They operate as distinct businesses with separate loyalty programs, pricing, and payment systems.
This separation is why the credit cards are also separate. The Sam's Club Mastercard is tied to your Sam's Club membership and rewards your Sam's Club spending. If you want rewards at Walmart, you would need to use a different card or sign up for Walmart's rewards program.
Some people maintain memberships at both retailers because they offer different products, pricing, and bulk quantities. If you do, you will need to manage two separate payment methods and two separate rewards accounts.
Sam's Club Card Rewards and Where They Apply
The Sam's Club Mastercard earns cash back on all Sam's Club purchases. The exact rate depends on which version of the card you hold — the standard card and the Business card have different reward structures. Both cards also offer additional benefits like extended warranties, purchase protection, and travel benefits, but these apply to any purchase made with the card, not just Sam's Club purchases.
However, since the card is declined everywhere except Sam's Club, you cannot use it to earn rewards anywhere else. You cannot earn Sam's Club cash back at Walmart, grocery stores, gas stations, or online retailers. The rewards are locked to Sam's Club transactions only.
If you want to earn rewards at Walmart, you would need to use a different card that Walmart accepts and that offers rewards on Walmart purchases.
Using Other Payment Methods at Sam's Club
You do not have to use the Sam's Club Mastercard to shop at Sam's Club. The warehouse accepts all major credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, and digital wallets. You can pay with a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card issued by any bank.
The Sam's Club Mastercard is optional and is designed for members who want to earn cash back on their Sam's Club purchases. If you prefer to use a different card — such as a general rewards card or a card issued by your own bank — you can do so without any penalty or restriction.
The only advantage of the Sam's Club card is the rewards rate and the cardholder benefits. If those do not appeal to you, or if you prefer to use a card that works at multiple retailers, you can skip the Sam's Club card entirely and use whatever payment method you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Sam's Club card at Walmart.com?
No. The Sam's Club Mastercard is restricted to Sam's Club locations and Sam's Club's website only. Walmart.com is a separate website and will not accept the card. You would need to use a different payment method on Walmart.com.
Will my Sam's Club membership get me discounts at Walmart?
No. Sam's Club and Walmart are separate retailers with separate memberships and separate pricing. A Sam's Club membership does not give you any benefits at Walmart stores or on Walmart.com. You would need a separate Walmart+ subscription or Walmart account to receive Walmart-specific benefits.
What credit card works at both Sam's Club and Walmart?
No single co-branded card works at both retailers. You would need to carry two cards — the Sam's Club Mastercard for Sam's Club purchases and a different card (such as a Walmart card or a general rewards card) for Walmart purchases. Alternatively, you can use any major credit card at either retailer.
Can I use my Sam's Club card at other stores if I call Sam's Club first?
No. The card's merchant restrictions are built into the payment network and cannot be overridden by a phone call. The card will be declined at any retailer other than Sam's Club, regardless of whether you contact Sam's Club in advance.
Does the Sam's Club card have an annual fee?
The standard Sam's Club Mastercard has no annual fee. The Sam's Club Business Mastercard also has no annual fee. However, both cards require an active Sam's Club membership, which does have an annual membership fee that varies by membership tier.