The Sam's Club Mastercard works at any store or website that takes Mastercard, not just at Sam's Club

The Sam's Club Mastercard is a Mastercard, which means you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted — grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, online retailers, and thousands of other merchants worldwide. You are not locked into shopping only at Sam's Club. The card works like any other Mastercard in your wallet.

The confusion comes from the name and the rewards structure. Because the card offers bonus cash back at Sam's Club locations, many people assume it only works there. That is not true. You get the same Mastercard network access as someone holding a Chase Sapphire or Bank of America card — the difference is what you earn back when you use it.

The card does have a membership requirement: you must be an active Sam's Club member to hold it. But once you have it, the card itself has no geographic or merchant restrictions beyond what Mastercard itself enforces (which is almost nothing in practice).

Key Takeaways

  • The Sam's Club Mastercard works at any merchant that accepts Mastercard, including restaurants, gas stations, online stores, and competitors like Costco.
  • You earn higher cash back rates at Sam's Club and on gas, but you earn a lower rate on purchases everywhere else.
  • You must maintain an active Sam's Club membership to keep the card open; if your membership lapses, the card may be closed.
  • The card does not work at Costco, Target, or other retailers that have their own co-branded cards, but that is because those retailers do not accept Mastercard — not because the Sam's Club card is restricted.

Where the Sam's Club card earns the most cash back

The card's rewards are tiered by merchant type. You earn the highest rate (currently 5% cash back) on purchases at Sam's Club locations and on gas purchased at any pump. The next tier (2% cash back) covers warehouse clubs other than Sam's Club, plus dining and travel purchases. Everything else earns 1% cash back.

This structure means the card is designed to reward Sam's Club shopping, but it does not restrict where you can use it. You can swipe it at a restaurant and earn 2%, or at a drugstore and earn 1%, without any penalty or rejection. The card will process the same way a standard Mastercard does.

The membership fee for Sam's Club varies by tier (Gold Star, Plus, or Executive) and runs between $45 and $110 per year. The card itself has no annual fee, but you cannot hold it without an active membership.

What happens if you use it at stores that do not take Mastercard

Some retailers do not accept Mastercard at all. Costco is the most common example — Costco has a co-branded American Express card and does not accept Mastercard from any issuer. If you try to use your Sam's Club Mastercard at Costco, it will be declined, but that is Costco's choice, not a restriction on your card.

The same applies to any retailer with a closed payment network. Some gas stations, small businesses, or regional chains may only accept cash, debit cards, or a specific credit card brand. In those cases, your card will not work — but again, that is the merchant's policy, not the card's limitation.

Before you assume a merchant does not take Mastercard, check their website or ask at the register. Most retailers that accept credit cards accept all major brands, including Mastercard.

Using the card online and internationally

The Sam's Club Mastercard works on any website that accepts Mastercard. You can use it for Amazon purchases, airline bookings, subscription services, and any other online merchant. The card number, expiration date, and CVV work the same way they do on any other Mastercard.

Internationally, the card works in any country where Mastercard has a presence, which is most of the world. You will pay a foreign transaction fee (currently 1% of the purchase amount) when you use it outside the United States. Some other Mastercards waive this fee, so if you travel frequently, that is worth comparing before you open the account.

If you are traveling, notify Sam's Club of your trip dates through their app or website, or call the customer service number on the back of your card. This helps prevent fraud blocks that might otherwise decline legitimate purchases abroad.

What to do if the card is declined

If your Sam's Club Mastercard is declined at a merchant that accepts Mastercard, the most common reasons are: your membership has lapsed, you have reached your credit limit, the card has been flagged for fraud, or there is a temporary system issue with the merchant's payment processor.

Check your membership status first by logging into your Sam's Club account or calling their member services line. If your membership is active and your credit limit is available, contact the card issuer (usually Synchrony Bank, depending on your card version) to ask whether there is a fraud hold or other block on the account.

If the merchant's system is the problem, try again in a few minutes or ask to pay with a different card. If the problem persists across multiple merchants, call the card issuer's customer service number on the back of your card.

Comparing the Sam's Club card to other cash back cards

The Sam's Club Mastercard is strongest if you shop at Sam's Club regularly and buy gas frequently. The 5% back on both categories adds up quickly if you spend $100 or more per week at the warehouse. The 2% on dining and travel is competitive with other cash back cards, though not exceptional.

If you do not have a Sam's Club membership or do not plan to use it, this card makes less sense. You would earn only 1% on most purchases, which is lower than cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5% on everything) or the Citi Double Cash (2% on everything). The membership requirement also means you are paying $45 to $110 per year just to hold the card, even if you never use it.

The card is also worth comparing to other warehouse-specific cards. Costco members cannot use a Costco card outside Costco, so that is a different model entirely. If you shop at both Sam's Club and other retailers, the Sam's Club card gives you more flexibility because it works everywhere Mastercard is accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Sam's Club card at Walmart or Target?

Yes. Both Walmart and Target accept Mastercard, so your Sam's Club card will work at either store. You will earn 1% cash back on those purchases. The card is not restricted to Sam's Club locations.

What if my Sam's Club membership expires?

If your membership lapses, Sam's Club may close your card or suspend it until you renew. You should renew your membership before it expires if you want to keep using the card. Check your membership expiration date in your Sam's Club account online.

Does the card work at international Sam's Club locations?

Sam's Club operates primarily in the United States, but the card works at any merchant worldwide that accepts Mastercard. If you are in a country with a Sam's Club location, the card will work there. You will pay a 1% foreign transaction fee on all purchases made outside the US.

Can I use this card to pay my Sam's Club membership fee?

Yes. You can use the card to pay your membership renewal or upgrade. You will earn cash back on that payment just like any other Sam's Club purchase, though the rate depends on how you pay (in-store, online, or by phone).

What if I have both a Sam's Club card and another Mastercard?

You can hold both. There is no rule against having multiple Mastercards from different issuers. You might use the Sam's Club card for warehouse and gas purchases to earn 5%, and use another card for everyday purchases if it offers a higher rate in those categories.