Where You Can Use Your Sam's Club Credit Card

The Sam's Club Mastercard works at most places that take Mastercard, but not everywhere

The Sam's Club Mastercard is a Mastercard, which means you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted — roughly 29 million merchants worldwide, including grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and online retailers. But there are real limits. You cannot use it at Costco, at some warehouse clubs, or at a few retailers that have chosen not to accept Mastercard. And if you do not have a Sam's Club membership, the card itself will not work at all, even though it is a Mastercard.

The card comes in two versions: the regular Sam's Club Mastercard and the Sam's Club Business Mastercard. Both work the same way outside Sam's Club — they are Mastercards. The difference is what rewards you earn and what the annual fee is, not where you can swipe.

Key Takeaways

• Your Sam's Club Mastercard works anywhere Mastercard is accepted, including gas pumps, restaurants, online stores, and most retail chains.
• You must have an active Sam's Club membership for the card to work anywhere, even though it is a Mastercard.
• The card will not work at Costco or at a few other retailers that do not accept Mastercard.
• You earn Sam's Club rewards (cash back or points) only when you use the card at Sam's Club locations, not at other merchants.

Where the card works outside Sam's Club

Because it is a Mastercard, your Sam's Club card works at any merchant that displays the Mastercard logo. That includes supermarkets, pharmacies, department stores, gas stations, restaurants, hotels, airlines, and online retailers like Amazon. You can also use it at ATMs that accept Mastercard to withdraw cash, though your bank will charge a fee if the ATM is not part of the Sam's Club network.

The card works for both in-person purchases (you insert, tap, or swipe it) and online purchases (you enter the card number). Some merchants may ask for a signature or a PIN; follow their instructions the same way you would with any other credit card.

One practical note: if you are traveling outside the United States, the card works in most countries where Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard charges a foreign transaction fee (usually around 1% of the purchase), which Sam's Club adds to your bill. Check your cardholder agreement for the exact rate.

Where the card does not work

Costco does not accept Mastercard at all — it only takes Visa, American Express, Discover, and its own Costco card. So even though your Sam's Club Mastercard is a valid Mastercard, you cannot use it there.

A small number of other retailers have chosen to accept only certain payment methods. Some gas stations, for example, accept only their own branded cards or specific networks. Before you travel or plan a big purchase, check the merchant's website or call ahead if you are unsure whether they take Mastercard.

If your Sam's Club membership lapses or is cancelled, the card will stop working everywhere — not just at Sam's Club. You will need to renew your membership to use the card again.

How rewards work when you use the card outside Sam's Club

This is where the card's limits become clear. You earn Sam's Club rewards — whether that is cash back or points — only when you use the card at a Sam's Club location or on the Sam's Club website. When you use the card at Target, Whole Foods, a gas station, or any other merchant, you earn no rewards at all.

The card does offer some protections outside Sam's Club, such as purchase protection and extended warranty coverage on may be able to access items, but these are standard Mastercard benefits, not Sam's Club rewards. Read your cardholder agreement to see which protections apply and what the limits are.

If you want to earn rewards on everyday purchases outside Sam's Club, you would need a different card — either a general cash-back card or a card tied to a different retailer. The Sam's Club Mastercard is designed to reward you for shopping at Sam's Club, not for general spending.

What happens if a merchant does not accept Mastercard

If you try to use your Sam's Club Mastercard at a merchant that does not accept Mastercard, the transaction will be declined. The merchant's payment system will reject it before you even finish entering your information. You will need to use a different payment method — another credit card, debit card, or cash.

This is rare in the United States, but it does happen. Some small businesses, certain gas stations, and a few online retailers accept only specific payment networks. If you know you shop at a place that does not take Mastercard, bring a backup card or ask the merchant which cards they do accept.

Using the card for online and phone purchases

You can use your Sam's Club Mastercard for online shopping and phone orders at any retailer that accepts Mastercard. You will need the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back). The process is the same as with any other credit card.

Some online retailers ask for a billing address that matches your card's registered address. If you recently moved, make sure your address is up to date with Sam's Club before you shop online, or the transaction may be declined.

For subscription services — streaming, software, gym memberships — you can use the card to set up automatic payments. The card will be charged on the schedule you choose. If your membership lapses, the card will stop working, so the subscription payment will fail and the service may be interrupted.

International use and currency conversion

Your Sam's Club Mastercard works in most countries where Mastercard is accepted. You can use it at merchants, ATMs, and online retailers abroad. When you make a purchase in a foreign currency, Mastercard converts it to US dollars using their exchange rate, then adds a foreign transaction fee (typically around 1% of the purchase amount).

Before you travel, call the number on the back of your card to let Sam's Club know you will be using it internationally. This helps prevent fraud blocks that might decline legitimate purchases. Also check whether your card has any travel benefits, such as travel insurance or emergency card replacement, by reviewing your cardholder agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Sam's Club card at other warehouse clubs?

No. Costco does not accept Mastercard. Other warehouse clubs like BJ's Wholesale and Walmart's Sam's Club competitor may accept Mastercard, but you should check their website or call ahead to confirm. Your Sam's Club membership card is separate from your credit card and works only at Sam's Club locations.

What if my Sam's Club membership expires while I have a balance on the card?

The card will stop working for new purchases, but you still owe the balance. You will need to pay off what you owe. If you want to use the card again, you must renew your Sam's Club membership. Your existing balance does not disappear — it remains on your account.

Do I earn rewards when I use the card at gas stations or restaurants?

No. You earn Sam's Club rewards only at Sam's Club locations and on the Sam's Club website. Gas stations, restaurants, and all other merchants earn you no rewards, even though the card is a Mastercard. The card may offer other protections like purchase protection, but not rewards.

Can I use the card if I do not have my physical card with me?

Yes, for online and phone purchases. You can use the card number, expiration date, and CVV to shop online or order by phone. For in-person purchases, you need the physical card or a digital wallet (like Apple Pay or Google Pay) that has the card loaded into it.

What should I do if a merchant says they do not accept my card?

Ask them which payment methods they do accept. If they do not take Mastercard, your Sam's Club card will not work there. Bring a backup payment method — another credit card, debit card, or cash — for merchants that do not accept Mastercard.