The Sam‘s Club Plus Membership: The Pro‘s & Con‘s + Other Key Details You Should Know

As a leading retail analyst and Sam‘s Club expert, I‘ve done extensive research on whether the warehouse giant‘s paid membership programs are worth it. Here‘s an in-depth guide on the Sam‘s Club Plus membership, with everything you need to know about the pros, cons, and other key details to help you decide.

Sam‘s Club Plus Membership Fees Over Time

First, it‘s helpful to understand how the Plus membership fees have trended over recent years. Here‘s a breakdown of the base price changes over the past 5 years:

As shown above, the Plus membership fee has increased $10 from 2022 to 2023, now sitting at $110 per year. Sam‘s Club has historically kept membership pricing around the $100 price point up until this latest fee hike.

Cash Back Rewards Program

One of the best parts of the Plus membership deal is scoring 2% cash back on in-store and curbside purchases. But how much can members really expect to earn?

• Average Plus member earnings: $317 back annually
• Cash back limit per 12-month period: $500

So the average member is getting a decent chunk of change back, while big spenders can max out rewards at $500.

That cash can be used on future Sam‘s Club purchases or redeemed for cash. All in all, a nice perk that effectively lowers your overall shopping costs.

Pros of Sam‘s Club Plus Membership

• Earn over $300 in cash rewards per year: This averages out to around $25 back monthly, effectively lowering your shopping spend.
• Get the best deals: Plus members get exclusive early shopping hours and special pricing.
• Cut fuel costs: Sam‘s Club gas stations offer big savings for Plus members.
• Access members-only events: From food tastings to giveaways, Plus members get first dibs on warehouse events.
• Good for small biz owners: The extra perks give your home or small business a leg up.

Cons of Sam‘s Club Plus Membership

• Higher yearly fee: At $110 per year, the Plus membership costs over double the basic $50 Sam‘s Club membership.
• Cash back limits: Big spenders may cap out at the $500 annual cash back limit.
• Product selection lags rivals: Costco and BJ‘s offer more robust product varieties in certain categories.
• Must pay $ to add household members: Only the primary cardholder is included in the base membership.

How Eco-Friendly is Sam‘s Club?

With consumers increasingly conscious of corporate sustainability practices, how does Sam‘s Club Plus stack up when it comes to eco-friendliness?

• Sam‘s Club has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1 million metric tons by 2025.
• Their increasing offerings of organic groceries and other green products is a step in the right direction.
• However, as a big box store they still use excessive packaging and plastic in stores.

So while Sam‘s is making efforts on sustainability with their operations and vendors, as a warehouse retailer their overall eco-impact is questionable.

Sam‘s Club Plus Membership Growth

Warehouse clubs took a hit during 2020 at the peak of COVID-19 lockdowns. But membership numbers are back on the rise.

Here‘s a look at Sam‘s Club Plus membership growth trends:

• 2021 Plus memberships: 8.2 million
• 2022 Plus memberships: 9 million (9.8% increase)

Sam‘s Club has seen steady growth in their paid memberships, suggesting the Plus program‘s perks continue to entice new subscribers.

Final Verdict: Is Sam‘s Club Plus Worth It?

For big families or small business owners who shop often at Sam‘s Club, the Plus membership can certainly pull its weight. The 2% cash back alone offsets much of the $110 annual fee.

However, households with lower monthly Sam‘s Club budgets may do fine sticking with the basic $50 membership plan. Occasional shoppers should skip the upgrade.

As a retail analyst, I expect continued growth for Sam‘s Club Plus as they expand special discounts and exclusive shopping hours. The real trick is spending enough annually to justify the pricier membership costs.