BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam’s Club will increase its annual membership fees starting May 1, marking the second hike in four years as the company continues to invest in growth, digital capabilities, and member benefits.
The Walmart Inc.-owned warehouse chain announced that basic Club memberships will increase to $60 per year, up from $50, while its higher-tier Plus membership will go up to $120 annually from $110. The retailer informed members of the changes via email on March 31.
Alongside the price increase, Sam’s Club is improving benefits for its premium tier. Plus members will see the annual cap on 2% Sam’s Cash rewards grow from $500 to $750, offering more value for higher-spending households.
In a statement, the company said it adjusted pricing “to support the things our members love,” pointing to ongoing investments in assortment, expanded hours, and improvements across curbside pickup and delivery. The increase brings Sam’s Club in line with BJ’s Wholesale Club and closer to rival Costco Wholesale, which raised its own membership fees in 2024.
The pricing strategy comes as Sam’s Club continues to experience steady growth and expand its omnichannel capabilities. U.S. net sales increased about 3.1% to $93 billion in the latest fiscal year, according to Walmart’s fourth-quarter results, while e-commerce sales jumped 23% during the holiday quarter. Transactions grew 5.3% year over year, reflecting both traffic increases and higher engagement across digital and in-store channels.
Membership also hit a record high in the quarter ending Jan. 31, highlighting the ongoing strength of the warehouse club model. Analysts estimate that Sam’s Club’s membership exceeds 30 million, with a growing proportion of higher-tier Plus subscribers. The fee increase is expected to significantly boost membership income, potentially adding over $200 million annually.
The move also occurs amid rising fuel prices, which have renewed consumer interest in one of the channel’s main value offerings: discounted gasoline. With national averages recently exceeding $4 per gallon, warehouse clubs have experienced more traffic driven by fuel savings and combined value across categories.
Looking ahead, Sam’s Club is working on an ambitious long-term growth plan. At Walmart’s 2025 Investment Community Meeting, former president and CEO Chris Nicholas outlined a strategy to double membership and more than double sales and profit over the next eight to 10 years. The plan includes opening around 30 new locations and maintaining a pipeline of about 15 new clubs each year, along with a complete remodel of its more than 600 existing locations.
As Sam’s Club adjusts its pricing, the retailer is betting that a mix of improved benefits, digital ease, and store expansion will strengthen its value proposition and help maintain its market share in the increasingly competitive warehouse club industry.
