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If you're a current Sam's Club member or have been considering joining, you'll want to be aware of some upcoming changes the retailer is making. Sam's Club is establishing order minimums to qualify for free curbside pickup, free delivery, and free shipping. These changes will take effect on Aug. 19, 2024.
Here's what you need to know before you place your next order.
Free curbside pickup for Club members who spend $50 or more
Plus members currently qualify for free curbside pickup with no order minimums. The perk is staying the same. Meanwhile, Club members can pick up their orders curbside when paying a $4 fee for each order they place. But soon, some Club members will qualify for free curbside pickup. This change could help members keep more money in their checking accounts .
Starting Aug. 19, 2024, Club members can pick up curbside orders without paying a fee when meeting a minimum order threshold of $50. A $4 fee will apply to each curbside pickup order if the minimum order threshold isn't met. This is good news for Club members because they can save money on fees by placing a bigger order.
Curbside pickup remains a free service for Plus members, regardless of the order amount.
Free shipping minimums now apply
Right now, Plus members qualify for free shipping perks for eligible items purchased through the Sam's Club website or mobile app. However, starting next week, only some orders will be eligible for free shipping.
Beginning Aug. 19, 2024, free shipping will be available on orders of $50 or more. If the $50 threshold is not met, an $8 fee will apply. You can avoid this fee by placing a bigger order the next time you shop online.
Delivery is now free for Plus members on orders of at least $50
Sam's Club offers delivery in some locations, including same-day delivery in eligible areas. Club and Plus members can have their orders delivered for a fee. Currently, Club members pay $12 per order for delivery, while Plus members pay $8 per order.
But starting on Aug. 19, 2024, Plus members can avoid the delivery fee by meeting a minimum order threshold of $50. Otherwise, they will still be charged the $8 fee per order. Club members will continue to be charged a fee of $12 per order when getting items delivered to their home.
What's the difference between membership types?
If you're considering joining Sam's Club, you may wonder how the membership options differ. A Club membership costs $50 a year. With this basic membership, you can shop in-club or online and access the retailer's best deals. It's an affordable way to get major discounts.
Alternatively, you could pay more for a Plus membership, which costs $110 annually. You'll get the same perks offered with a Club membership, plus additional benefits like extra pharmacy and optical discounts and access to early shopping hours. As a Plus member, you can also earn 2% rewards on eligible Sam's Club purchases for a maximum of $500 in rewards each year.
Is a Sam's Club membership still worth the cost?
While these upcoming changes may impact how you order from the retailer, your warehouse club benefits remain mostly unchanged. For some members, the changes are positive.
If you're a Club member, you now get an additional perk with your membership -- access to free curbside pickup when placing eligible orders of $50 or more. If you use curbside pickup service often, you can trim your credit card bill by avoiding pick up fees.
Are you unsure whether your Sam's Club membership is still worthwhile? As long as you're getting value from the perks provided, it's worth it. For many shoppers, continuing to pay for an annual Sam's Club membership is likely a good money move.
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