Sam's Club Membership Prices Are Increasing 20% — But Some Members Get A New Perk

Some Sam's Club members have received emails notifying them of an upcoming price increase for both standard Club and Plus members. The company announced that as of May 1, 2026, standard membership prices will rise from $50 to $60 annually, while Plus membership will increase from $110 to $120 each year. This is the second membership hike in the past four years. In 2022, Sam's Club raised standard and Plus membership costs by $5 and $10, respectively. Prior to that, membership prices had been steady for nine years.

Among some other big Sam's Club changes you'll see in 2026, increased membership costs are intended to improve customer experience and increase member benefits, including expanded in-club hours and enhanced delivery options. Unless existing members cancel their accounts, they can expect their memberships to renew at the updated price on their next renewal date after May 1, 2026. Plus members will get a new perk that might make the price bump worth it — the Sam's Cash rewards cap will see a 2% increase from $500 to $750 each year.

Current members are being very vocal about their disappointment in the pricing increase, taking to social media to voice their displeasure. In a post to the Subreddit r/samsclub, one member said, "I decided I'm cancelling. This is just a stab in the back. Don't they realize we're struggling to pay [for] basic groceries?" While on an Instagram post from @samsclubmembers about the increase, a commenter claimed, "unless they are bringing back free shipping...I'm not renewing." Others pointed out that when comparing Costco vs Sam's Club membership prices, a Sam's Club membership is still less expensive.

With grocery prices steadily increasing and the cost of gas going up, members are looking for ways to avoid this price increase. According to some Redditors, there are still many things Sam's Club does better than Costco, and it may be worth it to renew early to lock in the current annual price for another year. One Redditor confirmed this trick, saying, "I just paid ahead for this year, before the price increase!" If you have a standard membership, you can also upgrade to Plus now, before the price increase occurs.

New members can also take advantage of a discounted subscription right now and avoid the membership price hike until next year. Until April 23, 2026, new members can sign up for a standard plan for $30, and if you sign up before April 30, 2026, you can snag a Plus membership for $60. Sam's Club also offers a discounted senior membership for those aged 50 and older. If you verify your age through ID.me, you can qualify for a 60% discount on a standard membership or $50 off a Plus membership. Groupon also regularly offers money-saving deals on memberships, and in the past, Sam's Club has run Black Friday promotions. In 2025, Black Friday membership prices were $25 per year for a standard membership and $70 for Plus.