KEY POINTS
- While Sam’s Club provides affordable gas prices, you won’t receive a 2% cashback benefit with your Plus membership.
- Using a gas rewards credit card can help offset the cost, however, you might discover that the quality of gas at Sam’s Club is not the best.
- Additionally, you might find yourself waiting in a lengthy queue to refuel.
There are essential costs in life that are difficult to avoid, like bills for utilities, food shopping, and fuel. When purchasing gas, it can be beneficial to visit a warehouse club store if you are a member. Stores like Costco Sam’s Club is famous for offering gas at competitive prices.
However, there is a significant disadvantage to purchasing gas at Sam’s Club, which also applies to Costco. Fortunately, there is a way to offset this drawback.
A major letdown
When signing up for Sam’s Club, you have options. You can either opt for a $50 annual fee for a standard membership or pay $110 per year for a Plus membership.
One of the key advantages of having a Plus membership is that it offers a 2% benefit. cash back When you frequently make purchases at Sam’s Club, you can earn a significant amount of cash back. This could potentially cover the entire $110 fee, leaving you with extra money.
Regrettably, buying gas at Sam’s Club does not qualify for the 2% cash back benefit provided by the Plus membership. Similarly, the same rule applies to Costco. Even if you upgrade to the Executive membership at Costco, you will not receive 2% cash back on gas purchases there.
Create your own gas benefits.
Not receiving cash back at Sam’s Club fuel stations with your Plus membership can be disappointing. However, there is a silver lining – you can apply for a alternative solution. Credit card that offers rewards in the form of gas discounts or cash back on gas purchases. By using your card to pay for gas, you have the opportunity to earn additional money back. Certain cards provide a cash back reward of 3% or 4% on gas purchases, which can help offset the lower 2% cash back from your Plus membership.
Is it worth purchasing gasoline at Sam’s Club?
Due to the competitive gas prices at Sam’s Club, it may be beneficial to refuel your vehicle at their stations, especially if you are already planning to visit the store for groceries and other purchases. However, the decision to make a separate trip to Sam’s Club solely for gas may be debatable.
In most cases, it is not advisable to go out of your way to save money on gas by driving extra miles. For example, if you purchase 14 gallons of gas at Sam’s Club where it is $0.20 cheaper per gallon, you would save $2.80. However, if the additional distance to and from Sam’s Club causes you to consume nearly an extra gallon of gas, you could offset the savings.
Gas lines at Sam’s Club are typically lengthy, particularly on busy shopping days such as weekends. It is acceptable to sacrifice some fuel discounts in order to save time when your schedule is hectic.
It is important to note that Costco provides TOP TIER™ gas, known for its superior performance, while Sam’s Club does not offer this type of gas. However, this does not imply that the gas at Sam’s Club is of lower quality compared to regular gas. The difference lies in the specific designation that Costco’s gas carries.
Overall, regularly refueling at Sam’s Club could be cost-effective for you. However, it is advisable to compare gas prices in your vicinity through tools like GasBuddy or other platforms. Despite Sam’s Club being recognized for its cheap gas, it may not always offer the most competitive prices.
