News & Trending Shopping & Deals News

10 Things Everyone Needs to Know About Sam's Club ‘Scan & Go’ Feature

Nearly one-third of Sam’s Club members use this feature. Find out why.

sams club exterior and logo
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

The convenience of the Sam’s Club “Scan & Go” feature is unbeatable. You grab your items, scan them, and then you're on your way.

It’s a process that has caught on with Sam’s Club buyers, who feel like it’s one of the best Sam’s Club hacks. Customers are in and out quickly, regardless of how busy the store is. The retailer says 30% of Sam’s Club members use Scan & Go regularly — a 50% increase over the past three years.

Want to try out this feature for yourself? Here are 10 things you need to know.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!1

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

The Scan & Go feature makes shopping easier

Robert/Adobe Sam's Club brand logo

Scan & Go is your ticket to skip the checkout line. You scan items as you shop around the store, then pay in the Scan & Go app and leave the store.

Scan & Go has extra features to enhance your shopping experience, including a running total as you shop. That means you won’t have to face the sudden surprise of a $150 receipt popping up.

Being able to track your expenses in real-time might even help you save money on groceries. The technology also provides reminders for items you may have forgotten based on previous purchases.

Scan & Go is easy to use

JHVEPhoto/Adobe Sam’s club store Saint Louis

Scan & Go is designed to be simple and easy to use. After downloading the app, you can scan an item’s barcode or use the “Find an Item” feature.

The item is then added to your checkout cart. Once you have finished shopping, you pay in the app. On the way out of Sam’s Club, you show your digital receipt to a store employee.

Look for the green rectangle when scanning items

jetcityimage/Adobe sam's club sign outside store

When you see a green rectangle appear over the item’s barcode, you know that it’s been added to your cart.

Get a protection plan on all your appliances

Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.

Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.

For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.

Get a free quote

You really can just walk out of the store once you pay in the app

Robert/Adobe Sam's Club retail store at night

This is what makes Scan & Go so convenient: Once you pay in the app, you can walk out of the store. There is no need to stand in the checkout line.

However, you will need to show your receipt to a Sam’s Club employee before you leave the store. This is a way for Sam’s Club to make sure you have actually paid for the items in your cart.

You can use gift cards and Sam's Cash with Scan & Go

Игорь Головнёв/Adobe sam's club logo on tablet

You can use Sam’s Cash as one of your methods of payment in the app. You can do the same with gift cards, which you can easily add to your payment methods.

There is a dollar limit on Scan & Go purchases

Tim/Adobe Sam's Club entrance with pharmacy

You can only buy up to $1,000 of items daily using Scan & Go as your payment method. That likely means you can use the feature for the vast majority of shopping trips.

Scan & Go returns are like other returns

cabuscaa/Adobe Sam's Club building in Brazil

You return items purchased with Scan & Go the same way you would return anything purchased via the checkout line.

Open up the app, then go to “Account” and “Purchase History.” This is where you’ll find your Scan & Go receipts, and you can return items to the Member Services desk at Sam’s Club using these digital receipts.

You can’t use a tablet to pay via Scan & Go

Игорь Головнёв/Adobe tablet screen with sam's club logo

If you want to use Scan & Go, you will have to bring your phone: Scan & Go is not available on tablets or any screens larger than 600 dpi.

You might be able to purchase alcohol with Scan & Go

Joni/Adobe wines and champagnes at sam's store

In some states, you can purchase alcohol by bringing your cart and the app to a store employee to confirm your birth date.

If this is allowed, you will click “Pay” as soon as the employee confirms your age within the app.

Scan & Go has been around for a little while

John Hanson Pye/Adobe sams club trolley inside store

Scan & Go has been around since 2016. The technology really began to shine as a contactless way of shopping in 2020.

Now, Scan & Go is the most convenient way to shop at Sam’s Club. There’s no need to wait in line. You also no longer have to wonder how much the items in your cart are going to add up to when you make it to the register.

Stop overpaying when you shop online

Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.

Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!2

Get Capital One Shopping now

Bottom line

jetcityimage/Adobe sams club warehouse

When you shop at a big-box store, it can be easy to lose track of how much you are spending. Impulse purchases add up quickly, and before you know it, your cart is filled with items you didn’t exactly need.

Scan & Go is a smart way to save money by keeping a running tally of how much you are spending as your cart fills up. You see the impact of each item on your bottom line, and you know whether you are starting to break the bank.

This app keeps you accountable for every penny you spend — and that’s a great way to spend less.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details