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12 Silly but Effective Ways To Make Shopping at Sam's Club a Better Experience

Stretch your membership benefits and shopping experience with some extra tools.

By Josh Koebert , Edited by Sara Albertelli

Updated April 16, 2026

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It may be a good time to review your Sam's Club shopping trips to see if there are ways you can unlock the true value of your membership.

Check out this list of tips and tricks to take advantage of your membership at Sam's Club when you're shopping for groceries, getting deals on seasonal items, or stocking up on essentials.

Whether it's for in-person trips to your local club or online shopping, make sure you never miss out on a great deal and ultimately save money at the retailer.

Take your own bags

Sam's Club usually offers a collection of boxes for your purchased items, or perhaps cashiers just place them directly back in your cart when checking out.

But you can bring your own bags to Sam's Club to help keep things organized and make it easier to load and unload your car. Check online for extra-large reusable bags that can be a great alternative to boxes and make it easier to buy bulk items.

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Go at the right time

Sam's Club can get busy on weekends, which can make it harder for you to shop.

Instead, try shopping when it's not as busy on a weekday. Also, check out the Sam's Club Plus membership, which allows you to shop early and beat the crowds.

Try Scan and Go shopping

Sam's Club has a useful mobile app that allows you to shop in the store through your cellphone, which allows you to skip the line when you're ready to go.

Use the "Scan and Go" feature to scan items as you shop and put them directly in your cart. Then, skip the long checkout lines and simply pay in the app before heading out the door.

Get the guest pass for an online experience

You may not have a membership yet because you want to try out a Sam's Club first and see if it's right for you. In that case, Sam's Club has a couple of options for you.

The good news is that Sam's Club will let you do that with a guest membership that gives you the chance to shop for items online and see what the experience is like. Just keep in mind that exceptions apply and that there is a 10% service fee.

You can also join Sam's Club for free with a free trial. If you enjoy the in-store experience, then you'll automatically become a Club member for a full year for just $50, or you can cancel the trial.

Use different credit cards

Sam's Club makes shopping easy, from browsing these shelves to the moment you pull out your favorite credit card at checkout, as they accept all of the major credit cards, including American Express, Mastercard, Visa, and Discover. International credit cards are not accepted in person or online.

Sam's Club has great cakes

Cake shopping can be expensive, to buying a huge sheet cake for a birthday, wedding, or other celebration.

But Sam's Club has you covered with its delicious options that might be more affordable than a specialty bakery or local grocery store. Apart from helping you stretch your grocery budget, you can also get them personalized by a baker at Sam's Club.

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Look for special membership deals

Sam's Club offers a basic membership for $50 a year, but the retailer will drop the price sometimes to help you save money. The Plus membership is usually $110.

For example, Sam's Club often offers discounted membership prices for new members, giving you the perfect option to try out the store if you haven't done so yet.

Save money at the pharmacy

Sam's Club allows you to get some prescription medication for free if you're a Plus member, helping you keep cash in your pocket if your prescription is covered.

You can also get your prescriptions filled at Sam's Club even without a Sam's Club membership, which can be helpful if it's closer to you than another pharmacy. But the Plus membership may be a good idea, so you can take advantage of pharmacy discounts.

Get a rotisserie chicken

Sam's Club, like other bulk retailers, offers rotisserie chickens in its meat department, and it's a good idea to grab one while you're shopping.

Cooked in-store, the seasoned rotisserie chickens are typically only $4.98. It's a fresh and convenient option for a meal, or you can pick it apart and use the meat for a recipe like homemade chicken salad.

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.

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Check out the instant savings

Sam's Club has monthly deals as part of its instant savings program that are perfect if you're trying to save extra money on everyday items.

The instant savings include deals on everyday items like food and bathroom essentials, as well as special items like furniture or seasonal offerings.

Buy gift cards for yourself

One of the great things about buying gift cards at Sam's Club is that you can find affordable options for less than the face value of the cards. For example, you can buy $50 Golden Corral gift cards for only $39.98.

So feel free to buy gift cards for yourself at places you frequent and save money by picking them up for a discounted price.

Think outside of the Sam's Club warehouse

You can use your membership when shopping for items in your local Sam's Club, but there are other discounts you can take advantage of that you may not have considered.

Check out the retailer's website for discounts on vacations or tickets for Broadway shows and concerts. You can also find deals on tickets for sporting events using your membership.

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Bottom line

Sam's Club is a great option to buy all kinds of items, from pantry staples to new furniture and even seasonal items.

It's a good idea to check your wallet for the best cash back credit cards before heading out to your local Sam's Club. A trip to Sam's Club can be pricey, so it can help if you're earning extra perks and points when you shop.

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