Sam’s Club vs. Costco: 4 Ways They’re Similar (and 4 Ways They’re Different)
Costco and Sam’s Club, two titans of the bulk grocery shopping industry, seem to cover a lot of the same ground. If you’re in the mood to add to your soda, soap or sauce stockpiles, either of these retailers have probably got your back – as long as you have an annual membership.
Read: 9 Bills You Should Never Put on Autopay
More: 5 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000
If you put Costco and Sam’s Club side by side, however, you can start to spot the differences between each membership that might make the other company a more beneficial choice for you and your family.
Same: Membership Options
Sam’s Club and Costco each have two annual membership options for personal use. Costco’s Gold Star Members are permitted to shop the bulk bargains online and at all physical locations worldwide. On the tier above, Costco Executive Members can receive additional benefits and discounts on Costco services, and earn a 2% reward on eligible purchases, which can accrue up to $1,000 in rewards per year.
Club Membership at Sam’s Club includes admission to all Club locations and the online store, plus special offers. A Sam’s Club Plus Membership includes additional savings and a Sam’s Cash rewards program similar to Costco Executive’s – Plus Members can earn 2% back on qualifying purchases, up to $500 per year.
Take Our Poll: How Long Do You Think It Will Take You To Pay Off Your Credit Card Debt?
Different: Membership Costs
While the memberships themselves and cash-back offers align, the prices come at a slight difference, with Sam’s Club just edging out Costco as the cheaper bargain.
Club Membership at Sam’s Club costs $50 per year, while a Costco Gold Star Membership costs $60 per year. Sam’s Club Plus Memberships cost $110 per year, and Costco Executive Memberships cost $120 per year.
Same: Membership Benefits
If we’re talking membership perks, Sam’s Club and Costco both offer a wide range. Both have savings offers, optical centers, pharmacies, members-only gas stations and tire centers. The higher-level Costco Executive Membership and Sam’s Club Plus Membership receive additional offers when using these services.
Both Sam’s Club and Costco also offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, including generous return policies on many products. Many items at either retailer are eligible for returns indefinitely. There are a few exceptions, and members of either club should check the return policies before purchasing larger items like electronics or major appliances.
Different: Number of Locations
Now here’s where Costco has Sam’s Club beat. As of October 2022, Costco has 840 warehouses open worldwide. Sam’s Club holds a little under 600 club locations to its name.
You’d also have a little more room to roam the aisles in a Costco than in a Sam’s Club. The average size of each Costco warehouse is 146,000 square feet, with Sam’s Clubs averaging 136,000 square feet.
And you won’t find a Sam’s Club outside of the U.S. or Puerto Rico. Costco has over 200 international locations, the majority of them in the United Kingdom and Mexico.
Same: Additional Members Allowed
If you purchase a Costco or Sam’s Club membership, you’re not the only family member who’s got an in. All of the memberships include the ability to add additional members for no fee or a discounted cost.
Different: Cost of Adding Members
There are, of course, some regulations.
Both the Costco Executive and Costco Gold Star memberships include two membership cards, one for you and one for another member of your household. Although the membership permits any cardholder to shop at any warehouse in the world, the secondary member is supposed to be someone who lives at your same address.
If you become a Sam’s Club member at either level, you do receive a discount on the purchase of additional memberships. Each additional membership would come out to a $45 annual fee. The better deal may come down to how many memberships you’re looking to have in one household.
Same: Product Variety
These bulk-shopping centers both offer tons of variety for shoppers to stock up on their frozen berries, paper products or wine and spirits. When you shop smart to find the best deals, members and their families can save money with either membership.
Each store even has their own brand, Costco’s Kirkland Signature and Sam’s Club Member’s Mark, that go head-to-head with the name-brand alternatives.
Different: Payment Methods
Once you’ve loaded up the cart, the less-fun part comes – how are you going to pay for all of it?
If you’re a Walmart shopper, you could be in luck at Sam’s Club. Sam’s Club is a division of Walmart Inc. That means Walmart gift cards are an acceptable form of payment when shopping online or in a Club. Sam’s Club also accepts Walmart or Sam’s Club credit cards, as well as other varieties of credit cards.
Costco only accepts Visa cards, including its own Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, and cash or certain checks. Members without a Visa may have to jump through a few hoops to get one before their first visit.
More From GOBankingRates
5 Best Southern Cities To Retire on a Budget of $1,500 a Month
Get Ready for Retirement Now With Expert Tips for Every Stage of Life
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Sam’s Club vs. Costco: 4 Ways They’re Similar (and 4 Ways They’re Different)
