Sam's Club accepts contactless payments, but membership type and location matter
Sam's Club takes contactless cards and mobile wallets at most U.S. locations, but the experience depends on which membership tier you hold and whether you're shopping in-warehouse or online. In-warehouse, you can pay with any contactless-enabled Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card, as well as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay at terminals that support it. However, Sam's Club membership cards themselves are not contactless—you still need to present a physical card or use the membership number from your phone to enter the warehouse.
The real limitation is membership verification at the door. Sam's Club requires a membership card scan before you shop, and that step cannot be skipped with contactless payment. Once you're inside and at checkout, contactless works smoothly on most newer terminals, but older locations may still require a chip or swipe. Online purchases through Sam's Club's website or app do not use contactless payment at all—they use standard card entry or saved payment methods.
Key Takeaways
- Contactless payment works at Sam's Club checkout terminals, but you must still present a physical membership card or membership number to enter the warehouse.
- Contactless cards and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) are accepted at most U.S. Sam's Club locations, though older terminals may require chip or swipe.
- Sam's Club membership cards themselves do not have contactless capability, so you cannot tap your membership card to verify entry.
- Online shopping through Sam's Club does not use contactless payment—you enter card details or use a saved payment method instead.
What contactless payment methods work at Sam's Club
Any contactless-enabled credit or debit card will work at Sam's Club checkout, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You straightforward hold the card near the terminal's contactless reader (usually marked with a wave symbol) and the payment processes without inserting or swiping the card. The transaction is complete in seconds.
Mobile wallets are also accepted. Apple Pay works on iPhones and Apple Watches, Google Pay works on Android devices, and Samsung Pay works on Samsung phones. You unlock your phone or watch, hold it near the terminal's contactless reader, and authenticate with your fingerprint or face recognition if required. Sam's Club terminals at most locations support these methods, though you may encounter an older terminal that does not.
Membership verification still requires a physical card
The contactless option does not extend to membership verification. When you arrive at Sam's Club, a staff member at the entrance will scan your membership card or ask for your membership number. You cannot tap a contactless membership card because Sam's Club membership cards are not contactless-enabled. You must carry your physical card, use a digital membership card in the Sam's Club app, or provide your membership number verbally.
If you use the Sam's Club app, you can display your digital membership barcode on your phone screen, and the staff member can scan that instead of a physical card. This is the closest to a fully contactless entry experience, though it still requires the app to be open and ready.
Older terminals and location variation
Not every Sam's Club location has upgraded to contactless-capable terminals. Newer warehouses and recently renovated locations almost always support contactless payment, but some older locations may still have terminals that only accept chip cards or magnetic stripe swipes. If you encounter a terminal that does not have a contactless reader, you can insert your card into the chip slot or swipe it instead.
The best way to know before you shop is to call your local Sam's Club warehouse directly and ask whether their checkout terminals accept contactless payment. Staff can tell you whether the location has been upgraded. If you prefer contactless and your local warehouse does not yet support it, you can still use your contactless card by inserting the chip instead.
Online shopping does not use contactless payment
If you shop through Sam's Club's website or mobile app for delivery or pickup, contactless payment is not an option. You enter your card details manually, use a saved payment method on file, or pay with PayPal. The checkout process is standard card entry, not contactless. This applies whether you are a Plus member or regular member.
In-warehouse shopping is the only place where contactless payment is available at Sam's Club. Curbside pickup orders also do not use contactless—you pay online before pickup or provide a card at the time of collection.
Contactless payment and Sam's Club membership tiers
Both Sam's Club regular members and Plus members can use contactless payment at checkout. Membership tier does not affect whether contactless is available to you. The difference between membership levels is the annual fee and benefits like extra discounts or fuel rewards, not the payment methods accepted at the register.
Business membership holders can also use contactless payment at Sam's Club Business locations. The process is identical to regular membership checkout.
What to do if contactless payment fails
If you tap your card or phone and the terminal does not read it, the contactless reader may be offline or your card may not be contactless-enabled. Ask the cashier to try again, or insert your card into the chip slot instead. If your card is older or from a bank that has not yet issued contactless versions, you will need to use the chip or swipe option.
If you are using a mobile wallet and it does not work, make sure your phone is unlocked and the wallet app is active. Some terminals require you to hold the phone still for a moment longer than a card. If the issue persists, the terminal may not support mobile wallets—use your physical card instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Sam's Club membership card as a contactless payment method?
No. Sam's Club membership cards are not contactless-enabled. You must present a physical membership card, show a digital membership barcode in the Sam's Club app, or provide your membership number to enter the warehouse. Once inside, you can use a contactless credit or debit card or mobile wallet to pay for your purchases.
Does Sam's Club accept Apple Pay and Google Pay?
Yes, most Sam's Club locations accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay at checkout. Hold your phone or watch near the contactless reader on the terminal. If the terminal does not support mobile wallets, you can insert your physical card into the chip slot instead.
What if my Sam's Club location doesn't have contactless terminals?
Call your local warehouse and ask whether they have upgraded to contactless-capable terminals. If not, you can still use your contactless card by inserting it into the chip reader. Older locations are gradually being upgraded, but the timeline varies by location.
Can I pay contactless when I order online from Sam's Club?
No. Online shopping through Sam's Club's website or app requires you to enter your card details manually or use a saved payment method. Contactless payment is only available for in-warehouse checkout.
Is contactless payment available to all Sam's Club membership types?
Yes. Regular members, Plus members, and Business membership holders can all use contactless payment at checkout. Membership tier does not affect which payment methods are available to you.