Select Sam’s Club members will now be able to enjoy more benefits with their subscription.
About Walmart+ and Sam’s Club:
Sam’s Club and parent company Walmart are teaming up to bring more value to members. Starting this week. a Walmart+ subscription will be included with a Sam’s Club Plus membership. Currently, a Sam’s Club “Club” membership (which will not include Walmart+) is $60 per year, while Sam’s Club “Plus” is $120 per year. Walmart+ has retailed for $98 per year since launching in 2020.
With Walmart+, customers can take advantage of free shipping on any-sized order plus free delivery on orders of $35 or more. On top of that, members can save 10¢ per gallon at Walmart, CITGO, Exxon, Mobil, and Murphy gas stations. Plus. subscribers can choose one of two complimentary streaming service options: Paramount+or Peacock Premium. Walmart+ also gives members access to Scan & Go at Walmart locations, allowing them to save time when shopping in-store.
Beyond the Walmart+ perk, Sam’s Club Plus members enjoy free delivery and shipping at Sam’s Club, early shopping hours, early online access to deals, and pharmacy savings. Additionally, Plus members earn up to 2% back in Sam’s Cash on purchases.
For existing Walmart+ members who are not Sam’s Club members, they can now add Sam’s Club Plus for $22. As for customers who currently have both Sam’s Club Plus and Walmart+, the company advises that they can link their accounts, with most members being eligible for a prorated refund on their Walmart+ subscription price.
What They’re Saying:
Summing up the new value proposition, Walmart Inc. president and CEO John Furner said, “We’re giving people a reason to expect more from their membership. For $120 a year, we’re raising expectations for what a membership can deliver: more money in their pockets and more time to call their own.”
My Thoughts:
I’ve repeatedly given Walmart+ props for improving its product without raising its $98 annual fee. Now, they’re taking that a step further, adding this $98-per-year service to a $120 membership without raising the price. For Sam’s Club Plus members, this is a pretty phenomenal deal — especially since those who already had Walmart+ can get a prorated refund.
That said, there are a few other factors that will determine how good of a deal this is for others. First, if you’re considering upgrading from the $60 Sam’s Club membership to the $120 Plus membership to get Walmart+, be aware that Walmart+ regularly goes on sale for $49 per year. Of course, you’ll want to also consider the other perks of Sam’s Club Plus as well as the renewal cost of Walmart+ to determine which is the better play.
Meanwhile, for people like me who have an Amex Platinum, there’s not much to be done about this news, as the card already covers the $12.95 monthly fee for Walmart+. But, having seen what Walmart+ offers and being a current lower-tier Sam’s Club member, I do think I’d upgrade to Plus if my Walmart+ freebie from the Platinum card were to go away. I also doubt I’m alone in that sentiment.
