Your Sam's Club membership just got more expensive. The company announced on Wednesday that new and existing customers will see an increase in their annual membership. Memberships for Club members will increase $5 per year from $45 to $50 and Plus members will see an increase of $10 per year from $100 to $110.
The company sent the following notice to customers via email today:
"Forty years ago, Sam Walton started Sam’s Club to provide incredible value for our members. I am proud that we are still delivering on that promise today, offering more quality items and services than ever before—and at that incredible value you’ve come to count on. That will never change.
But we realize that what our members value has evolved. We know you also value time, convenience, a great experience in the club and a variety of ways to shop with us. So, we’ve brought that to you.
We’ve brought new brands into the club while focusing on how we can make Member’s Mark™ products even better. We’ve invested in technology to improve the shopping experience. We’ve nearly completed implementing a fresh new look and feel in all 600 clubs. And earlier this year, we created a new rewards program—Sam’s Cash™—to help you more easily earn and spend your rewards.
Starting October 17, annual membership fees will move from $45 to $50 for Club members and $100 to $110 for Plus members. This is the first time we’ve shifted the price of Plus membership since it was introduced in 1999, and it’s been nine years since we last changed the price of our Club membership.
We are mindful of the financial pressure on wallets right now. So, this year’s renewal increase is on us. We’re giving back $5 in Sam’s Cash to Club members and $10 in Sam’s Cash to Plus members shortly after renewal.*
I am grateful that you’ve chosen Sam’s Club and remain committed to ensuring that you get the most from your membership. We’ll continue to build on our four-decade legacy of providing incredible value in innovative ways that help you save money, save time and live better.
Thank you again for being part of Sam’s Club.
Kath McLay
President & CEO, Sam’s Club"