Choosing the right credit card can significantly enhance your shopping experience at wholesale clubs like Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's Wholesale Club. Maximizing rewards, minimizing fees, and accessing exclusive benefits are all possible with the right card in your wallet. This guide explores the best credit card options tailored for wholesale club shoppers in 2024, helping you make an informed decision and save money.
| Credit Card | Rewards at Wholesale Clubs | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi | 4% on gas, 2% at Costco | No annual fee (with Costco membership), 3% on restaurants & eligible travel, 1% on all other purchases. |
| Sam's Club Mastercard® | 5% on gas, 3% at Sam's Club | No annual fee (with Sam's Club membership), 3% on dining & travel, 1% on other purchases. |
| BJ's Perks Elite® Mastercard® | 5% back at BJ's | $0 annual fee first year, then $55 (waived with BJ's Perks Rewards membership), 2% on dining & gas, 1% elsewhere. |
| Discover it® Cash Back | 5% rotating categories | No annual fee, 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases, potentially includes wholesale clubs. |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | 1.5% on everything | No annual fee, 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining and drugstores. |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | 6% on U.S. supermarkets | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95, 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% on gas & transit. |
| Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card | 1.5% on everything | No annual fee, straightforward rewards program. |
| Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card | N/A | 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods Market, 2% at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, 1% elsewhere. |
| Target RedCard™ Credit Card | 5% at Target | No annual fee, great for supplementing wholesale club purchases with Target deals. |
| Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card | 2% on everything | No annual fee, straightforward rewards program. |
Detailed Explanations
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: This card is exclusively for Costco members. It offers 4% cash back on eligible gas purchases (up to $7,000 per year, then 1%), 2% cash back on purchases at Costco and Costco.com, 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The cash back is distributed once a year as a reward certificate redeemable at Costco. This card has no annual fee with your paid Costco membership.
Sam's Club Mastercard®: Similar to the Costco card, this card is for Sam's Club members. It provides 5% cash back on gas (on the first $6,000 per year, then 1%), 3% cash back on purchases at Sam's Club, 3% cash back on dining and travel, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. It also has no annual fee with a Sam's Club membership. Rewards are automatically redeemed as Sam’s Cash each month.
BJ's Perks Elite® Mastercard®: This card offers 5% back on most purchases at BJ's Wholesale Club. It also offers 2% back on dining and gas and 1% on all other purchases. The card has a $0 annual fee for the first year, then $55. However, this fee is waived if you have a BJ's Perks Rewards membership. This card is best suited for frequent BJ's shoppers who can maximize the 5% rewards.
Discover it® Cash Back: This card features 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter (up to a quarterly maximum), which sometimes include wholesale clubs. You need to activate the bonus categories each quarter to earn the 5% rate. All other purchases earn 1% cash back. This card has no annual fee, and Discover matches all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year. Keep an eye on the rotating categories to determine if it will be a good fit for wholesale club spending.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®: While not specifically designed for wholesale clubs, this card offers a straightforward 1.5% cash back on all purchases. It also offers 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. This card has no annual fee and is a solid choice if you want a simple, all-around rewards card. The Ultimate Rewards points can be valuable if you also have a Chase Sapphire card and can transfer them for travel.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: This card shines with its 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 spent per year, then 1%). Although not directly at wholesale clubs, if you frequently shop at grocery stores in addition to wholesale clubs, this card can be very rewarding. It also provides 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on gas and transit, and 1% on everything else. The card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers a simple 1.5% cash back on all purchases, making it a great option for those who prefer a straightforward rewards program with no annual fee. It's a good choice if you want a simple, no-frills card for all your spending, including wholesale club purchases.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card: This card is primarily for Amazon and Whole Foods shoppers, offering 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods Market. It also offers 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, and 1% back on all other purchases. While it doesn't offer specific rewards at wholesale clubs, it can be a valuable addition to your wallet if you're an Amazon Prime member and frequently shop at Amazon. This card has no annual fee for Prime members.
Target RedCard™ Credit Card: While not directly related to wholesale clubs, the Target RedCard offers a 5% discount on purchases at Target. This can be beneficial for supplementing your wholesale club shopping with deals and specific items you can find at Target. The card has no annual fee.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: This card provides a flat 2% cash rewards on all purchases. It is a straightforward rewards program with no annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which credit card is best for Costco members? The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is generally considered the best, offering 4% on gas and 2% at Costco.
What is the best credit card for Sam's Club shoppers? The Sam's Club Mastercard® gives 5% back on gas and 3% back at Sam's Club.
Does the Discover it® Cash Back card ever offer wholesale clubs as a 5% category? Yes, the Discover it® Cash Back card sometimes includes wholesale clubs in its rotating 5% cash back categories. Check the quarterly calendar.
Can I use any credit card at Costco? No, Costco exclusively accepts Visa credit cards in-store.
Are there credit cards with no annual fee that offer good rewards at wholesale clubs? Yes, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card and Sam's Club Mastercard® offer good rewards with no annual fee (with membership).
What if I don't want a store-specific card? Consider a general cash back card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® or Capital One Quicksilver, which offer rewards on all purchases.
How often are rewards redeemed with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card? Rewards are distributed once a year as a reward certificate redeemable at Costco.
Can I use my Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card at wholesale clubs? Yes, you can use the card, but it will only earn the standard 1% cash back, unless the club qualifies as a gas station or restaurant.
What are the benefits of using a store-branded credit card? They often offer higher rewards rates specifically at the store, maximizing your savings.
Can I use a Mastercard at Costco? No, Costco only accepts Visa credit cards.
Conclusion
Choosing the best credit card for wholesale clubs depends on your spending habits and loyalty to a specific club. Consider cards that offer elevated rewards rates at your preferred club, gas stations, and other frequently visited locations. If you prefer simplicity, a general cash back card might be a better fit.