Top 15 Sam's Club Hacks to Save More in 2025

Learn how to save on memberships, find the best in-store deals, utilize instant savings, and enjoy exclusive perks like travel discounts and free generic medications.


 

Got a Sam's Club membership and want to make sure you get ALL the benefits of it? I’ve got you covered!  And if you don’t have one…well, maybe you’ll want to pick one up after you read this :) 

Also, be sure to check out our Best Things To Buy At Sam's Club guide and our comparison review of Costco vs. Sam's Club vs. BJ's.

1. Don't Pay Full Price For A Sam's Club Membership

While you’ll certainly recoup your membership pricing either way, it just makes sense to never pay full price for your Sam’s Club Membership.  They run promotions on a regular basis and you can often pick it up for as little as $25.

Get the Sam's Club Membership for Only $25!

2. Coupons Aren't Permitted: BUT Look For Instant Savings With Your Membership Card

You can’t use coupons at Sam’s Club, but they have their own savings opportunities that you won’t want to miss.  Each month they release Sam's Club's Instant Savings.  Add them directly to your membership card to redeem them. They’ll reduce your total when you checkout. You can use them in-store or online. 

• Direct application of special discounts is made to your membership card.
• Exclusive offers on a diverse selection of products.
• Convenient tracking of savings via the Sam's Club app or through email alerts.

PRO Tip: Although coupons aren't accepted, you can also save with Ibotta and other free coupon apps. Just upload your Sam's Club receipt to the app to earn cash back on select products.

3. Skip the Checkout Line with Scan & Go

Save time when you shop Sam’s Club by using the Scan & Go benefit. Use the Sam's Club mobile app to scan items as you shop, then pay for them directly in the app, and skip traditional checkout lines. You’ll exit through a security arch where AI-powered cameras verify your digital receipt against your cart's contents. You might also like that you can see your total as you shop, helping to keep you on budget.

4. Prices Are The Same Online or In-Store BUT Markdowns Are Better In-Store

Prices in the store versus online are most commonly the same. However, when it comes to markdowns, they are better in the store as they are usually priced to move since they have to make room for the next season of products.  So if you’re looking for an end-of-season deal, you’ll probably want to take the time to shop IN person. It’s one of my favorite ways to shop, so I’ll see you there!

5. Pay Less for Groceries and Household Goods with Member's Mark

Like most stores, Sam's Club's has a private label brand called Member's Mark.  The quality matches the name brands, but without the name brand price. You’ll definitely want to take advantage of that! Some of the most popular Member’s Mark items are the Ultra Premium 2-Ply Toilet Paper, the Select & Tear 2-Ply Paper Towels, the Allergy Relief Tablets, and the Comfort Pro Anti-Fatigue Kitchen Mat.  Give them a try with your family and see what you think. They are ALL trusted items in my home.

6. Check out Sam's Club Travel Deals

Did you know you can score travel deals at Sam's Club? You can!  As a member, you’ll have access to complete vacation packages or discounts on the pieces you need for your vacation like hotels, car rentals, attractions, theme parks, resorts and more.  And it’s more than just vacations…you can save on some of your favorite local entertainment.  You can even pick up movie tickets on discount! 

• Vacation Packages
• Zoo and Museum Attractions
• Rental Cars
• Hotels
• Theme Parks

7. Get Affordable Eyewear At The Optical Center

Are you seeing all these Sam's Club savings? Pun intended! Sam’s Club members can take advantage of the Optical Center for affordable eye exams, competitively prices frames and lenses, and free adjustments and cleanings.

• Competitive Pricing: Members can find a wide selection of eyeglass frames and lenses at competitive prices, including designer brands and the latest styles.
• Complimentary Services: Free adjustments and cleanings for your glasses are available, ensuring they fit comfortably and remain in top condition.
• Exclusive Member Discounts: Additional discounts on eyewear and accessories are often available exclusively for Sam's Club members.
• Professional Eye Exams: Licensed optometrists provide comprehensive eye exams to check your vision and eye health. While there is a fee for the exam, members may find the rates more affordable compared to other providers.
• Free Services: Get free adjustments and cleanings for your glasses.
• Exclusive Member Discounts: Get additional discounts on glasses and accessories.
• Expert Eye Exams: You can receive comprehensive eye exams; the exam is not free. Members can check if this expense is within their budget compared to other providers.

8. Get Exclusive Access to Pharmacy Services & Free Generic Medication

One of the best features of having a Plus membership is being able to get these 10 generic medications for completely free:

• Amlodipine
• Donepezil
• Escitalopram
• Finasteride
• Lisinopril
• Metformin
• Montelukast
• Pioglitazone
• Sertraline
• Vitamin D2 50,000 IU

Plus Members at Sam's Club can enjoy substantial savings on prescriptions, offering more than 600 generic medications for a supply of up to 30 days at $10 or less, along with an additional saving of 8% on pet prescriptions.

9. Birthday Coming Up? Sam's Club Custom Birthday Cakes Are LEGIT & Affordable

We all have a birthday to celebrate (though some of us like to avoid that number) and folks absolutely rave about Sam’s Club cakes!  They are very affordable, personalization is free (designs, flavors, frostings, colors), and they are so tasty. Whether it’s just for your close family or for hosting a larger celebration, you can order a cake to feed them all. 

FYI: I bought one for my son's birthday in April and it was great!

10. Learn How to Read Sam's Club Price Tags Codes

Did you know Sam's Club has a secret code? Sort of  the price tags do have a code in the lower left corner. It's a letter near the serial number and the barcode and it can help you determine if it’s a deal you should leap on or not. 

• "N" indicates the item is permanently in the store's inventory. It will always be available for purchase.
• "A" indicates it's an active item; it won't be discontinued or discounted in the near future.
• "S" indicates a seasonal item. It's recommended to purchase it before the season ends.
• "O" indicates a one-time purchase. Available stock is limited, and its availability afterward is not guaranteed.
• "C" means "cancelled," meaning the item won't be restocked and the store wants to remove it.

11. Score Free Samples Without the Wait at The Freeosk Machine

Freeosk is an automated kiosk that dispenses samples and you can find them in Sam’s Clubs. Simply scan your membership card and grab your freebie. The samples are changing often, so you’ll want to visit the Freeosk Kiosk every time you shop.

12. Not a Member? You Can Still Shop Online At Sam’s Club

You don’t need a membership to access some parts of Sam’s Club. The pharmacy, the cafe, and optic center are open to non-members.  You can even shop Sam’s Club online with a Guest Pass, but you can expect to get hit with a 10% markup on prices. A membership is still THE best way to save at Sam’s Club.

13. Buy Discounted Gift Cards During Black Friday

Save some money BEFORE you even shop or eat out!  Sam’s Club as a wide selection of gift cards that you can purchase at a discount of up to 25% off. This will help you lock in savings when gifting them too.

Sam’s Club sells discounted gift cards to many different stores and restaurants.

• Disney Gift Cards: $200 available for $180
• Starbucks Gift Cards: $50 available for $45
• Gab Brands Gift Cards: $50 available for $40

14. Clearance Deals Are Better In-Store

Clearance markdowns at Sam’s Club can look different from one location to another, since they depend on how much inventory each store needs to move. It’s always worth browsing the clearance aisles at your local club, as in-store Sam’s Club clearance deals are often better than what you’ll find online.

And if Sam's Club just isn't your jam, no worries. We've also got the Top 7 BJ's Hacks for BJ's Wholesale Members.