Think you need to pay full price for a Sam’s Club membership? Think again. Whether you’re just looking to test the waters or you’re a savvy shopper trying to sidestep fees, there are some surprising (and completely legit) ways to access Sam’s Club perks without dropping a dime. Here are six clever loopholes to shop at Sam’s without a paid membership.
1. Tag Along with a Member Friend
Got a buddy who’s already a member? Lucky you. Sam’s Club allows members to bring guests on shopping trips. You won’t be able to check out using your own card, but your friend can add your items to their purchase—and you can just pay them back. Bonus: you still get access to all the savings inside the warehouse.
Insider Tip: Want your own checkout lane? Ask your friend to add you as a complimentary household cardholder if they have a Plus membership.
2. Use Instacart—No Membership Required
Sam’s Club has teamed up with Instacart to offer non-members same-day delivery on thousands of products. That means you can shop online and have items delivered to your door without a membership. Prices may be slightly marked up, and there’s a delivery fee—but it’s perfect if you’re looking to avoid membership fees altogether.
Best For: One-off purchases or restocking essentials without leaving your couch.
3. Score a One-Time Shopping Pass
If you just need to make a single bulk purchase—say for a party, event, or stock-up run—you can request a one-time guest pass at your local Sam’s Club. You’ll pay a small upcharge (usually 10%) on your total, but you can still access the warehouse for a day without a membership.
Workaround: Look out for promos or ask a team member if there’s a current free shopping day—these occasionally pop up during big sale events.
4. Use the 90-Day Money-Back Guarantee
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This is the ultimate hack for commitment-phobes: Sam’s Club offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on memberships. That means you can sign up, shop like a pro, and if you’re not happy, cancel within 90 days and get a full refund. It’s essentially a risk-free way to test out the benefits.
Just don’t abuse the system—Sam’s keeps track of accounts, and repeated refunds could raise red flags.
5. Shop Online Without a Membership
That’s right—you can shop on SamsClub.com without being a member. You’ll pay a small 10% non-member fee, but it’s still a workaround if you’re only shopping occasionally. Certain items, like prescription medications or tires, may still require a membership, but most products are fair game.
Pro Tip: Combine this with Sam’s periodic “Open House” sales when the fee is waived for online shoppers.
6. Get Perks Through T-Mobile Tuesdays
If you’re a T-Mobile customer, don’t sleep on T-Mobile Tuesdays—a weekly program offering discounts, freebies, and yes, even free Sam’s Club memberships (or heavy discounts on them). Deals rotate, but free or $20 memberships have popped up multiple times in the past year.
How to Get It: Just download the T-Mobile Tuesdays app and check every Tuesday for new perks.
Final Thoughts
Sam’s Club might seem like a members-only club—and technically, it is—but there are more doors in than you think. Whether you’re tagging along with a friend or leveraging your T-Mobile plan, these loopholes let you enjoy warehouse-sized savings without paying a cent. So the next time you want to stock up, try one of these sneaky-smart tricks and skip the fee.
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