Walmart and Sam’s Club have rolled out a new combined membership that could matter to grocery shoppers who use both chains. Starting October 20, Walmart said customers can get Walmart+ and Sam’s Club Plus together for $120 a year, a price the company says is almost $100 less than buying the two memberships separately.
What the new membership includes
The new plan combines Walmart+ and Sam’s Club Plus into one annual membership. According to Walmart’s Oct. 20 announcement, the bundle gives members access to Sam’s Club member pricing, free delivery benefits from both retailers, a choice of Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential every 90 days, gas savings, and Sam’s Cash on eligible purchases. For home cooks and families, the food angle is fairly direct: it connects weekly grocery delivery from Walmart with bulk shopping and club pricing at Sam’s Club.
Walmart said the annual price is $120, plus applicable tax. The company also said that shoppers had previously been paying nearly $100 more if they bought the memberships separately. Walmart’s help pages describe the offer as an annual bundled membership, and note that the accounts remain separate and must be linked after enrollment and identity verification.
The fuel perk is part of the package as well. Walmart said members can get 10 cents off per gallon at participating stations, although the company notes that Alabama locations may offer 5 to 10 cents off instead. Sam’s Club Plus benefits also include up to 2% Sam’s Cash on qualifying purchases, with Walmart’s benefits page stating a cap of $750 per 12 month membership period.
Who can sign up and how upgrades work
Walmart said new members can join the combined plan for $120 a year starting October 20. Existing Walmart+ annual members can switch to the new dual membership for $22 more per year, according to the company’s announcement. Existing Club members can upgrade to Sam’s Club Plus for $60 more per year and receive Walmart+ as part of that plan.
The company also said current Sam’s Club Plus members can activate Walmart+ at no additional cost. Customers who were already paying for both memberships separately can link their Walmart+ and Sam’s Club accounts, and Walmart said most eligible members can receive a prorated refund for Walmart+. That detail may matter for shoppers trying to avoid paying twice for overlapping benefits.
There are a few limits shoppers should know before signing up. Walmart’s help pages say Walmart+ with Sam’s Club Plus is available only as an annual plan, not a monthly one, and there is no trial for the bundled membership. Walmart also says some customers who originally got Walmart+ through a promotional, partner, or sponsored offer may lose that discount or need to cancel the old arrangement before enrolling in the new plan.
Why grocery shoppers are paying attention
This is membership news, but it lands squarely in the food shopping space because both programs are built around convenience and recurring household purchases. Walmart+ centers on grocery delivery and fuel savings, while Sam’s Club Plus adds warehouse pricing and bulk buying options that many families use for pantry staples, snacks, frozen foods, drinks, and paper goods.
Walmart framed the move as a value play at a time when shoppers are still focused on everyday costs. In the company’s announcement, CEO John Furner said, “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.” CBS News also reported that Walmart is using pricing and discounts to appeal to inflation-weary consumers.
For shoppers, the practical question is simple: does the bundle match how they actually buy food? People who already split trips between Walmart and Sam’s Club may see the most use from it, especially if they order groceries for delivery, buy gas regularly, and stock up on bulk items. Enrollment, upgrades, and account linking are available through Walmart and Sam’s Club online channels and apps, according to the company.