Maximize Savings at Warehouse Clubs: Top Credit Cards for Bulk Shopping
Warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s are popular for offering bulk goods at discounted prices. They offer substantial savings on groceries, household goods, and more. But to truly optimize your shopping experience, consider pairing your membership with a credit card that rewards you for bulk purchases.
When selecting a credit card for these stores, you should look for features such as cashback rewards, membership perks, and special financing options. Here’s a breakdown of the top options to maximize your return on spending:
Co-Branded Cards:
- Costco Anywhere Visa® Card: This card offers a compelling 2% cash back on all Costco purchases (including gas stations) and Costco.com. Additionally, cardholders enjoy extended warranties and exclusive discounts on travel and other services. However, keep in mind it requires an annual fee and only accepts Visa payments.
- BJ’s Wholesale Club Credit Cards: BJ’s offers two tiers: BJ’s One Mastercard® and BJ’s One+ Mastercard®. Both provide cash back rewards on BJ’s purchases, with the One+ card offering a higher rate (5% vs. 3%). These cards also boast benefits like gas station discounts and rewards on dining.
- Sam’s Club® Mastercard®: This card caters to Sam’s Club shoppers by offering 5% cash back on gas purchases at Sam’s Club stations and 3% back on dining and travel.
Universal Rewards Cards:
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This popular card offers a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases, including those at warehouse clubs (though rewards might be categorized as wholesale instead of groceries, potentially excluding bonus rates). It boasts no annual fee, making it a flexible option for various spending categories.
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card: This card allows you to choose a bonus category for maximized rewards. While warehouse clubs might not be a specific option, categories like gas or online shopping can be useful depending on your spending habits.
- Citi® Double Cash Card: Offers 2% cashback on all purchases, 1% when you buy plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
- Chase Freedom Flex®: Features rotating quarterly categories that sometimes include warehouse clubs, offering 5% cashback on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate.
Look for Special Financing Offers
Cards that provide special financing options can be beneficial, especially for large purchases typically made at warehouse clubs.
You might need tires from Sam’s club and can range from $1,000 on up they might have 0% for 6,12, or 18 months:
- Sam’s Club Mastercard: Offers cashback on purchases made within and outside of Sam’s Club. It can be especially valuable for Sam’s Club members due to the specific rewards and financing options it offers.
Getting No Annual Fee Plus Rewards is Always a Great Perk!
Opting for a credit card without an annual fee ensures that your rewards aren’t negated by yearly charges, which is crucial for maximizing savings on your wholesale purchases.
You can earn your membership fee back in Costco rewards over the year:
- Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: While it requires a Costco membership, it offers impressive cashback rates on various categories including gas, restaurants, travel, and all purchases at Costco and Costco.com.
Choosing the Right Card:
- Consider your primary warehouse club: If you’re a loyal shopper at a specific store, their co-branded card likely offers the most lucrative rewards. If you love Costco get the Costco card. Got a Sam’s club nearby? Apply for the Sam’s credit card.
- Evaluate your spending habits: Do you frequently buy gas at the warehouse club station? Cards with bonus gas rewards might be ideal.
- Annual fees: Co-branded cards can come with annual fees, so weigh the potential rewards against the cost.
Additional Tips:
- Pay your balance in full: Earning rewards is pointless if you incur high-interest charges by carrying a balance.
- Compare rewards programs: Look beyond just cash back. Some cards offer travel points, extended warranties, or other valuable perks.
You can significantly enhance your savings potential at warehouse clubs, like higher rewards as a Sam’s Club Plus member. Take a look at the savings potential, earnings potential and decide if it works for you!
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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