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A Sam’s Club membership comes with many benefits that are good for your budget, such as discounted bulk purchases, a 100 percent guarantee on items purchased, and of course, cheaper gas.
But buying fuel at Sam’s Club isn’t for everyone. Here are some reasons you might want to skip the gas station lines at the wholesale club.
1. Most Sam’s Club gas stations require a membership
Not surprisingly, you need a Sam’s Club membership to buy gas at most of the company’s stations. Some locations don’t require a membership, but you’ll pay about $0.05 more per gallon.
But you pay a price for the cheaper gas. A basic club membership costs $50 a year, while a Sam’s Club Plus membership costs $110. Both offer access to the company’s gas stations.
For some people, joining a wholesale club is a smart way to save money. But if you’re only signing up to get cheap gas, you might want to reconsider. Ask yourself how often you actually go to Sam’s Club to fill up your car. If that’s not often, it might not be worth it.
And considering that the national average price for a gallon of gas is just $3.44, lower than prices in 2022 and 2023, finding the cheapest gas for your budget may not be as critical as it once was.
2. They are not always conveniently located
The nearest Sam’s Club is about 15 minutes away on a good day. That’s not a long drive, but it’s not on the side of town where I spend most of my time, and the store is on a road that gets congested on weekends and during rush hour.
For these reasons, it wouldn’t be worth it for me to fill up at Sam’s Club. You might have better luck where you live, but it might be worth checking out where Sam’s Club is located before deciding whether to regularly fill up at its stations.
3. Costco has better fuel
I know there are Sam’s Club loyalists and Costco diehards, and many of them can’t be convinced to switch to the other side. But if you’re looking for cheap, high-quality gas, Costco is hands down the better choice.
Costco’s fuel meets independent Top Tier fuel standards that make engines 19 times cleaner than conventional gasoline, making them more efficient and powerful. Unfortunately, Sam’s Club’s fuel does not meet the Top Tier rating.
A clean engine may not be that important to you, but if you’re looking for the best fuel for your vehicle, Sam’s Club’s competitor may be your best bet.
You can still benefit from membership
While there are a handful of reasons not to fill up at Sam’s Club, a membership may still be the right choice for you. With tons of discounted items, same-day delivery options, and a free membership for one member of your household, the standard Sam’s Club membership is a good deal at $50 per year.
Be sure to do your research beforehand to decide if it’s worth going to a Sam’s Club gas station, especially if that’s the main reason for purchasing a membership.
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We strongly believe in the Golden Rule, and editorial opinions are solely our own and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by the advertisers involved. The Ascent does not cover all offerings in the market. Editorial content on The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool’s editorial content and is produced by a different team of analysts. Chris Neiger does not own any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns a position in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
