Last Updated on December 6, 2025 by Amrita Das
Grocery prices have fluctuated wildly in recent years, forcing many households to rethink how they fill their pantries. For millions of shoppers, the solution is buying in bulk. Warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale Club offer significant savings on everything from produce to paper towels. However, the savings don’t have to stop at the shelf price.
By pairing your membership with the right credit card, you can unlock cash back rewards that effectively lower your grocery bill even further.
But there is a catch: most warehouse clubs do not code as “supermarkets” or “grocery stores” on standard rewards credit cards. If you swipe a typical grocery rewards card at a warehouse club, you will likely earn a meager 1% back.
To maximize your return, you need a card specifically engineered for bulk buying. The challenge lies in identifying which card is truly the “cheapest” option.
You must weigh the annual fees, membership dues, and reward caps against the cash back you earn. This guide will show you the most cost-effective credit cards for wholesale club shopping, helping you squeeze every penny out of your membership.
Read More: Best Cashback Credit Cards for Groceries in the USA
The “Hidden” Cost of Warehouse Club Cards
When evaluating the cheapest credit card for wholesale clubs, you cannot look at the card’s annual fee in isolation. Most co-branded store cards technically have a $0 annual fee. However, they require an active store membership to apply and keep the card.
Therefore, the true “cost” of the card is the price of the annual membership.
- Costco: $65 (Gold Star) or $130 (Executive)
- Sam’s Club: $50 (Club) or $110 (Plus)
- BJ’s: $55 (Inner Circle) or $110 (Perks Rewards)
To determine the best value, you need to calculate how quickly your rewards will pay for that membership fee. A card that offers a high return on groceries (and gas) can pay for the membership entirely, making the card effectively free—or better yet, profitable.
Read More: Gas Station Credit Cards with Rewards You Should Know About
Save Big: The Cheapest Wholesale Club Credit Cards for Groceries
BJ’s One® Mastercard®: The Best Value for Base Members
If your goal is to earn high rewards without paying for a premium membership tier, the BJ’s One® Mastercard® is arguably your best bet.
While other clubs often reserve their highest cash back rates for members who pay for the expensive top-tier membership, BJ’s offers a generous return even at the entry level.
The Breakdown
- Membership Cost: $55/year (Inner Circle)
- Grocery Rewards: 3% back on most purchases at BJ’s.
- Gas Rewards: $0.10 off per gallon at BJ’s Gas.
- Outside Rewards: 1.5% cash back everywhere else.
Why It’s a Top Contender?
For a $55 entry fee, earning 3% back on in-club purchases is excellent value. Compare this to Sam’s Club, where entry-level members typically earn much less on the co-branded card for in-store purchases.
If you spend $153 per month at BJ’s, you will earn roughly $55 in rewards over the year, effectively breaking even on your membership cost. Anything you spend beyond that is pure profit.
Additionally, the 1.5% flat rate on purchases outside of BJ’s is decent for a store card, making it a viable backup card for your wallet.
For those willing to upgrade to the BJ’s One+® Mastercard®, the rewards jump to 5% back at BJ’s. While this requires the pricier $110 membership, big spenders will find the extra 2% return pays off the difference quickly.
Read More About BJ’s One® Mastercard®
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: The Gas Reward Powerhouse
Costco has a fiercely loyal following, and its co-branded card, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, is a major reason why. While the in-store grocery rewards are solid, the card’s true value—and what makes it “cheap” to hold—lies in its aggressive gas rewards.
The Breakdown
- Membership Cost: $65/year (Gold Star)
- Grocery Rewards: 2% back on Costco and Costco.com purchases.
- Gas Rewards: 4% on eligible gas and EV charging (up to $7,000 per year, then 1%).
- Dining/Travel: 3% cash back.
Why It’s a Top Contender?
At first glance, 2% back on groceries seems lower than BJ’s 3%. However, the Costco Anywhere Visa offers a stunning 4% back on gas anywhere (not just at Costco pumps).
If you commute regularly, this gas benefit alone can pay for your $65 membership fee in record time. For example, spending just $136 a month on gas would generate about $65 in annual cash back.
Once your membership cost is covered by your fuel savings, every grocery run at Costco becomes a 2% discount on already low prices.
The Redemption Catch
The main downside to this card is flexibility. You receive your cash back rewards once a year, in February, as a reward certificate. You must redeem this certificate at Costco (for cash or merchandise) before the end of the year. It works well for loyal shoppers, but it lacks the instant gratification of other cash back programs.
Read More About Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Sam’s Club® Mastercard®: High Potential, High Threshold
The Sam’s Club® Mastercard® is a study in contrasts. It offers some of the highest potential rewards in the wholesale game, but accessing them requires a higher upfront investment.
The Breakdown
- Membership Cost: $50 (Club) or $110 (Plus)
- Grocery Rewards: 1% to 3% (depending on membership level). To get the full 5% back (3% in Sam’s Cash on the card + 2% back from Plus membership), you usually need the Plus membership.
- Gas Rewards: 5% cash back on gas anywhere (on the first $6,000 per year).
- Dining: 3% cash back.
Why It’s a Top Contender?
If you drive a lot, the 5% gas reward is unbeatable. It caps at $6,000 per year, but maximizing that cap nets you $300—more than enough to cover even the premium Plus membership.
However, for strictly grocery shopping, the “cheap” path is less rewarding. If you stick to the standard $50 Club membership, the card’s in-club earning rate is lackluster (often just 1%).
To get significant rewards on your bulk toilet paper and frozen foods, you typically need to upgrade to the $110 Plus membership. This makes the barrier to entry higher than BJ’s or Costco if your primary goal is grocery rewards rather than gas savings.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards: The Flexible Alternative
Not everyone wants to be tied to a single store. If you split your shopping between different clubs, or simply don’t want to open a new credit card every time you switch memberships, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is a fantastic, flexible “cheap” option.
The Breakdown
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Grocery Rewards: 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs.
- Bonus Category: 3% in a category of your choice (Gas, Online Shopping, Dining, etc.).
- Caps: The 2% and 3% rates apply to the first $2,500 in combined spend each quarter.
Why It’s a Top Contender?
This card allows you to earn 2% cash back at wholesale clubs without requiring a specific store affiliation. It works at Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s alike.
While 2% matches Costco’s rate and beats the basic Sam’s Club rate, the real magic happens if you are a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member. If you keep a high balance in bank accounts, your rewards rate can increase by 25% to 75%.
This could boost your wholesale club earning rate up to 3.5%, making it arguably the most lucrative card for bulk shopping without being tied to a specific retailer’s redemption rules.
U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card: The Heavy Hitter
For shoppers who spend heavily at big-box stores, the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards® Visa Signature® Card offers eye-popping numbers, but it comes with a literal price tag.
The Breakdown
- Annual Fee: Zero Dollar for the first year, then $95.
- Grocery Rewards: 6% cash back at two retailers of your choice (including Costco, Target®, and Walmart).
- Caps: The 6% rate applies to the first $1,500 in combined spending per quarter.
Why It’s a Top Contender?
Earning 6% back at a wholesale club is unheard of. If you max out the $1,500 quarterly cap, you earn $360 in cash back per year from that category alone.
However, is it the “cheapest”? After the first year, you must pay a $95 annual fee. You need to do the math:
- $360 max rewards – $95 fee = $265 net profit.
Compare this to a no-fee card earning 2% on the same $6,000 spend ($120 profit). The U.S. Bank card still comes out ahead by $145, assuming you consistently max out the spending cap. If your spending is lower, the annual fee might eat up too much of your rewards.
Read More: Hidden Perks Of Cashback Credit Cards Most People Don’t Know
