Comparison · Verified May 2026
Costco vs Sam's Club gas: which is cheaper in 2026?
Costco usually wins on per-gallon savings. Sam's Club wins on lower membership cost and broader card acceptance. Here's the side-by-side on what actually matters at the pump.
Quick answer
Costco wins if
- You buy more than ~10 fills/year (membership payback)
- You already pay with Visa
- You shop Costco for groceries anyway
- You live in a volatile-pricing market (CA, IL, NY)
Sam's Club wins if
- You drive less than ~250 gallons/year
- You pay with Mastercard, Amex, or Discover
- You already have Walmart+ (10¢/gal stack)
- You want 5% gas back at any station (Sam's Mastercard)
Side-by-side
All figures verified May 2026. Sam's Club raised both membership tiers earlier this year, so older comparison articles still show outdated numbers.
| Category | Costco | Sam's Club |
|---|---|---|
| Typical savings vs local average | 10-30¢/gal (30-40¢ in volatile markets) | 20-26¢/gal (OPIS April 2026) |
| Base membership (2026) | $65/yr (Gold Star) | $60/yr (Club, raised April 2026) |
| Premium membership tier | $130/yr (Executive), 2% reward up to $1,250 | $120/yr (Plus, raised May 2026), 2% Sam's Cash up to $500 |
| Co-branded gas credit card | Costco Anywhere Visa, 5% Costco gas / 4% other gas, $7K cap, $0 annual fee | Sam's Club Mastercard, 5% gas worldwide, $6K gas cap, $5K total cashback cap, $0 annual fee |
| Top Tier certified | Yes | Yes |
| Approximate US gas stations | ~500 | ~580 |
| Payment methods at pump | Visa (any issuer), Costco Anywhere Visa, Costco Shop Cards, cash, debit | Mastercard, Visa, Amex, Discover, Sam's Club Credit, Walmart+ scan, cash, debit |
| Walmart+ stack ($98/yr) | Not applicable | 10¢/gal off (also Walmart, Murphy USA, select Exxon/Mobil) |
Membership math
Assuming a typical 25¢/gal savings at either club versus your local average. In real markets Costco often saves 5-10¢ more per gallon than Sam's Club, which flips heavier drivers toward Costco in volatile markets.
Light driver
250 gal/year
- Costco: $62.50 saved minus $65 = -$2.50 net
- Sam's: $62.50 saved minus $60 = +$2.50 net
Sam's Club wins.
Median driver
480 gal/year
- Costco: $120 saved minus $65 = +$55 net
- Sam's: $120 saved minus $60 = +$60 net
Sam's Club wins by $5.
Heavy driver
750 gal/year
- Costco: $187.50 saved minus $65 = +$122.50 net
- Sam's: $187.50 saved minus $60 = +$127.50 net
Sam's Club wins by $5.
The credit-card stack
Both clubs offer a co-branded card with $0 annual fee for members. The rates look similar at 5% on gas but the scope and caps differ enough to matter.
Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi
- 5% back on gas at Costco
- 4% back on other gas and EV charging
- $7,000 annual combined cap on gas plus EV
- 1% after the cap
- $0 annual fee (Costco membership required)
- Cash back redeemed once per year via certificate
Sam's Club Mastercard
- 5% back on gas worldwide at any station
- $6,000 annual cap on gas category
- 3% on dining and travel
- 1% on everything else
- $5,000 total annual cashback cap across all categories
- $0 annual fee (Plus membership for full rewards)
The Sam's Club Mastercard travels better because the 5% applies at any gas station, not just Sam's Club. The Costco card's 4% on non-Costco gas is still strong, but Sam's wins on the rate-anywhere question if you fill up off your usual route.
One more compare-and-save lever
The same comparison habit that earns the warehouse-club discount works on auto insurance. Most drivers haven't reshopped in 18+ months, leaving 5-15% in renewal-rate inflation on the table.
Frequently asked questions
Is Costco gas cheaper than Sam's Club in 2026?
On average, yes, by a small margin. Costco typically prices 10-30¢ below local averages while Sam's Club typically runs 20-26¢ below per OPIS data. Costco's discount widens during volatile markets, reaching 30-40¢ in some regions. In stable markets the two clubs are closer to parity, and your nearest-station comparison matters more than the brand.
Which membership pays back faster for gas alone?
Sam's Club Club tier ($60/yr) pays back at ~240 gallons of fuel using a 25¢/gal saving assumption. Costco Gold Star ($65/yr) pays back at ~260 gallons. Both clear payback for any driver who buys more than about 5 fills/year. Costco wins on per-gallon math in volatile markets; Sam's wins on lower membership cost for light drivers.
Do Costco gas stations accept Mastercard or American Express?
No. Costco gas stations accept Visa (any issuer), the Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi, Costco Shop Cards, cash, and debit. They do not accept Mastercard, American Express, or Discover at the pump. Sam's Club accepts all four major card networks plus Walmart+ scan and Sam's Club Credit, which is the bigger acceptance advantage of the two.
Is Costco or Sam's Club gas Top Tier certified?
Both are Top Tier certified. Both fuels meet the voluntary detergent additive standard agreed by major automakers including GM, Honda, Toyota, BMW, and others. Top Tier status is about additive package, not octane or pump price.
Does Walmart+ save more at Sam's Club gas?
Walmart+ membership ($98/yr) adds 10¢/gal off at Sam's Club, Walmart fuel centers, Murphy USA, and select Exxon and Mobil stations. Stacking Walmart+ with the Sam's Club Mastercard (5% on gas worldwide) is the strongest discount configuration for non-Costco fuel buying.
Does Costco Executive membership pay back for gas-only buyers?
Usually not. Executive ($130/yr) pays back over Gold Star ($65/yr) when you spend $3,250 or more annually at Costco overall (2% reward on the $65 upgrade). Gas alone almost never gets you there. The Executive tier is a grocery-and-merchandise decision, not a fuel decision.
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Costco and Sam's Club are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Used here for nominative reference only. Gas Price Check is not affiliated with either company. Membership rates, card terms, and savings spreads verified May 2026 and subject to change.