In today‘s increasingly digital world, more and more consumers are embracing the speed and convenience of mobile wallet payments. Over 50% of Americans are now using some form of contactless payment, with Apple Pay being the most popular choice for iPhone users.
As a wholesale retail leader known for its competitive prices and membership perks, many Sam‘s Club shoppers are wondering: does Sam‘s Club take Apple Pay? Here‘s everything you need to know about using Apple Pay at Sam‘s Club, along with some smart alternatives to make your shopping trip a breeze.
The Rise of Contactless Payments
Contactless payments, which include mobile wallets like Apple Pay and tap-to-pay credit cards, have seen massive growth in recent years. According to a 2021 report from Juniper Research, global contactless transaction values will reach $10 trillion by 2027, up from $4.6 trillion in 2022.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated the shift toward touch-free payments, with consumers prioritizing health, safety, and efficiency. A survey by Mastercard found that 79% of consumers worldwide are now using contactless payments, citing "safety and cleanliness" as key drivers.
"Contactless payments have become a driving differentiator for retailers, as consumers look to minimize interactions with shared surfaces," said Blake Rosenthal, executive vice president at Mastercard. "The pandemic has brought contactless payments from a nice-to-have feature to an essential need for consumers."
What Is Apple Pay and How Does It Work?
Apple Pay is a mobile payment and digital wallet service that allows users to make purchases using an iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad or Mac. It digitizes and replaces the credit or debit card chip and PIN transaction at credit card terminals.
To use Apple Pay, you simply add your participating credit or debit card to the Wallet app on your iPhone. When you‘re ready to make a purchase, double-click the side button on your iPhone or Apple Watch, glance at your screen to authenticate with Face ID or enter your passcode, and hold the top of your device near the contactless payment reader. You‘ll see "Done" on the display, along with a subtle vibration and beep, letting you know your payment was successful.
Apple Pay transactions are tokenized and encrypted, making it one of the most secure payment methods available today. Your actual credit card number is never shared with merchants or transmitted with the payment, and biometric data like Face ID or Touch ID helps prevent anyone else from using your device to make unauthorized purchases.
Does Sam‘s Club Accept Apple Pay?
Unfortunately, Sam‘s Club does not currently accept Apple Pay in-store or online. According to a customer service representative, there are no immediate plans for Sam‘s Club to adopt Apple Pay as a payment method.
While it may come as a disappointment for Apple Pay enthusiasts, Sam‘s Club does offer several other convenient payment options:
| Payment Method | Accepted at Sam‘s Club? |
|---|---|
| Sam‘s Club Credit | Yes |
| Walmart and Sam‘s Club Gift Cards | Yes |
| Visa Credit and Debit Cards | Yes |
| Mastercard Credit and Debit Cards | Yes |
| American Express Credit Cards | Yes |
| Discover Credit Cards | Yes |
| Checks (with valid photo ID) | Yes |
| Cash | Yes |
| SNAP/EBT | At select locations |
| Apple Pay | No |
| Google Pay | No |
| Samsung Pay | No |
So why doesn‘t Sam‘s Club take Apple Pay? There are a couple potential reasons.
Compared to traditional credit card networks like Visa and Mastercard, Apple Pay charges higher transaction fees to retailers. With millions of transactions processed each year, those fees can quickly add up and impact Sam‘s Club‘s bottom line.
Digital wallet services like Apple Pay also limit the customer data that retailers are able to collect. With its own branded credit cards and membership accounts, Sam‘s Club relies heavily on customer data for targeted marketing, promotional offers, and trend forecasting. Accepting Apple Pay would restrict Sam‘s Club‘s access to valuable customer insights.
How Sam‘s Club‘s Payment Options Compare to Other Wholesale Retailers
While Sam‘s Club doesn‘t accept Apple Pay, how do its payment options stack up against other major wholesale retailers? Here‘s a quick comparison:
| Retailer | Apple Pay | Google Pay | Samsung Pay | Visa | Mastercard | AMEX | Discover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam‘s Club | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Costco | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Only Costco Visa | Only Costco Visa |
| BJ‘s | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Meijer | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
As you can see, Sam‘s Club is somewhat of an outlier when it comes to accepting digital wallet payments. Costco, BJ‘s, and Meijer all accept Apple Pay, with Costco also accepting Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
However, Sam‘s Club offers the widest range of traditional credit card options, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Costco, on the other hand, only accepts Visa cards, while BJ‘s and Meijer don‘t accept Discover.
How to Pay with Your iPhone at Sam‘s Club
While you can‘t tap your iPhone at the register to pay with Apple Pay, you can still enjoy a speedy, contactless payment experience at Sam‘s Club with the Sam‘s Club app. The free app, available for both iPhone and Android devices, offers an array of helpful features, including:
- Scan & Go: Use your phone to scan items as you shop, pay directly in the app, and simply show your digital receipt to a Sam‘s Club associate on your way out—no waiting in line required!
- Order Online: Browse Sam‘s Club‘s full product selection online anytime, anywhere. Choose free curbside pickup at your local club, or have your order shipped directly to your door.
- Membership Management: Access your membership card, manage your account preferences, and browse personalized savings and sampling offers all within the app.
To use Scan & Go, follow these steps:
- Open the Sam‘s Club app and tap the Scan & Go icon
- Sign in with your Sam‘s Club membership account
- Scan the barcode on each item as you add it to your cart
- When you‘re done shopping, tap "Pay Now" and choose your linked payment method
- Tap "Pay" to complete your purchase
- Show your digital receipt to the associate at the exit door as you leave
Using Scan & Go in the Sam‘s Club app offers a faster, easier way to pay with your iPhone. Plus, you‘ll get a digital copy of your receipt and a running tally of your spending to help you stay on budget.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Using a Store App vs. Apple Pay
While using the Sam‘s Club app for contactless payments offers a convenient alternative to Apple Pay, there are some potential drawbacks to consider:
- Limited payment options: The Sam‘s Club app only allows you to pay with a linked credit or debit card, or your Sam‘s Club credit account. With Apple Pay, you have the flexibility to choose from any payment method added to your digital wallet.
- Requires a membership account: To use Scan & Go in the Sam‘s Club app, you‘ll need to sign up for a membership and link it to your account. Apple Pay can be used at any retailer that accepts contactless payments, with no membership required.
- May be less secure: While the Sam‘s Club app uses encryption and secure sign-in to protect your payment data, it may not offer the same level of security as Apple Pay. With Apple Pay, your actual credit card number is never shared with the retailer or stored on your device.
On the flip side, using a store app like Sam‘s Club‘s can offer some unique benefits:
- Personalized deals and rewards: By linking your membership account to the app, you can access personalized savings, exclusive offers, and even earn cash back on qualifying purchases.
- Integrated shopping features: In addition to contactless payments, the Sam‘s Club app offers helpful features like shopping lists, curbside pickup, and online ordering, all within one centralized hub.
- Streamlined checkout: With Scan & Go, you can skip the line and check out on your own terms, without needing to flag down a cashier or wait for an open register.
Ultimately, the best contactless payment method will depend on your individual needs and preferences as a shopper. If you frequently shop at Sam‘s Club and value perks like personalized deals and curbside pickup, the Sam‘s Club app may be your best bet. But if you‘re looking for a more flexible, secure way to pay across multiple retailers, Apple Pay is still a top choice.
The Future of Mobile Payments in Wholesale Retail
As mobile wallet usage continues to surge, it‘s clear that contactless payments are the way of the future. According to a report by Worldpay, 37% of all US point-of-sale transactions will be contactless by 2027, up from just 6% in 2020.
For wholesale retailers like Sam‘s Club, adapting to changing consumer preferences will be key to staying competitive in the digital age. While Sam‘s Club has been slow to embrace third-party digital wallets like Apple Pay, the company has shown a clear commitment to innovation with its Scan & Go technology and integrated app features.
"We‘re always looking for ways to use technology to improve the shopping experience for our members," said Eddie Garcia, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer at Sam‘s Club. "With Scan & Go, we‘re putting more control in the hands of our members and allowing them to shop on their own terms."
Looking ahead, it‘s likely that more wholesale retailers will adopt contactless payment options to meet the growing demand for fast, touch-free transactions. Whether through third-party digital wallets or proprietary store apps, the future of retail will be decidedly mobile-first.
The Bottom Line
While Sam‘s Club doesn‘t accept Apple Pay directly, you still have plenty of easy ways to pay with your iPhone. The Sam‘s Club app offers a fast, contactless payment experience with Scan & Go, while Instacart allows you to shop from anywhere and pay with Apple Pay.
As a savvy shopper, it‘s worth weighing the pros and cons of each payment method to find the best fit for your lifestyle. Consider factors like security, flexibility, rewards, and ease of use to make an informed decision.
Regardless of which contactless payment method you choose, one thing is certain: the way we shop and pay is rapidly evolving. By staying informed and adapting to new technologies, you can enjoy a faster, smarter, and more rewarding shopping experience at Sam‘s Club and beyond.
