The Sam's Club Discover, offered through GE Capital Bank, enables club members to earn rewards for spending while enjoying the benefits offered by Discover.
Benefits
This card is a way for frequent customers of Sam's Club to save money on purchases.
Rewards
Depending on the membership level, cardholders have the opportunity to collect up to $5,000 cash back on a yearly basis. The cash back tiers vary by reward level.
| Advantage Plus Members | Advantage Members and Non-Members |
| $0 to $1,500.00: 0.25% | $0 to $1,500.00: 0.25% |
| $1,500.01 to $3,000.00: 0.50% | $1,500.01 to $3,000.00: 0.50% |
| $3,000.01 to $5,000.00: 1.00% | $3,000.01 to $250,000.00: 1.00% |
| $5,000.01 to $10,000.00: 1.75% | n/a |
| $10,000.01 to $250,000.00: 2.00% | n/a |
Cash back is distributed each February, and the checks are redeemable at retail locations.
In-Store ATM
Cardholders are able to retrieve up to $100.00 cash back at checkout without being assessed a higher APR or cash advance fee. This impressive feature, which is unusual for most credit card products, also enables you to quickly access funds from your credit card without having to pay the ATM usage fees that typically apply when withdrawing funds.
Drawbacks
As with any credit card, there are drawbacks that you should consider before committing.
Stringent Rebate Policy
To be eligible for a cash back reward at the completion of each year, you must have a reward balance of at least $5. Rebates are valid for six months from the date of issuance. However, certain circumstances may cause you to forfeit your balance. This occurs in instances where:
- The account is closed for any reason other than theft
- Membership to Sam's Club ends
- Two or more minimum payments are remitted after the due date
Reviewers from Credit Shout also noted their dissatisfaction with the policy on expired rebates and noted that no remedies were available for individuals who fell into any of these categories.
Cash Back Limits
The company's website proudly boasts that cardholders can earn up to 2% cash back by using this credit card. However, Kevin Fleming from Credit Shout pointed out in a recent review that this is not possible for Advantage Members since the maximum they can earn is 1%. Advantage Plus Members are eligible for the 2% cash back, but only if they expend a large amount of funds due to the minimum threshold of $10,000.01.
Poor Customer Service
Discover is known for the exceptional customer service it provides to account holders. However, individuals do not get to enjoy this luxury because the card is managed by G.E. Capital Retail Bank. Reviewers from Credit Karma encountered negative experiences on several occasions.
Lacks Budgeting Capabilities
Reviewers from Credit Karma who wished to track their expenditures with budgeting tools -such as Quicken- were unable to do so because the credit card transaction system failed to interface with the software.
How to Apply
To apply for a Sam's Club Discover, visit their website and create a member profile. Upon completion, you will be able to apply for this credit card.
Is the Sam's Club Discover Right for You?
Given the cash back offered to members, it is worth considering if you are a frequent customer and Advantage Plus member. However, if you do not fit into either of those categories, more attractive products that offer flexible perks and introductory offers are available elsewhere.
