The Offer
Amex released a new offer for Sam’s Club showing on some Amex business credit cards:
- Get 20% off a single purchase made at a Sam’s Club location
- Purchase must be $100 or more
- Max $250 (i.e. if you make a purchase more than $1,250, you’ll still just get $250 back, not more)
The Fine Print
- Valid through 1/31/17
- In-club only
- Excludes gas purchases
Our Verdict
Excellent offer. You’ll want to buy a full $1,250 in a single purchase to max this one out. Check your business cards and employee AU cards for this offer.
Sounds like you can just buy $1,250 in Sam’s gift card or other gift cards (which can be used at Sam’s, Walmart, and at Sam’s gas or can be resold), but I can’t say this for certain.
Here are 14 Things to Know about Amex Offer Deals.
Updates: See more information on this offer in the follow-up post, Amex Offers: My Trip to Sam’s Club. Also note that a couple of data points indicate that the single-transaction requirement is not being enforced so if you buy less than $1250 it could make sense to make a second purchase and hope for the best.
Hat tip to J.
Intel from my visit last weekend:
1) Getting a one-day pass in California (and a few other states) will allow you to purchase gift cards (and anything else) without having to pay the 10% surcharge on one-pass holders.
2) Multiple variable gift cards are unable to be rung up in one transaction — since the Amex offer states, “one-time, single transaction,” you may lose out on $150 ($750*0.2) of statement credit, if you purchase two or three variable cards (i.e. $500, $500, $250) in two or three transactions. YMMV.
3) Both cashiers who helped me stated (or suggested) that gift cards needed to be purchased with cash or debit; The second cashier was willing to try ringing up using credit, but you should expect pushback and may need to go to multiple cashiers to get them to process credit for gift card purchases.
4) For those that don’t have a Sam’s membership (or don’t live in a state that exempts them from the 10% surcharge on one-day pass holders), Sam’s has two membership bonus offers currently: (1) a “Big Game” promotion that gives you a $25 gift card, a take-and-bake pizza and a box of 18 cookies for $45 and (2) for “business owners,” a “Social” promotion that gives you a $25 gift card and a free upgrade to a Plus membership for $45.
I tried to use my Amex for this offer but was turned away.
Cash Only for Gift Cards they said.
I sent a message to customer care complaining about it and letting them know I’ve done it before recently.
The response was:
tayo.agboola [12:14 PM]
Sam’s Club Member,
Thank you for contacting Sam’s Club in regards to the type of payment that is accepted when you purchase a gift card in store. We value our members’ inquiries and suggestions. Providing excellent service is our highest priority.
For in store gift card purchases the only form of payment that is accepted is cash only. Sam’s Club does accept Visa and American Express online for gift card purchases.
If you need additional information, please use the Help Center link located at the bottom of any page on http://www.SamsClub.com.
Happy to Help,
XXXXX
Anyone know what to make of this???
On my trip (last weekend), the first cashier told me it was cash or debit only; the second asked me if I was paying by debit or cash, I said credit, and she said, “okay, let’s see if it lets me do it.” As someone else said upthread, it all depends on what cashier you choose/get and how willing they are to work around the rules/system. I’d go back and try another cashier (or two).
Just bought MC GCs at Sam’s Club with an Amex CC. Located in North Texas.
My sam’s club said no credit card for ANY gift card purchase! Might be temporary.
On my trip (last weekend), the first cashier told me it was cash or debit only; the second asked me if I was paying by debit or cash, I said credit, and she said, “okay, let’s see if it lets me do it.” As someone else said upthread, it all depends on what cashier you choose/get and how willing they are to work around the rules/system. I’d go back and try another cashier (or two).
I got it today (1/8/17) on amex gold biz cards.
For non-members with 1 day pass – do they charge 10% extra for gift card or visa card purchases as well?
I need to know this as well. Anyone?
No. Not for me in CA. Varies by state according to the coupon.
+1. The one-day pass allowed me to buy gift cards without 10% surcharge in CA. CA and a few other states are exempt from the 10% surcharge on one-day pass purchases.
Echoing Roberto, the one-day pass allowed me to buy gift cards without 10% surcharge in CA. CA and a few other states are exempt from the 10% surcharge on one-day pass purchases.
I see this offer is back and maybe doing 2nd round…………which AMEX cards does it show up on? Can someone make a LIST? Is it all SPG cards or all Business version cards only?
Is Amex BGR getting this offer?
Anybody else have info on this offer repeating itself? I can’t find it on any of my cards. It is not on the Delta Business AmEx where I first sawy it.
Anybody having Sam’s/Walmart GCs no longer get the 20% credit? My first purchase has the 20% credit applied the next day. The next two purchases have not received the credit, after almost two weeks.
Just noticed this was a one-time deal. Dang it!
It’s limited to one-purchase only, unfortunately.
Same-day purchases, back-to-back, seem to combined, but otherwise only first purchase counts.
Can you use a Sams gift card to buy a “regular” visa / Mastercard GC?
Posted under the other post, but anyway.
I did 2 transaction today (11/21/16)
1. $750 Disney GC
2. $500 MGC
Got one credit triggered by two transactions combined.
http://imgur.com/0GnZCdh