Retail Chains With The Best 'Member-Only Savings'

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Everyone loves a discount. Getting a price reduction on the things you'd be buying anyway can feel like a big win, and that emotional high is likely a big part of why couponing and discount-delivering browser extensions are so popular. It's also why retailers offer discounts in the first place. Getting customers through the door can help drive additional sales, after all. Many outlets bundle up their best deals behind a membership wall, though. You'll often find routine price drops throughout the retail landscape, but to really take advantage of the best pricing a store has to offer, it's often necessary to sign up for a loyalty card, give your email address to the system, or perhaps even pay for a discount program. This last one might sound counterintuitive, but for many buyers, a small upfront fee can ultimately save tons of money on routine shopping. At Costco, members can save over $1,000 on groceries at the extreme end. Specifically, Cayla Eagon, a Medium writer, did the math on her membership financials in 2021 and found that she saved $450 yearly on top of recouping the membership fee.

Costco is an obvious membership option for those seeking discounted retail pricing. The bulk outlet carries a huge range of goods from home furnishings to every kind of grocery staple you might want. But that's just one store among many that offer great member pricing offers, and some won't cost you anything for access.

Amazon is potentially the most visible retailer on the planet. Asian eCommerce titan Alibaba is larger, but Amazon has a presence in Europe, Africa, South America, and a few Asian countries including India, Singapore, and Japan. More to the point for American shoppers, Amazon will make up over 40% of all eCommerce sales in the U.S. in 2025, according to Upcounting. Amazon's business model revolves around many divergent threads, and there are a few sneaky ways the outlet gets shoppers to spend more mixed in. The Prime membership offered by Amazon is one of its biggest breadwinners, though. It's estimated that there are more than 180 million Amazon Prime members in the United States, making more than half the population a subscriber to the service. That's a genuinely remarkable statement. Amazon Prime is by far the most popular retail membership among U.S. consumers, and that nets the company over $44 billion (globally) before selling a single item.

Prime members get access to free one- and two-day delivery services, and same-day dispatch on selected items. Prime subscribers also gain access to streaming services like Prime Video and Amazon's music service. You'll get photo storage and games through Amazon Luna included, too. Amazon Fresh, Prime Day deals, Amazon credit card options (although using a store-specific credit card isn't always a good idea), and more round out a packed ecosystem of perks.

Best Buy features three membership levels. The free option requires a basic sign up involving your email address and some standard personal information. Once you've enrolled in the My Best Buy membership program, you can access free shipping without minimum purchase amounts. This is the standard shipping option, but it can add up to a decent savings volume if you're an online shopper that frequently buys from the outlet.

Beyond the free membership program that offers this singular perk, the My Best Buy ecosystem introduces two additional tiers. The "Plus" option costs $49.99 per year and features an extended 60-day return window on most products. This can be a major help for many purchasers, especially around the holidays. Planning your gadget gifting for loved ones becomes a bit easier if you have a longer return window that conveniently adds the entire month of November into its coverage. Plus members also gain access to exclusive pricing and deals, free two-day shipping, and access to member-only sales, events, and product releases. For those who are big Best Buy shoppers, the "Total" threshold costs $179.99 per year, but offers 20% off repairs, in-store and remote services for computers and tablets, 24/7 tech support, and protection plans built into purchases. This all, on top of the benefits outlined in the other membership levels. The outlet probably didn't mean to infuse the programs with a bit of comedy, but you'll find "product ratings" alongside the two paid tiers. For what it's worth, tens of thousands of customers have reviewed both, giving each one a 4-plus star rating.

REI Co-op (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) is a quality source of all things outdoors. The outlet stocks everything you might need for a camping or hiking trip. The retailer also offers an interesting membership model. Paying a one-time $30 sign-up fee makes you a member for life. You'll enjoy an annual 10% back on all eligible purchases, and the outlet offers a raft of other benefits to its members. You'll get free standard shipping throughout the U.S., and gain access to member-only discounts. For instance, REI freqeuntly runs specials and sales for members, sometimes including an extra 25% off REI Outlet purchases. Members can also buy and trade in used gear, getting something back for their older equipment and giving new life to other gear that still has something in the tank but no longer serves its original owner's needs. Trade-ins are a great way to enjoy discounted pricing while also lengthening the life of an item and keeping it out of the landfill a little while longer.

Realistically a one-time membership purchase that yields a big discount on your resupply expenses ahead of another outdoor adventure might pay for itself in one transaction. This could mean a long relationship with the retailer that gives back perks for many years after the sign-up fee has paid for itself, and because its a co-op, you get a stipend each year based on how much you spent. Recently, TheOutdoorGearReview posted on YouTube about financial problems for REI, though. This might place it in jeopardy of joining numerous other popular retail chains facing financial challenges.

CVS is a pharmacy that most Americans will be familiar with. The retailer operates more than 9,000 locations across the country, and can be found in nearly 3,500 American cities. CVS is more than a pharmacy, though. The store carries all kinds of additional products, and it's seemingly a must-stop location for people heading to the beach given all the CVS stores that can be found near coastlines and the plethora of sunscreen, aloe products, cold drinks, and beach gear stocked inside them. CVS offers a membership program that can make its offerings even more valuable, though. Members can save hundreds on routine purchases in the store, with access to special sale pricing, free delivery, and 2% ExtraBucks back on spending (both in-store and online).

The ExtraCare membership program is free, and grants access to these perks. ExtraCare Plus costs $5 per month and offers 20% off CVS Health branded products, free same-day delivery, and plenty of other benefits like free same-day prescription deliveries and a 24/7 pharmacist helpline. These are all particularly useful benefits for those who already use CVS as their primary pharmacy location for picking up prescriptions after seeing the doctor. However, even if you aren't a frequent CVS shopper, the free membership program is well worth a sign-up to gain access to a nice selection of perks when you do fly into the store.

The "Nordy Club" offers members one point per dollar spent, providing a bankable reward that can be translated into in-store purchasing power later on. Signing up for the Nordy Club is free and only requires you to give Nordstrom your phone number when checking out. Linking in with this offer, if you sign up for a Nordstrom credit card, something that, again, should be done carefully, you'll rack up additional points on purchases (up to three points per dollar). This allows for an even faster accumulation of rewards points that can be used for shopping at a later date. New cardmembers get $40 off their next purchase, and users of the credit card can save an additional 5% at Nordstrom Rack.

Nordstrom is a classic department store chain that stocks plenty of fashionable clothing and jewelry items, among many other goods. It's a common sight in shopping malls and beyond, making the chain easily visible. It's also worth noting that your best bet for finding great bargains on products at Nordstrom Rack in particular comes when visiting early in the day. Moreover, the best days of the week to visit are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.

McDonald's is a truly gigantic corporation, with gross profits ranging into the tens of billions each year, according to MacroTrends. It's a publicly traded company that many people invest in for the consistent dividend payouts, too. So if you're inclined, you can tap into the burger brand's ongoing success to help fuel a portion of your own savings strategy. McDonald's has long been known as a cheap and cheerful fast food option, and the retail brand has even been exploring ways to increase the savings that eaters can access recently. The outlet's McValue platform is one new offering, but the MyMcDonald's Rewards app is another important feature of the customer experience.

The app allows you to earn bonus points on orders, redeeming them for free menu items. You can also link your payment card to the app, allowing you to accumulate extra points with your first app-based payment at McDonald's and streamlining the process of ordering at the restaurant and earning points for your meals. You can also get free sandwiches at the fast food joint by filing out the survey that prints on your receipt. Keeping these receipts in your wallet or car and redeeming them for free food whenever the mood strikes is another great way to reduce the cost of a meal while you're out and about.

You'll earn one star for every dollar spent at Starbucks, and two stars for every dollar spent loading up your Starbucks card. This can translate into plenty of bonus points for those who frequent the chain coffee outlet. Creating an account is easy, and working through the app allows you to explore your rewards options and manage your details. You can purchase drinks, food items, and card credit directly through the app, as well. For reference, a hot or iced coffee, or a bakery item costs 100 stars, and a bag of coffee beans will run you 300 stars.

Members can get free food and other perks thrown into the mix, as well as a birthday treat. The coffee giant also offers star bonuses including double star days, bonus earning challenges, and games to make collecting these rewards perks even more interesting. Users can also link eligible Bank of America cards to their Starbucks rewards card to earn 2% cash back and bonus stars, as well as Marriott Bonvoy and Delta SkyMiles accounts. These can help you accumulate crossover benefits a little faster, especially if you're a frequent drinker of the Seattle-born cup of Joe.

Walmart is obviously on the minds of many shoppers. The brand has been a mainstay of the American retail experience for more than a generation, opening its first store in Arkansas in 1962. Today the brand has a global reach with more than 4,600 stores in the United States and over 10,750 globally, spread across 19 countries. Walmart Plus offers grocery delivery for free and price reductions on things like gasoline that help reduce the cost of things you buy on a regular basis. Missing out on Walmart Plus is a great way to spend extra money at the outlet and elsewhere. The program includes a basic subscription to Paramount+, a streaming service that currently costs $7.99 per month. Compared to the $8.17 per month that the Walmart membership costs (or potentially even half that if you're using government assistance programs), you'll nearly recoup the entirety of your spend just by canceling your direct debit to Paramount and building access into your Walmart membership.

Members get free pharmacy delivery, and can actually choose between Paramount+ and Peacock for the included streaming access. Free same-day grocery delivery is also built into the program, as well as 25% off Burger King digital orders and a free Whopper every three months. You'll also get access to free flat tire repair and early access to Walmart price reductions and deal offerings like Black Friday specials.

BJ's is one of the three main wholesale-type retailers that American shoppers can utilize. The outlet offers two membership levels, called "BJ's Club" and "BJ's Club+." They'll set you back $60 and $120 per year, respectively. The standard membership offers access to the retailer, alongside built-in benefits like a 100% money back guarantee, an additional household member, manufacturers' coupon usage, and exclusive BJ's coupons through the retailer's app.

If you opt for the plus membership, you'll enjoy 2% back in rewards on spending, as well as an additional 5 cents off per gallon at BJ's Gas. Curbside pickup and ordering is free (and $3.99 for orders less than $50 for regular members). You'll also get two free same-day deliveries with the more expensive membership tier. There are over 200 BJ's locations across 17 U.S. states. If you live near one, it may be a solid option for routine discounts on the products you frequently purchase to run your household.

Sam's Club is a bulk retail outlet that operates 601 stores across the country. They can be found in over 500 cities across 45 states and U.S. territories. Sam's Club features special discounts and plenty of perks. Lowered membership rates are also available for teachers, students, health care professionals, and military service members (making is something that can work well in concert with your standard military discount options). Members-only gas prices at Sam's Club locations, a second card to allow entry for a family member or friend, and discounted pricing across the store are all built into the experience.

The retailer operates two membership options, a "Club" and "Plus" distinction. Plus members get 2% Sam's Cash back, early access to the store, savings at the tire and battery center, optical center, and pharmacy, and free shipping on orders over $50, among a few other enhanced benefits. Joining Sam's Club is a particularly attractive option for consumers seeking high-impact savings because both rates are discounted for members in their first year. The standard price is $50, brought down to $15, and the Plus tier costs $110 for the year, discounted for new enrollees to $50. If you live near a location, the standard membership price set at $15 is something of a no-brainer. You'll likely save that in your first trip or two to the bulk retailer when shopping for groceries.

Costco is the obvious inclusion on this list. Costco has been the preeminent discount retailer on the top of American shoppers' minds for decades. Founded in 1983, there are now more than 800 Costco locations around the world and 634 in the U.S., with a presence in 49 states and territories. Costco stores are all over the place, but they're clustered around metropolitan areas more prominently, making Sam's Club the ideal choice for many rural residents and Costco a perhaps stronger option for those in suburban and city environments.

Costco offers discounted pricing on numerous goods, including clothing and jewelry, groceries, and more. "Gold Star" membership is the standard, with a price tag of $65 per year. For $130 per year, you'll enroll in the "Executive Member" program, gaining access to additional Costco service discounts, a $10 monthly credit on Instacart and SameDay.Costco.com. Executive Members can also enter the store early, taking advantage of new product rollouts or price drops before others. You'll also get a 2% reward bonus at this tier.