9 Store Clubs That Cost Money (and 7 That Probably Don’t)
Is it worth paying to get a discount? In 2023, it seems like almost every retail chain or grocery store has some sort of loyalty program that offers you perks in exchange for making regular purchases there. Some of these programs are “free” in the sense that you don’t pay for them (although you can donate some of your data – for example, your purchase history will be used for targeted ads and coupons).
But more and more stores are launching paid tiers for these programs, offering you to pay a monthly or yearly fee in exchange for the supposed benefits. If you’re the suspicious type, you might wonder how paying a store for the privilege of shopping there might be worth it, but sometimes it really is. Here are nine retailers whose paid membership programs are probably worth it, and seven that most likely aren’t.
Albertsons FreshPass
Paid tier cost: $12.99/month or $99/year.
Worth it? Yeah.
Albertsons (which merged with Kroger in 2022) is one of the largest grocery chains in the country, and its paid FreshPass membership tier is a pretty good deal for one simple reason: unlimited free shipping on orders over $30. There are other perks and discounts, but if you shop weekly, the $99 annual fee comes out to just under $2 shipping, which is pretty good .
Amazon Prime
Paid tier cost: $139 per year.
Worth it? Very.
Of course, Amazon Prime is part of Jeff Bezos’ plan to lure us all into his walled garden so he can close the gates, put up barbed wire, and control our lives. But he makes it very easy to tempt: The scattered services you get with a Prime membership are estimated to set you back around $1,100 if you have to pay for them separately. This means that even if you don’t use half or more of what Prime has to offer, you’re still doing pretty well. Heck, free shipping on its own is probably worth it if you shop a lot on Amazon and also watch The Lord of the Rings shows.
Bed, bath and more
Paid tier cost: $29 per year.
Worth it? Nope.
Bed, Bath & Beyond is still in business – if you can call it a business – but it’s doubtful that it will still be in business by the end of the year. This alone makes the paid membership a waste of money.
Barnes and Noble Premium
Paid tier cost: $39.99 per year.
Worth it? Yes, if you are a serious reader
If you’re a big reader and shop a lot at Barnes & Noble, then $40 for their premium membership can be a pretty good deal . It gives you a 10% discount on most purchases (in-store or online), a reward system that gives you $5 back for every $100 spent, and free standard shipping on all orders. There are many other perks, but only this discount will pay for your membership if you buy books on a regular basis.
My Best Buy
Paid tier cost: $49.99 or $179.99 per year.
Worth it? No, if you don’t like Best Buy
Best Buy has just introduced two new paid tiers to its existing loyalty program. For $50 a year, you get the perks of their free plan (free shipping, better order management), as well as exclusive discounts, faster shipping, and more generous return policies. For a whopping $179.99, you get all of this, plus 24/7 VIP support, access to Geek Squad specialists anytime (even for items you didn’t buy at Best Buy!), and a 20% discount on repairs. But none of this is worth the investment unless you buy a lot from Best Buy and need a lot of support. If you buy a TV there every few years or run around for a gadget back and forth, this is too much.
Blowjob, Costco, Sam’s Club
Paid BJ tier cost: $55 / $110 per year + $30 for additional members.
Costco Paid Tier: $60/$120 per year
Sam’s Club paid tier cost: $45/$100 per year.
Worth it? For some people
BJs , Costco , and Sam’s Club all operate on the same business model: you pay a membership fee to access items at wholesale prices. Because membership fees and perks are very similar, the usefulness of these memberships depends on how you use them. If you buy in bulk a lot, they can be very profitable. But with limited seats and the need to buy everything in bulk (which isn’t always a good deal ), it’s also easy to stumble and waste your money.
CVS Carepass
Paid tier cost: $5/month or $48/year.
Worth it? Yes, if you often shop at CVS.
Like all normal people, I end up in CVS 16 or 17 times a day, buying essentials that I somehow ran out of, or getting recipes and then buying essentials that I somehow ran out of. . If you’re also a regular CVS member, the $48 you spend on a Carepass membership will probably pay off because you get $10 every month in rewards. $10 is good for just this month, but if you use it every month, that’s already $120 in savings. Plus, you get discounts, shipping options, and access to a pharmacist hotline.
Game Stop Pro
Paid tier cost: $15 per year.
Worth it? Yeah.
Even if you only buy something from GameStop when slightly different versions of Call of Duty or Madden drop, it’s a worthwhile membership . Basically you get your $15 back in coupons within a month or so, plus a permanent 2% return and other discounts with your membership. This means that if you only buy one game, your membership is charged. There’s also a free print magazine, Game Informer , which is very unusual.
Kroger Boost
Paid tier cost: $59/$99 per year
Worth it? May be.
Kroger, which partnered with Albertsons in 2022, offers two levels of paid memberships : For $59 a year, you get free next-day grocery delivery, earn points on gas discounts (up to $1 a gallon off, which is pretty cool). . The free shipping alone makes this an attractive proposition if you shop regularly at Kroger. When you upgrade to the $99 tier, you get free same-day shipping for two hours, which is nice… but is $40 nice? I can’t remember the last time I was desperate for a two hour weekly grocery delivery, but maybe your life is a lot more interesting than mine.
Office Depot Business Select
Paid tier cost: $49 per year.
Worth it? Yes, if you are a small business owner
Yes, people apparently still shop at Office Depot, and while they offer a free rewards program for little people, they also have a paid small business tier . For $49 a year, you get discounts, early access to sales, discounts on business services like printing, and free shipping. If you’re ordering from Office Depot (or another office supply store), free shipping is a great deal.
Petco Vital Care Premier
Paid tier cost: $20 per month per pet.
Worth it? Yes.
For those of us with furry kids, the Petco Vital Care Premier membership is a steal. You earn points, get discounts and free food packages or visits to the hairdresser (which you also get in the free tier), but you also get unlimited scheduled veterinary checkups (at Petco or from a third-party veterinarian) and care discounts. , cat litter and food. Plus, you get rewards (about $15, which can bring your costs down to $5) and access to an exclusive support line. Free veterinary checkups and discounted haircuts make this membership worthwhile in and of itself.
REI cooperative
Paid tier cost: $30 one-time fee.
Worth it? Yes!
If you spend any time camping, hiking, or other outdoor activities, you should definitely sign up for an REI co-op membership . Unlike other programs, this is a one-time $30 fee – you never pay a dime to stay in the program. All you have to do is spend at least $10 on qualifying items each year and you’ll get 10% back in rewards that you can use towards future purchases. You also get discounts and even free shipping on certain purchases. A 10% return each year means you’ll pay for your membership even if you only shop at REI occasionally.
RH members (recovery equipment)
Paid tier cost: $175 per year.
Worth it? Yes, if you often buy furniture or are planning a major renovation.
If your home decor tastes are more fantasy-inclined, you’re probably familiar with RH (formerly Restoration Hardware) and their expensive furniture and knick-knacks. Because it’s a luxury brand, its paid membership tier isn’t cheap – it will cost you $175 a year. But it might be worth it if you’re buying what RH sells because you really get a lot of bang for your buck for that $175: 25% off all full price items and 20% off discounted items – plus you get free consultations by design. If you buy a lot of stuff from these stores, or plan to spend a ton of money on an updated interior decorating plan, this could mean some serious savings for you.
Sephora Same Day Unlimited
Paid tier cost: $49 per year.
Worth it? Nope.
All you really get for almost $50 is same day shipping . Will you ever come across makeup and find it’s a saving grace? May be. But Sephora offers same-day shipping (if available) for $6.95, so unless you need it more than four times a year, it’s probably not worth it.
Target Delivery
Paid tier cost: $10.99/month or $99/year.
Worth it? Probably no.
Target Shipt (which serves more than just Target stores) is essentially a personal shopper and delivery service. You choose your items, someone picks them up from the shelves, packs them, and delivers them to you. At first glance, it might cost $99/year ($8.25/month), but Shipt does mark up everything you buy, so you’ll pay a little more than if you bought the items in person ( about $5 more). with an average minimum order of $35 ). There is also a service charge, depending on the store you are shopping at. Unless you absolutely need someone else to shop for you, it’s probably not worth it.
walmart+
Paid tier cost: $12.95/month or $98/year.
Worth it? May be.
Ah, Walmart – if you live in a city dominated by Walmart, you know how easily it invades every aspect of your life. And if you shop at Walmart all the time, its paid membership tier might be worth it. At $98 a year, that’s a lot less than Amazon Prime, and the company is working on adding a lot of similar services, like streaming through Paramount+, but it’s still far behind Prime’s value proposition . You get free pickup and delivery, gas discounts, faster checkout (which is a life saver at many crowded Walmart stores), rebates, and other perks. But it all comes down to how often you shop at Walmart. Every damn day? It’s probably worth it. Sometimes? Probably no.