Warehouse Club Membership Deals

In an era of rising grocery costs, a warehouse club membership is one of the most effective tools for keeping your household budget in check. By shopping in bulk, members can save significantly on pantry staples, fresh produce, gasoline, and household essentials. But the savings start before you even enter the store.

Groupon partners with the nation's top wholesale clubs—Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale—to offer exclusive "new member" packages. These deals often effectively nullify the first year's membership fee by bundling the signup with Digital Shop Cards, coupons, or instant savings offers.

Comparing the Big 3: Costco vs. Sam’s Club vs. BJ’s

Not sure which club is right for you? While all three offer bulk savings, they each have unique advantages depending on your location and shopping style.

Costco Wholesale: The Premium Choice

Costco is widely recognized for its high-quality inventory and the popular Kirkland Signature™ brand, which rivals or beats national brands in quality.

• Best For: Shoppers seeking organic foods, high-end electronics, and premium housewares.
• The Experience: Known for its "treasure hunt" atmosphere, generous return policy, and famous food court.
• Membership Deal: Offers typically feature the Costco Gold Star Membership bundled with a Digital Shop Card (often $20–$40) sent after signup.

Sam’s Club: Tech-Savvy Savings

Owned by Walmart, Sam’s Club offers exceptional convenience through technology. The Scan & Go™ app allows you to scan items as you put them in your cart and pay on your phone, skipping the checkout line entirely.

• Best For: Busy families and small business owners who value speed and familiar brands.
• The Experience: Offers highly competitive gas prices and "Instant Savings" offers that load automatically to your card—no coupon clipping required.
• Membership Deal: Sam’s Club membership packages are frequently discounted by 50% or more, often dropping the annual entry price to under $25.

BJ’s Wholesale Club: The Supermarket Hybrid

BJ’s bridges the gap between a warehouse club and a traditional grocery store. It is the only club that accepts manufacturer coupons, allowing savvy shoppers to "stack" savings on top of store discounts.

• Best For: Shoppers with smaller pantries (smaller bulk sizes available) and couponers.
• The Experience: Features a full-service deli counter, butcher, and a wider variety of brand-name goods than competitors.
• Membership Deal: BJ’s Inner Circle memberships often have the lowest barrier to entry, with deeply discounted signup rates.

How to Choose the Right Club

If you have multiple clubs near you, consider these factors before buying your Groupon deal:

How to Redeem Your Membership Deal

Buying a membership on Groupon is slightly different from buying a product. Follow these steps to ensure you get your full benefits:

1. Purchase & Receive Voucher: After buying the deal on Groupon, you will receive a voucher code in your email or "My Groupons" account.
2. Online Activation: Do not take the voucher directly to the store. You must first redeem the code on the specific landing page provided in the instructions (e.g., a specific Costco or Sam's Club URL).
3. Registration: Enter your code and personal details to create your new membership account.
4. Visit the Member Desk: Once registered, visit the physical store location to take your photo and pick up your permanent membership card.
5. Get Your Bonus: If your deal included a Shop Card or promotional credit, it is typically emailed to you 1–2 weeks after you activate your membership in-store.