Wondering if you should upgrade to a BJ’s Perks Rewards membership? Below is a side-by-side look to see if the upgraded membership is worth the extra cost.
We look at the other BJ’s memberships to help you decide which BJ’s membership is best for you and your family.
*Post has been updated in 2022.
I am up for renewal for my BJ’s membership and have analyzed the options for memberships and the cashback programs. I want to break down the possibilities for BJ’s members with the credit cards below.
BJ’s Wholesale Club Offers two credit card options to save even more at the club.
You save 25% off retail grocery prices- plus, when you stack coupons, you will save more than 25% if you buy any of these seven items at the club. In addition, you will pay for your $50 membership.
What if the cashback would pay for your membership from one of these two My BJ’s Perks credit cards?
The bottom line is that the BJ’s credit card may not be as good as other cash-back credit cards, but it is worth looking at if you are a frequent shopper at the club.
| PROS | CONS |
| Up to 5% cashback on most BJ’s Purchases | 1% Cash Back Shopping Everywhere Else Mastercard is Accepted |
| Up to $25 early Membership Savings2 with BJ’s Easy Renewal® | Not a high welcome bonus. |
| 10¢ Off Per Gallon at BJ’s Gas® Every Day | Not suitable for spending outside of BJ’s Club. |
| 2% Cash Back Dining Out | Rewards come in $20 increments and can only be used at BJ’s. |
| 2% Cash Back at Non-BJ’s Gas® Station | Rewards expire |
| NO ANNUAL CREDIT CARD FEE | |
BJ’s Regular Membership Card
Of course, you can always go the cheapest route and grab the $25 BJ’s Membership deal here. This BJ’s membership is best for those who don’t shop the club weekly and may only visit a few times a year. The original price for this membership is $55 for the year.
It’s worth checking out the club at a lower cost and then upgrading if you think you will shop more frequently.
For a complete guide on BJ’s Credit Cards tap here.
Should You Apply for a BJ’s My Perks Credit Card?
First, consider the amount of money you spend monthly at BJ’s. If you are a frequent shopper at the clubs, these cards will pay for your membership.
Let’s take a closer look:
- You open a BJ’s Perks Plus Credit Card.
Costs $55 a year. Receive 3% back on most in-club and BJs.com purchases.
Example:
You spend $150 a week at BJ’s. That is $600 a month. You will be earning $4.50 a week back. That is $18 a month.
Throughout 12 months=, $216. Still, the savings will pay for your membership if you spend $150 a week.
Remember that the rewards come in $20 increments, so at $600 a month, you won’t make the $20 increment.
How to Figure Out If a Perks Rewards Membership is Right For You
You only shop at BJ’s for specific items and not all your shopping needs. Yet, you spend $200 a month there.
That is $6 a month. That is $72 a year. Your membership is still paid for.
- You open a BJ’s Perks Elite Credit Card.
Costs $110 a year. Earn 5% back on most in-club and BJs.com purchases.
You spend $150 a week at BJ’s. That is $600 a month.
You will be earning $7.50 a week cashback. So that is $30 a month.
Throughout 12 months=, $360. Still, the savings will pay for your membership if you spend $150 a week.
You only shop at BJ’s for specific items and not all your shopping needs. Yet, you spend $200 a month there.
That is $10 a month. That is $120 a year. Your membership is still paid for.
There may be a few disadvantages compared to other cash-back credit cards, but the bottom line is if you are a BJ’s shopper, it makes sense to apply for one of these credit cards.
Currently, the interest rate is 28.99%.
SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON
| BJ’s Perks Plus | BJ’s Perks Elite |
| 3% Cashback | 5% Cashback |
| Ten ¢ off/gallon of gas | Ten ¢ off/gallon of gas |
| 2% cash back on dining out and other gas purchases | 2% cashback on eating out and other gas purchases |
| 1% cashback on other non-BJ’s purchases everywhere else Mastercard is accepted. | 1% cashback on other non-BJ’s purchases everywhere else Mastercard is accepted. |
| $25 Bonus Earnings towards awards for the first non-BJs purchase | $50 Bonus Earnings towards prizes for the first non-BJs purchase |
BJs added an expense sheet here if you want to see if this credit card will be worth it using it at other places.
If you are thinking about becoming a warehouse club member check out this post on seven things to avoid buying to save money.
BJs Perks Rewards Non-Credit Card Option
This membership doesn’t require any credit. Instead, you will pay $110 a year and earn 2% cashback. That is a hefty membership fee to get 2% cashback.
When you reach $20 in cashback, it shows up on your membership. Then, when you checkout, it will say you have $20 to use. Want to use it now?
If you choose to do so, $20 is taken off your total.
You can sign up for this one online if you want here.
BJ’s Easy Renewal Discounts
Once you apply for any BJ’s credit cards, you will be auto-enrolled in the ‘Easy Renewal’ program. Your store membership fee will automatically be billed to your credit card when it’s due.
You receive a $10 discount with the Perks Plus card, while the Perks Elite card gives $25. That reduces your BJ’s Membership Costs to $40 and $75, respectively.
SIGN UP HERE
Personal Note:
Since I run a Frugal Farm Girl blog, I can’t leave this post without mentioning having control over your spending. If you know that having a credit card opens a door for you, don’t do it. Even though you will save money, if you are spending more money than you have because you can put it on a credit card, it won’t be beneficial down the road.
Consider if you can pay off your credit card bill each month. The interest rate is pretty high at 15.24%- 25.24%.
You can also opt for the BJ’s Perks Rewards membership without a credit card. Offers only 2% cashback.
Do you have a My BJ’s Perks Card?
Will You be getting one after seeing this info?
The 5 Best Appetizers to Buy at BJs
We have for years now and love it. Only use at bjs as I have other cards for airlines etc.
We pay all off in full each month and have never paid one cent in interest on any card.
We get 20.00 off constantly at bjs. The 10 cent gas savings is probably worth it alone as we fill 2 cars each week and bjs gas is, by far, the cheapest around my area anyway. Love it and well worth it!!!
I’m still deciding, if we had a gas station then maybe but we don’t.
Thanks for posting
Yes credit card bjs mastercards blue
Thanks for the info
I recently applied for the World elite card. Just wondering – does anyone know how the ‘interest’ is calculated? I only ask as I spoke w/ a representative today and he stated the following: Although there is the monthly statement ‘cut-off’ – purchases after the statement date are subject and due interest as well?
It’s been my experience – purchases after a statement date cut goes towards the following months statement. Key, as long as one continues to pay the statement off in full – zero interest is accrued.
As a military member, we get a discount on our membership fee. It’s not much but helps. Sams Club offers the same military discount. I am a big fan of the silver BJS Elite card. I like the gas discount of 10 cents/gallon. I use my $20 bonus every time I shop. I don’t save them up. One con is that the coverage, protection and support is not great for this card. Check the terms of your account to see. Also there is a fee if you use your BJs Mastercard outside the US.
We have the elite card. We do most of our grocery shopping at bjs. The rewards are good for 5 or 6 mos. And you can watch and manage them on the bjs website. Currently I have $120 in rewards. I have $20 that expires in may. What we typically do is save the rewards till they hit $80 then I go pick up a gift card (visa/disney ) whatever I like. I take it to the checkout and purchase a $100 gc and use my 80 in rewards add 20 bucks out of pocket and tuck the gc away for christmas. So technically you can then use rewards at other places 🙂
I hadn’t thought of buying gift cards — that’s a great tip!!
My membership has expired
Why pay so much to reinstàte!
My brother, who is obsessive-compulsive about paying bills in a timely manner, cancelled his BJs Perks card after only 6 months because the bank thru which the BJs credit card is serviced kept charging him with a $27 late fee every month even though his payments were never late! Then to add insult to injury, the bank made him jump thru hoops to get the $27 back every month! He finally just cancelled the card.
Oh that is awful! Glad he was able to cancel it.
It would be nice to sign up for one of these cards. Since my family size is 16, we spend between $600-$800 in just one trip to BJ’s. So this card would be a life saver.
I have been shopping there for aleast 5 yrs. I have with good credit haven’t been approved but i spend thousands a year and only get 100 back in rewards.the anount i spend on the membership. Gonna try Costco tomorrow
I got the Perks card at the beginning of the year. There wasn’t a $50 bonus, but I got a $20 credit for making 5 purchases outside of BJ’s, that I could then use for BJ’s purchases.
I should of said they did Not give me
That’s strange. When did you apply? The pamphlet I just picked up at the club lists the $50 bonus earnings. They have it advertised in-club by the front of club coupons.
When I open their credit card they did give me $50 back for the first non bjs purchase until I called them. They told me their promotion ended a year ago.