BJ's Wholesale Club has built a membership model that generates serious recurring revenue, with $115 million in membership fee income in Q3 fiscal 2024 alone. For e-commerce brands looking to understand how tiered membership programs drive customer lifetime value, BJ's two-tier structure offers a practical blueprint.
BJ's currently serves approximately 8 million members across 267 clubs in 22 states. In an economic environment where household budgets remain under pressure, warehouse club memberships aim to deliver value through member pricing and bulk purchasing.
Whether you're considering a BJ's membership for personal savings or studying the model to inform your own retention strategy, this breakdown covers everything from tier benefits and renewal mechanics to cancellation processes and maximizing value.
Key Takeaways
- Two-tier membership structure: Club membership costs $60 per year, while Club+ costs $120 per year and adds 2% back in rewards on eligible BJ's purchases, capped at $500 per 12-month period, 5 cents per gallon at BJ's Gas, and two free same-day deliveries per membership year on eligible orders of $50 or more. At about $3,000 in eligible annual spending, the 2% reward offsets Club+'s $60 premium over Club.
- Auto-renewal supports recurring revenue: BJ's Easy Renewal automatically charges participating members the then-current membership fee unless they opt out. BJ's reported 8.4% year-over-year membership fee income growth in Q3 fiscal 2024.
- Co-branded credit card adds another rewards option: The BJ's One Mastercard partnership with Capital One offers 3% or 5% back on eligible BJ's purchases depending on the card, with no reward-earning cap on eligible card purchases.
- Differentiation through flexibility: BJ's accepts manufacturer coupons under its coupon policy and offers a range of package sizes, competing on convenience and savings options as well as price.
- Regional strength with an expanding footprint: BJ's currently operates 267 clubs across 22 states, with a historically strong presence in the Eastern US and ongoing expansion into additional markets.
Understanding BJ's Membership: What Is a Membership Program?
BJ's operates on a straightforward premise: pay an annual fee to access member pricing. BJ's says members can save up to 25% on a representative basket of manufacturer-branded groceries compared with traditional supermarket competitors. The actual value depends on what you buy, local prices, and which membership tier you choose.
This membership model mirrors what successful e-commerce brands are building today. Instead of one-time transactions, membership programs create ongoing relationships where customers prepay for access to exclusive benefits.
Every BJ's membership, whether Club or Club+, includes a core set of benefits designed to make shopping more accessible:
Standard benefits across all tiers:
- Access to member pricing on groceries, household goods, electronics, and other products
- One household member on a personal membership at no additional charge
- Digital coupons through BJ's
- Free curbside pickup on qualifying orders
- Access to BJ's Gas locations with member pricing
- Manufacturer coupon acceptance subject to BJ's coupon policy
The manufacturer coupon policy is a genuine differentiator. BJ's accepts both BJ's-issued and manufacturer coupons and permits certain coupon combinations under its published rules. Costco does not accept general manufacturer coupons, while Sam's Club primarily uses its Instant Savings system.
When stacking BJ's against the competition, the picture gets more nuanced. Price comparisons vary significantly by product, promotion, and region.
Competitive positioning breakdown:
- Price: Pricing varies by item and market, so no single warehouse club is consistently cheapest across every product.
- Pack sizes: BJ's offers a range of package sizes, including options that can be practical for smaller households.
- Coupons: BJ's accepts manufacturer coupons under its published coupon policy.
- Geographic coverage: BJ's operates across 22 states, while Costco and Sam's Club have broader national and international footprints.
The takeaway for e-commerce brands: differentiation doesn't require the lowest price. Successful membership programs can compete on convenience, flexibility, and targeted benefits that resonate with specific customer segments.
Getting Started: How to Join BJ's Wholesale Club
New member acquisition is one area where BJ's uses promotional pricing, a common strategy for reducing the initial barrier to membership.
BJ's periodically offers discounted membership promotions, and specific offers vary by location, eligibility, and promotional period.
Promotional pricing can include:
- Discounted first-year memberships for eligible new members
- Limited-time local or seasonal membership offers
- Special membership offers for eligible groups
BJ's also offers a 1-Day Shopping Pass for BJs.com. It allows non-members to shop online using standard shipping without purchasing a membership. Pass users cannot use coupons, curbside pickup, in-club pickup, or same-day delivery.
Maximizing Membership Value
If you're looking to join at the best possible price, consider these strategies:
- Check BJ's current offers: Membership promotions change frequently.
- Compare the two tiers: Look at your expected eligible BJ's spending before deciding whether Club+ makes sense.
- Check eligibility offers: BJ's publishes special membership offers for certain qualifying groups.
- Consider the Club+ math: At the regular annual prices, the $60 upgrade from Club to Club+ can be offset by approximately $3,000 in eligible spending at the 2% reward rate, before accounting for gas or delivery benefits.
For brands studying this model, acquisition pricing paired with recurring renewal can lower the initial barrier to entry. The key is delivering enough ongoing value that members choose to renew. Building loyalty programs around clear, understandable benefits follows the same principle.
Earning Membership Benefits: What Is BJ's Membership Worth?
BJ's membership value comes from member pricing, Club+ rewards, and additional perks such as gas discounts and eligible same-day delivery benefits. The value varies based on individual shopping patterns.
The Club tier at $60 per year provides straightforward member access and standard benefits. BJ's advertises savings of up to 25% on a representative basket of manufacturer-branded groceries compared with traditional supermarket competitors, but actual savings will vary by product and market.
The Club+ tier costs $120 per year. Members earn 2% back on eligible BJ's purchases, up to $500 per 12-month period, plus additional benefits.
Calculating Your Membership Savings Value
Here's one way to evaluate whether the Club+ upgrade pays for itself:
Club+ upgrade calculation:
- Additional cost over Club tier: $60 per year
- Reward rate on eligible purchases: 2%
- Eligible annual spending required to generate $60 in rewards: approximately $3,000
- Eligible spending required to generate $120 in rewards: approximately $6,000
At roughly $250 per month in eligible BJ's purchases, the 2% reward alone can offset the $60 difference between Club and Club+. For context, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported average food-at-home spending of $6,224 per consumer unit in 2024, although individual household spending varies widely.
The gas discount adds incremental value. At 5 cents per gallon and 15 gallons per fill-up, each qualifying visit to BJ's Gas saves a Club+ member 75 cents compared with the standard member gas price. Filling up twice monthly would equal about $18 in annual savings.
Club+ members also receive two free same-day deliveries per annual membership period on eligible orders of $50 or more.
Club+ reward example at $6,000 in eligible annual spending:
- 2% membership rewards: $120
- Potential gas savings from two 15-gallon fill-ups monthly: $18
- Two eligible free same-day deliveries
- Membership fee: $120 annually
Actual value depends on eligible spending, gas usage, delivery usage, and local prices.
Redeeming Your BJ's Membership Benefits
BJ's allows Club+ members to accumulate rewards in their membership account.
Membership reward redemption:
- Club+ members earn 2% on eligible BJ's purchases, up to $500 per 12-month period.
- A minimum rewards balance of $10 is required for redemption.
- The eligible purchase must be at least $10 and at least equal to the amount of rewards redeemed.
- Rewards can be redeemed on eligible purchases and membership fees at BJ's checkout in-club, on BJs.com, or in the BJ's app.
- Regular rewards do not expire for the life of the membership, although promotional rewards may have separate expiration rules.
BJ's One Mastercard rewards follow the terms of the card program. Cardholders earn 3% back on eligible BJ's purchases with BJ's One or 5% with BJ's One+, plus rewards on eligible purchases outside BJ's. Card rewards do not have an earning cap on eligible purchases and generally remain available for the life of the account.
For e-commerce brands, redemption simplicity matters. Complex point systems with multiple currencies, blackout dates, or confusing tiers can create friction. Modern customer account portals can similarly make earning and redemption rules visible to customers.
Benefits of BJ's Membership: Increasing Customer Lifetime Value
BJ's membership structure demonstrates how prepaid access models can create predictable recurring revenue alongside merchandise sales. The $115 million in Q3 fiscal 2024 membership fee income represents a revenue stream separate from product sales.
Membership fee income increased 8.4% year over year in that quarter. BJ's attributed the increase primarily to strength in membership acquisition, retention, and higher-tier membership penetration.
Customer Lifetime Value Impact
The membership model changes the way a retailer can think about customer economics. In addition to merchandise purchases, the business receives recurring membership fee income from customers who maintain their membership.
BJ's had reached 7.5 million members by Q3 fiscal 2024 and has since grown to approximately 8 million members.
Paid membership programs can also give retailers an incentive to build recurring relationships with customers rather than optimize only for individual transactions. The same principle is relevant to VIP tier programs in e-commerce, where the goal is to give customers reasons to continue engaging over time.
For brands building membership programs for DTC, BJ's demonstrates how an upfront fee can support an ongoing value exchange between a retailer and a committed member base.
BJ's Membership vs. Other Warehouse Club Loyalty Programs
BJ's competes primarily with Costco and Sam's Club in the US warehouse club market. Each uses a paid membership model but differentiates its offering in different ways.
Market positioning comparison:
Costco memberships currently cost $65 for Gold Star and $130 for Executive. Executive members earn an annual 2% reward on qualifying Costco purchases, subject to program terms.
Sam's Club memberships currently cost $60 for Club and $120 for Plus. Plus includes additional benefits such as Sam's Cash earning and enhanced delivery and shipping benefits, subject to program terms.
BJ's charges $60 for Club and $120 for Club+. The company differentiates in part through manufacturer coupon acceptance, Club+ gas savings, and its regional footprint.
Key differentiators:
BJ's accepts manufacturer coupons under its published coupon policy. BJ's allows one BJ's coupon per offer to be combined with one national coupon on a single selling unit, subject to restrictions, and certain other BJ's offers can also be combined under its stacking rules.
Pack size can also influence value for smaller households. The right warehouse club depends on product selection, local pricing, location convenience, and household consumption.
Geographic concentration has historically given BJ's a strong presence in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, although the company is expanding into additional states and currently operates 267 clubs across 22 states.
The competitive landscape shows that successful membership models don't require being the biggest or cheapest. BJ's has built its position around a combination of regional density, member pricing, coupons, and additional membership benefits.
Maximizing Your Membership: Tips for BJ's Members
Getting the most from a BJ's membership requires understanding the full rewards ecosystem, not just the membership tier itself.
Tier selection strategy:
Choose Club if you mainly want member access and do not expect the extra Club+ benefits to offset the additional $60 annual fee.
Consider Club+ if you expect to spend roughly $3,000 or more annually on eligible BJ's purchases, use BJ's Gas frequently, or value the included same-day delivery benefit. At $3,000 of eligible spending, the 2% reward generates about $60, equal to the difference between the two membership fees.
Stacking savings strategies:
- Clip eligible digital coupons before shopping.
- Use manufacturer coupons in accordance with BJ's coupon-stacking rules.
- Compare unit prices when evaluating bulk purchases.
- Consider the BJ's One Mastercard program if its reward structure fits your spending.
Bulk buying best practices:
- Focus on products you will use before they expire.
- Compare unit pricing rather than package pricing.
- Choose package quantities that fit your household.
- Use curbside pickup when it makes shopping more convenient.
The BJ's One Mastercard program, launched with Capital One in February 2023, creates another rewards option. The standard BJ's One card earns 3% back on eligible BJ's purchases, 10 cents per gallon at BJ's Gas, and 1.5% on eligible purchases outside BJ's. The BJ's One+ card, which requires Club+ membership, earns 5% back on eligible BJ's purchases, 15 cents per gallon at BJ's Gas, and 2% on eligible purchases outside BJ's. Both cards have no cap on rewards earned from eligible card purchases, and rewards do not expire for the life of the account.
These card rates should be evaluated independently rather than added to the Club+ 2% membership reward as if every purchase automatically earns 7%.
Membership Savings with BJ's: What You Need to Know
BJ's has designed its renewal process to reduce friction for participating members.
Renewal options available:
- Easy Renewal: The authorized payment method is charged the then-current membership fee on the first day of the month in which the membership expires.
- Online renewal: Eligible members can renew through their BJ's account.
- In-club renewal: Members can renew at BJ's.
- Phone renewal: BJ's Member Care can process renewals.
Members participating in Easy Renewal can opt out online through their BJ's account or contact BJ's Member Care. Turning off Easy Renewal prevents the next automatic renewal but does not itself cancel the current active membership.
BJ's has also periodically offered renewal and membership promotions, although offers vary.
Why did BJ's raise membership prices in 2025?
Effective January 1, 2025, BJ's increased its Club membership fee by $5 to $60 and its Club+ fee by $10 to $120. It was BJ's first membership fee increase in seven years. At the same time, BJ's added two free same-day deliveries on eligible $50+ orders to the Club+ annual membership benefits.
The increase followed Costco's September 2024 membership price increase. Existing BJ's memberships renew at the then-current rate when the applicable renewal occurs.
Cancellation policy:
BJ's offers a membership money-back guarantee for dissatisfied primary members, subject to its terms.
Cancellation methods:
- In club at a member services desk
- BJ's online customer-service chat
- Phone through Member Care
Only the primary member can cancel the membership. BJ's says dissatisfied primary members may cancel at any time and request a refund of membership fees paid for the current membership period. BJ's also states that it cannot provide a refund for a second or subsequent cancellation.
Turning off Easy Renewal is different from canceling the current membership. It simply stops future automatic renewal.
For membership program operators, the lesson is transparency. Clear renewal, cancellation, and refund rules help customers understand the commitment they are making.
Building Your Own Membership Program: Learning from BJ's Wholesale Club
BJ's membership structure offers practical lessons for e-commerce brands considering their own retention programs.
- Clear tier differentiation: BJ's Club and Club+ tiers have obvious differences. Club provides membership access, while Club+ adds rewards and additional perks. At current pricing, the $60 upgrade difference can be offset by about $3,000 in eligible annual spending at the 2% earning rate.
- Automatic renewal: Easy Renewal gives participating members a way to maintain membership without manually renewing each year. Modern customer accounts can similarly make renewal and membership management straightforward.
- Strategic partnerships amplify value: The BJ's One Mastercard partnership with Capital One adds a separate rewards layer and additional gas savings.
- Regional strength with expansion: BJ's built substantial density in its core Eastern markets before expanding further. For DTC brands, the broader lesson is to build a strong value proposition for a clearly defined audience.
- Differentiation through specific features: Accepting manufacturer coupons and offering benefits such as gas discounts and delivery can address customer needs beyond headline product price.
The warehouse club model has produced durable recurring membership revenue for BJ's. In Q3 fiscal 2024, BJ's reported 8.4% year-over-year growth in membership fee income, driven primarily by membership acquisition, retention, and higher-tier penetration.
BJ's Wholesale Club demonstrates how tiered memberships with clearly defined benefits can create recurring revenue and an ongoing customer relationship. For e-commerce brands looking to build a similar model, Rivo provides infrastructure for launching and managing membership programs on Shopify.
Rivo supports paid membership tiers with flexible billing options, customizable benefits, Shopify integration, and member management. Rivo also reports a 55x median ROI across selected case studies, although results vary by brand, program design, margins, and customer behavior.
Whether you're designing recurring membership tiers, member rewards, or VIP experiences, Rivo can integrate these experiences with your Shopify store. Learn more about building membership programs at Rivo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between BJ's Club and Club+ memberships?
Club membership costs $60 annually and provides standard BJ's membership benefits including member shopping access, eligible curbside pickup, coupon access, and one household member at no additional charge. Club+ costs $120 annually and adds 2% back on eligible BJ's purchases, capped at $500 per 12-month period, 5 cents per gallon at BJ's Gas, and two free same-day deliveries per membership year on eligible orders of $50 or more. At about $3,000 in eligible annual spending, the 2% reward equals the $60 difference between Club and Club+.
Can I shop at BJ's without a membership?
BJ's offers a 1-Day Shopping Pass for non-members who want to shop on BJs.com without purchasing a membership. The pass is limited to standard shipping, and users cannot use coupons, pickup, curbside pickup, or same-day delivery. BJ's membership terms also provide for certain authorized passes and limited non-member shopping situations, but standard purchasing privileges generally require an active membership.
How does BJ's Easy Renewal work, and can I opt out?
Easy Renewal automatically charges the authorized payment method the then-current membership fee on the first day of the month in which the membership expires. Members can turn off Easy Renewal through their online account or contact BJ's Member Care. Turning off Easy Renewal stops the next automatic renewal but does not cancel an existing active membership.
Is BJ's cheaper than Costco or Sam's Club?
There is no reliable single answer because prices vary by product, promotion, club, and region. BJ's differentiates itself by accepting manufacturer coupons under its coupon policy, while Costco does not accept general manufacturer coupons and Sam's Club primarily uses Instant Savings. Membership pricing is currently $60 for BJ's Club, $120 for BJ's Club+, $65 for Costco Gold Star, $130 for Costco Executive, $60 for Sam's Club Club, and $120 for Sam's Club Plus.
What rewards can I earn with the BJ's One Mastercard?
The BJ's One Mastercard program offers two consumer card options. The standard BJ's One card earns 3% back on eligible BJ's purchases, 10 cents per gallon at BJ's Gas, and 1.5% on eligible purchases outside BJ's. The BJ's One+ card requires Club+ membership and earns 5% back on eligible BJ's purchases, 15 cents per gallon at BJ's Gas, and 2% on eligible purchases outside BJ's. Eligible card rewards have no earning cap and generally do not expire for the life of the account, subject to program terms.
