For frequent Walmart shoppers looking to maximize their savings and convenience, the Walmart+ membership program offers a compelling suite of benefits. From free delivery to discounts on fuel and streaming services, Walmart+ aims to enhance your shopping experience both online and in-store. Understanding the cost of this membership is the first step in determining if it’s the right choice for you. Let’s delve into “How Much Is Walmart Plus” and explore the value it brings.
What is Walmart+?
Walmart+, launched in 2020, is designed as a comprehensive membership service that provides a range of perks for customers who regularly shop at Walmart. Think of it as Walmart’s answer to other popular retail subscription programs like Amazon Prime or Target Circle, offering exclusive advantages to its members. Walmart+ aims to integrate seamlessly into your shopping habits, whether you prefer to shop online or visit physical Walmart stores.
Walmart Plus membership logo displayed on a smartphone screen, highlighting the convenience of online shopping and membership benefits.
Breaking Down the Cost: How Much is Walmart Plus?
The standard Walmart+ membership is priced competitively and offers two payment options to suit different budgeting preferences. Understanding the “how much is Walmart Plus” question is straightforward:
- Annual Plan: The yearly cost for Walmart+ is $98, plus applicable taxes. Opting for the annual plan provides a cost-effective way to enjoy all the membership benefits throughout the year, working out to less than $9 per month.
- Monthly Plan: If you prefer a shorter commitment or want to try out the service first, the monthly plan is available for $12.95 per month, plus taxes.
Both the annual and monthly plans include all the standard Walmart+ benefits. It’s also worth noting that Walmart often provides a 30-day free trial for new members, allowing you to experience the perks firsthand before committing to a paid subscription. This trial period is a great opportunity to evaluate if Walmart+ aligns with your shopping needs and if the benefits justify the cost.
Furthermore, keep an eye out for potential bundled offers or partnerships. Companies like American Express and Verizon sometimes offer special deals or credits when you sign up for Walmart+ using their services. Checking with your existing service providers could potentially reduce the overall “how much is Walmart Plus” figure for you.
Walmart+ Assist: A More Affordable Option for Eligible Shoppers
Walmart recognizes the importance of accessibility, and for those who qualify for government assistance programs, there’s a discounted version of the membership called Walmart+ Assist. This option significantly lowers the barrier to entry, making the benefits of Walmart+ available to a broader audience.
The “how much is Walmart Plus” question has a different answer for eligible individuals:
- Walmart+ Assist Cost: The reduced price for Walmart+ Assist is $49 annually or $6.47 per month, plus applicable taxes. This represents a substantial saving compared to the standard membership cost.
Eligibility for Walmart+ Assist is typically verified through SheerID, a third-party verification service. Like the standard membership, Walmart+ Assist also includes a 30-day free trial, allowing eligible customers to explore the benefits at no initial cost. This program ensures that even on a tighter budget, valuable shopping conveniences are within reach.
Unlocking the Value: Core Benefits of a Walmart+ Membership
Beyond just answering “how much is Walmart Plus”, it’s crucial to understand the value proposition – what benefits do you actually get for the membership fee? Walmart+ is packed with features designed to save you time and money across various aspects of your shopping experience:
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Free Unlimited Delivery: One of the flagship benefits is free delivery from your local Walmart store on orders over $35. This service is a game-changer for busy individuals and families, eliminating the need to drive to the store for groceries and everyday essentials. For orders below $35, a reasonable $6.99 minimum order fee applies.
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Free Shipping, No Order Minimum: When shopping on Walmart.com, members enjoy free shipping with no minimum purchase requirement on items shipped by Walmart. This is a significant advantage over standard online shopping, where shipping fees can often add to the overall cost.
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Returns from Home: Dealing with returns becomes incredibly convenient with home pickup service. In eligible locations, Walmart will collect your returns directly from your doorstep – no need for printing labels or repackaging items.
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Walmart+ Travel: Planning trips becomes more rewarding with Walmart+ Travel, powered by Expedia. Members earn Walmart Cash on bookings made through the travel portal: up to 5% back on hotels, vacation rentals, car rentals, and activities, and 2% back on air travel. This accumulated Walmart Cash can be used to further reduce future shopping expenses.
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Savings on Fuel: Gas prices can be a significant household expense, and Walmart+ helps ease the burden with fuel discounts. Members save up to 10 cents per gallon at over 14,000 Exxon, Mobil, Walmart, and Murphy gas stations nationwide. These fuel savings can quickly add up, especially for regular drivers.
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Burger King Savings Benefit: Food perks are also part of the package. The Burger King Savings Benefit provides members with 25% off digital orders every day, plus a free Whopper with any purchase every three months. This is a tasty bonus for Burger King fans.
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Free Tire Services: Car maintenance can be costly, but Walmart+ offers some relief with free flat tire repair and road hazard warranty at Walmart Auto Care Centers. This benefit applies to tires installed at Walmart, providing peace of mind for vehicle owners.
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Mobile Scan & Go: In-store shopping becomes faster and more efficient with Mobile Scan & Go. Using the Walmart app, you can scan items as you shop and check out using your phone at self-checkout registers, bypassing traditional checkout lines.
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Paramount+ Essential Plan Subscription: Entertainment is included in the membership with a complimentary Paramount+ Essential Plan subscription (ad-supported). This unlocks access to a vast library of movies, TV shows, and original content from Paramount+, CBS, Nickelodeon, and more.
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Early Access to Deals: Walmart+ members get a head start on savings with early access to special sales events, deals, and new product releases. This early bird advantage can be crucial during popular shopping periods like Black Friday or holiday sales.
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Walmart Rewards: Earn even more value with Walmart Rewards. Members earn loyalty currency on select purchases both in-store and online. These rewards can be redeemed to reduce the cost of future Walmart purchases.
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Exclusive Perks and Offers: Beyond the core benefits, Walmart+ frequently offers limited-time perks and exclusive offers from various merchants and retailers, adding even more value to the membership.
An image representing convenience and savings, possibly depicting groceries being delivered or a family enjoying time saved by using Walmart+ benefits.
Walmart+ vs. Amazon Prime: Cost and Feature Comparison
When considering membership programs, a natural comparison arises: Walmart+ versus Amazon Prime. Both offer compelling benefits, but understanding their differences in cost and features is key to making the right choice for your needs.
While we’ve addressed “how much is Walmart Plus”, Amazon Prime’s annual membership currently stands at $139 per year, significantly higher than Walmart+’s $98 annual fee. Amazon Prime also offers a monthly option.
Amazon Prime boasts a wider range of digital entertainment benefits, including Prime Video, Amazon Music, Prime Reading, and Twitch Prime. It also offers benefits like Amazon Fresh grocery delivery and exclusive Prime Day deals.
However, Walmart+ holds its own with unique strengths. Its vast network of physical stores across the US provides an advantage for in-store shoppers. Benefits like Mobile Scan & Go and fuel discounts are directly tied to the brick-and-mortar Walmart experience, which Amazon Prime lacks. For those who live close to a Walmart store and frequently shop there in person, Walmart+ can offer more relevant daily benefits.
Ultimately, the “better” membership depends on individual shopping habits and priorities. If entertainment and fast online shipping are paramount, Amazon Prime might be the choice. If you prioritize grocery delivery from Walmart, fuel savings, and in-store convenience, Walmart+ presents a strong value proposition, especially considering its lower annual cost. In some cases, for households that heavily utilize both services, subscribing to both Walmart+ and Amazon Prime could even be financially justifiable to maximize benefits across different shopping needs.
Is Walmart+ Worth the Cost?
Answering “how much is Walmart Plus” is only half the equation. The real question is whether the membership cost translates into tangible value and savings for you.
For frequent Walmart shoppers, the answer is likely yes. The combination of free delivery, fuel discounts, streaming entertainment, and other perks can easily offset the annual or monthly membership fee. Consider your shopping habits:
- Do you frequently order groceries online? Free delivery can quickly pay for a significant portion of the membership cost.
- Do you drive regularly? Fuel savings can add up substantially over a year.
- Are you interested in streaming services like Paramount+? The included subscription adds considerable value.
- Do you value convenience and time-saving shopping solutions? Benefits like Mobile Scan & Go and home returns streamline your shopping trips and errands.
By evaluating how often you would utilize these benefits, you can determine if the “how much is Walmart Plus” equation works in your favor. The 30-day free trial is an excellent way to test the waters and see firsthand how Walmart+ can integrate into your lifestyle and potentially save you money and time.
Conclusion
Walmart+ offers a compelling package of benefits for loyal Walmart customers. Understanding “how much is Walmart Plus” is straightforward, with clear annual and monthly pricing options, and a more affordable Walmart+ Assist program for eligible individuals. The true value lies in the diverse range of perks, from free delivery and fuel discounts to entertainment and in-store conveniences. By weighing the cost against your personal shopping habits and needs, you can determine if a Walmart+ membership is a smart investment to enhance your shopping experience and unlock significant savings.
