What is Walmart+? Understanding Membership Benefits, Cost & More

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Remember when Amazon Prime launched and everyone thought Jeff Bezos was crazy for offering free shipping? Fast forward to today, and membership programs are everywhere — and for good reason. Walmart joined the fun with Walmart+ in 2020, changing the game for millions of shoppers.

So what exactly is Walmart+? We’re going to take you through everything you need to know, from the benefits designed to make your life easier to whether it makes sense for you to sign up.

What Is Walmart+?

Think of Walmart+ as a VIP pass to everything Walmart has to offer. Launched in September 2020, the program is Walmart’s answer to Amazon Prime, designed for busy families and frequent shoppers who want more convenience and savings out of their shopping experience.

We’re talking skipping lines, getting groceries delivered to your door, saving at the gas pump and even picking up streaming and travel perks. It’s Walmart’s way of making shopping — and a fair bit of everyday life around it — easier.

The program targets people who already shop at Walmart regularly, as well as anyone who could be drawn in by having America’s largest retailer cater directly to them. If you value time, convenience and saving money, Walmart+ is worth a serious look.

Complete Breakdown of Walmart+ Benefits

Let’s dive into what you actually get. There’s more here than you might expect.

Free Delivery Benefits

You get free delivery on orders over $35, so no more delivery fees eating into your grocery budget. In many areas, same-day delivery is available — perfect for those “oh no, we’re out of diapers” moments. Express delivery takes things up a notch: In select areas, you can get your order in as little as two hours.

Fuel Savings That Actually Add Up

Walmart+ members save up to 10 cents per gallon at participating gas stations, including Walmart, Murphy USA, Exxon, Mobil and Sam’s Club fuel centers. With gas prices doing their usual rollercoaster act, this benefit alone can save families $50 to $100 or more a year depending on how much you drive. You just scan a QR code in the Walmart app at the pump — no separate gas cards, no complicated sign-up.

Mobile Scan & Go: Skip the Lines

If you’ve ever stood in a Walmart checkout line on a Sunday afternoon, you’ll appreciate this one. Mobile Scan & Go lets you scan items as you shop using the Walmart app, then show your phone at checkout and walk out. Once you try it, regular checkout feels prehistoric.

Free Shipping With No Minimums

Regular Walmart shipping requires a $35 minimum for free shipping. Walmart+ members get free shipping on everything, even a single item.

Streaming: Your Choice of Paramount+ or Peacock

Walmart+ members get to choose one ad-supported streaming service at no extra cost — either Paramount+ Essential or Peacock Premium — worth up to $109 a year depending on which you pick and how you’d otherwise pay for it. You can switch your choice every 90 days, and if you want to go ad-free, you can upgrade to Paramount+ Premium or Peacock Premium Plus for a small added monthly fee.

Pharmacy and Health Perks

Free pharmacy delivery gets eligible medications to your door, often same-day, with no order minimum. The Rx for Less program also offers discounts on commonly prescribed medications — some at zero cost, others up to 85% off — covering things like heart health, mental health, antibiotic, allergy and diabetes medications.

Auto Care and Travel Perks

Members get free flat tire repair and other auto care benefits at Walmart Auto Care Centers nationwide. On the travel side, Walmart+ members earn 10% Walmart Cash on hotel bookings, vacation packages, car rentals, tours and activities, plus 2% Walmart Cash on flights booked through Walmart+ Travel (powered by Expedia).

Other Perks Worth Knowing About

• Easy returns: Schedule a return pickup from home for eligible items, no repacking or store trip required.
• Pawp: Free 24/7 access to licensed veterinary experts through the Pawp app, handy for pet owners with an off-hours question.
• Early access: Get into major sales events like Walmart Deals and Black Friday ahead of nonmembers.
• OnePay CashRewards Card: Unlimited 5% cash back at Walmart with separate registration and approval.

Walmart+ Cost and Pricing Plans

Let’s talk numbers, since that’s what really matters when deciding if membership is worth it.

Your options:

• Monthly: $12.95 a month.
• Annual: $98 a year (about $8.17 a month — roughly $57 in savings versus paying monthly).
• Walmart+ Student: 50% off for eligible college students — $49 a year or $6.47 a month.
• Walmart+ Assist: 50% off for those on qualifying government assistance programs — $49 a year or $6.47 a month.
• Free trial: 30 days to test it out.

You can sign up with any major credit or debit card, or Walmart Pay. At $98 a year, you’re looking at roughly $8.17 a month — not a huge ask if you’re shopping there once a month or more anyway.

Is Walmart+ Worth It? Let’s Do the Math

Here’s how the savings can look for a typical family:

• Delivery fees: $60 to $120 saved annually on two orders a month.
• Gas discount: $36 annually on 30 gallons a month at $0.10 off.
• Streaming subscription value: Up to $109 annually for Paramount+ or Peacock.

That’s already $105 to $165 or more in potential savings from just delivery, gas and streaming — before counting free shipping, pharmacy savings, travel Walmart Cash or the time saved with Mobile Scan & Go. Walmart itself estimates that members who’ve been active for a year or more save an average of a few hundred dollars annually through the program, though individual results obviously depend on how many benefits you actually use.

Who benefits most:

• Heavy Walmart spenders: Families spending more than $2,000 annually at Walmart.
• Pickup and delivery users: Anyone who regularly orders grocery pickup or delivery.
• Frequent drivers: People who fill up often and can use the gas discount.
• Convenience seekers: Shoppers who value time-saving perks.

For heavy Walmart shoppers who go weekly or do big grocery runs, the membership tends to pay for itself. If you’re only shopping at Walmart once a month for a few items, the free trial is a smarter way to test the waters first.

How Walmart+ Compares to Competitors

The elephant in the room is Amazon Prime, which costs $139 annually and includes video streaming, music, faster shipping and other perks. But Prime doesn’t include grocery delivery from physical stores or gas discounts — two things that can meaningfully save money for families.

Target Circle is free but offers more limited benefits by comparison. Costco memberships start around $65 but require bulk buying and are limited to warehouse locations.

Walmart’s unique advantage is combining everyday essentials with convenience. Prime leans into entertainment and fast shipping; Walmart+ focuses on practical, money-saving benefits for families buying groceries, household items and everyday goods.

Getting Started With Walmart+

Signing up is straightforward — head to Walmart.com, download the app or visit customer service at any Walmart store. The sign-up flow walks you through everything, and you can start your free trial right away.

Once signed up, download the Walmart app if you haven’t already — that’s where the Mobile Scan & Go, delivery orders, fuel savings and account management all live.

Maximize Your Walmart+ Membership

Shopping strategies:

• Order ahead: Place grocery orders in time to catch same-day delivery windows.
• Skip the busy lines: Use Mobile Scan & Go during weekends and holidays to avoid long checkout waits.
• Stack your savings: Pair membership benefits with regular Walmart promotions and rollback prices.

Gas savings tips:

• Find nearby stations: Use the Walmart app to locate discounted fuel spots near you.
• Check prices first: Confirm real-time prices and member-discount locations before you fill up.

Don’t miss these:

• Streaming benefit: Set up your included streaming subscription (Paramount+ or Peacock).
• Prescription savings: Check Rx for Less if you take regular medications.
• Member deals: Watch for member-exclusive offers and early access events.
• Travel Walmart Cash: Redeem travel Walmart Cash if you’re booking a trip anyway.

Common Concerns About Walmart+

Can I share it? Walmart+ is tied to your individual account, though family members in the same household benefit from deliveries and pickups you order.

Does it work everywhere? Walmart+ is available nationwide, but delivery options vary by location — rural areas don’t always have same-day delivery, though shipping, gas and in-store benefits stay consistent.

Can I cancel easily? Yes, anytime through account settings. Cancel within the first 30 days for a full refund; after that, you’ll typically get a prorated refund for unused time if you haven’t heavily used the benefits.

The Bottom Line

Walmart+ makes sense for Walmart regulars who want convenience and savings. It works well for busy families, people who prefer delivery or pickup and anyone who wants to skip checkout lines. If you’re already spending a lot at Walmart, the membership can largely pay for itself through delivery savings, gas discounts and the included streaming subscription alone.

If you rarely shop at Walmart or prefer other retailers, you may not get enough value to justify the cost. But for the millions of Americans who already rely on Walmart for groceries and everyday needs, Walmart+ can turn routine shopping into something noticeably more convenient.

The smart move: Take advantage of the free trial, use it for a month, track your actual savings and decide from there.

Walmart+ Frequently Asked Questions

Can family members use my Walmart+ membership?

You can’t technically “share” your account, but family members in your household will benefit from deliveries and pickups you order either way. Each person does need their own Walmart account for some features, like Mobile Scan & Go.

What happens if Walmart+ isn’t available in my area?

Walmart+ is available nationwide, but delivery options vary by location. You’ll always get free shipping, Mobile Scan & Go, gas discounts and your streaming benefit, but rural areas don’t always have same-day delivery.

Can I cancel my Walmart+ membership anytime?

You can cancel anytime through your account settings. Cancel within 30 days for a full refund; after that you’ll typically get a prorated refund based on the time left unused.

Do I still earn Walmart rewards with my membership?

Yes — your membership works alongside other Walmart programs. You can still earn cash back with the OnePay CashRewards Card and take advantage of regular promotions and rollbacks.

Is the included streaming subscription the same as paying for it separately?

Yes. Whichever service you choose — Paramount+ Essential or Peacock Premium — you get the same ad-supported plan you’d otherwise pay for directly, at no extra cost as a Walmart+ member. You can switch between the two every 90 days.