Walmart Plus is a paid membership that gives seniors a discount on certain purchases, but the savings depend on what you buy

Walmart Plus costs $98 per year (or $12.98 per month) and includes a 10% discount on fresh groceries, produce, and meat at Walmart stores and online. Seniors do not pay a lower membership fee — the price is the same for everyone. The discount applies only to fresh food items, not to general merchandise, fuel, or pharmacy purchases. Whether the membership pays for itself depends on how much fresh food you buy each week.

Walmart Plus also includes free delivery on orders over $35 (with a two-hour delivery window in most areas), free shipping on online orders, fuel discounts at Walmart gas stations, and early access to online deals. Some seniors find the grocery discount alone worth the cost; others find it makes sense only if they also use the delivery service regularly.

Key Takeaways

  • The 10% fresh grocery discount is the main benefit for seniors, but it applies only to produce, meat, dairy, and bakery items — not packaged goods or general merchandise.
  • Walmart Plus costs $98 per year with no senior discount on the membership fee itself, so you need to spend roughly $980 per year on fresh groceries to break even.
  • The membership includes free two-hour delivery on orders over $35, which may save money if you have mobility challenges or live far from a store.
  • You can cancel anytime, so trying it for a month or two at $12.98 per month is a low-risk way to see whether the fresh food discount matches your shopping habits.

How the 10% fresh grocery discount actually works

The discount appears at checkout when you shop in-store or online, applied automatically to may have access to items. You do not need to clip coupons or enter codes. Fresh produce, meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, eggs, and bakery items all may have access to. Packaged snacks, frozen meals, beverages, and household items do not.

The discount stacks with Walmart's regular sales and promotions, so if an item is already on sale and you have a Walmart Plus membership, you get both discounts. This matters most during holiday weeks when fresh items go on promotion. The discount does not explore to items bought at Walmart's fuel stations, pharmacies, or vision centers.

Comparing Walmart Plus to other senior grocery discounts

Most grocery chains offer senior discounts on specific days (usually 5% to 10% off one day per week for shoppers 55 or older), and those discounts are free. Kroger, Safeway, and many regional chains run these programs. Costco charges $60 per year for a Gold Star membership and does not offer a separate senior rate, though some Costco locations offer a 10% discount on select items for members 55 and older on certain days — this varies by location.

Amazon Fresh (owned by Amazon, not Walmart) offers a 10% discount on fresh groceries for Prime members, but requires a separate Prime membership ($139 per year). If you already have Prime for other reasons, Amazon Fresh may cost less than Walmart Plus. If you do not have Prime, Walmart Plus is cheaper upfront.

The real comparison is not between programs but between your own shopping. If you buy fresh groceries at Walmart already and spend $80 or more per week on fresh items, Walmart Plus likely saves money. If you shop at multiple stores or buy mostly packaged goods, a free weekly senior discount at your regular store may be better.

What to know about Walmart Plus delivery and other perks

Walmart Plus members get free delivery on orders over $35, delivered within a two-hour window. This service runs in most urban and suburban areas but not everywhere — you can check availability by entering your zip code on Walmart's website. Delivery orders are separate from in-store shopping, so you can use both in the same week.

The membership also includes 5 cents off per gallon at Walmart fuel stations (a small savings that adds up if you fill up regularly) and early access to online deals during sales events. Some members use the fuel discount alone to offset part of the membership cost if they buy gas at Walmart weekly.

How to sign up and cancel Walmart Plus

You can sign up for Walmart Plus on Walmart's website or in the Walmart mobile app. You will need a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal). There is no age verification — Walmart does not require proof that you are a senior to join. The membership starts when ready and renews automatically each month or year, depending on which plan you choose.

To cancel, log into your Walmart account, go to your membership settings, and select "Cancel Membership." You can cancel anytime without penalty. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access through the end of your billing period. Many seniors cancel after a month or two if they find they are not using the discount enough to justify the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get the 10% discount if I use Walmart's grocery pickup service?

Yes. The 10% fresh grocery discount applies to pickup orders as well as in-store shopping and delivery. You place the order online, and the discount is applied at checkout before you pay.

Can I use Walmart Plus with my SNAP benefits or other government information?

Yes. The membership discount works alongside SNAP (food stamps) and other benefits. The 10% discount is applied to the price before you pay, so it reduces the amount you need to cover with SNAP or cash.

What if I shop at Walmart but rarely buy fresh groceries?

Walmart Plus is not worth the cost if you buy mostly packaged goods, frozen items, or non-food merchandise. The discount only applies to fresh produce, meat, dairy, and bakery items. If that is not where you spend most of your grocery budget, a free weekly senior discount at another store would be better.

Does Walmart Plus include pharmacy or vision discounts?

No. The membership does not include discounts on prescriptions, eyeglasses, or other pharmacy or vision services. The 10% discount applies only to fresh groceries, and fuel and delivery are separate perks.

Can I share a Walmart Plus membership with my spouse or family member?

The membership is tied to one Walmart account, but household members can shop using that account in-store or online. There is no separate "family plan," so if multiple people in your household want individual accounts with the discount, each would need their own membership.