5 Little-Known Perks of a Walmart+ Membership

Most people shop at Walmart for its low prices and convenience. But for an extra $98 per year (or $12.95 monthly), a Walmart+ membership can give you extra discounts and promotions, deliver certain grocery orders to your door for free, and offer discounts on fuel. Walmart claims frequent shoppers can save up to $1,300 per year by signing up for Walmart+. Alongside those savings, here are five other Walmart+ perks you should know about.

1. Earn Walmart Rewards

Walmart Rewards is Walmart's loyalty currency, which members can earn through cash rebates on eligible purchases. Much like the cash back on a credit card, Walmart Rewards accumulate in your account and can be applied against future Walmart purchases in store or online.

Currently, the most common way to earn Walmart Rewards is through digital rebates, which you activate before checking out and will show up in your digital wallet after you pay. For instance, in my Walmart app, I can see a $25 rebate on a $299.99 air fryer. As long as I activate the reward before checking out, the $25 will show up in my account later. That's a decent amount of cash back -- roughly 8.3% -- and can rival some of the best grocery cash back credit cards.

Unlike cash back credit cards, however, you can only use Walmart Rewards on purchases made at Walmart stores or online. Your rewards never expire but you have to be a Walmart+ member to take advantage of them.

Walmart is also experimenting with other ways to earn. For instance, in my account, I get "challenges" every now and then that will give me more Rewards if I spend a certain amount or purchase specific items. Right now, the challenge in my area is to spend $30 on certain brands and I'll get $10 in Walmart Rewards.

Walmart has also introduced a pilot 2% rewards program to certain Walmart+ members. This program would be similar to a cash back credit card, allowing you to earn 2% on most purchases without requiring you to activate rebates beforehand.

Pro tip: Use a credit card that earns extra cash back at Walmart, like the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®, when you buy items that earn Walmart Reward points to maximize your cash back.

2. Free unlimited delivery

Walmart+ members get free unlimited shipping for certain eligible purchases, plus free deliveries from your local Walmart store on orders above $35. Items that typically qualify for free are those shipped from a Walmart warehouse, like electronics, home goods, and movies. This excludes most grocery items, like frozen foods, vegetables, and most perishables, which will be delivered to you without charge only if your order is above $35.

3. Free Paramount+ Essential Plan subscription

A Walmart+ membership comes with a free annual subscription to the Paramount+ Essential Plan ($49.99). Keep in mind this is for the ad-supported version of Paramount+ and also doesn't include Showtime. But if you're already paying for this plan, a Walmart+ membership could save you $49.99 per year right off the bat.

4. Save $0.10 per gallon on gas

Walmart+ members can also save $0.10 per gallon at 14,000 eligible gas stations, such as Mobil, Exxon, and Walmart & Murphy stations, with no limit on how much you can save. Plus, your Walmart+ account will give you access to lower gas prices at Sam's Club.

5. Scan & Go

Finally, Walmart members no longer have to wait in lines or awkwardly scan items one by one at a self-checkout machine. The Scan & Go feature on the Walmart app lets you scan products while you shop. When you're done, head over to the self-checkout aisles and scan the QR code on your phone. You'll pay, take your receipt, and then exit through the Mobile Express lane.

Another perk of the Walmart+ membership -- it's constantly evolving. With the addition of cash back savings on popular products, I'm excited to see what perks Walmart adds to this program. Right now, you can try the program for free for 30 days and see if the perks add up to $98 or more in annual savings. You can also get a complimentary Walmart+ membership if you use your The Platinum Card® from American Express to purchase a monthly subscription, in the form of a monthly statement credit that covers the full cost (terms apply, enrollment required).