walmart cuts walmart+ membership to $49/year ahead of june deals event

At a glance:

• Walmart+ membership drops to $49/year (50% off) through June 28 Deals event
• Benefits include free delivery, fuel savings, Paramount+ streaming, and early access to savings
• Offer limited to new/expired trial members; renews at $98/year after promotion

Walmart is making a significant move ahead of its Deals event next week by cutting its Walmart+ membership program in half. Instead of the standard $98/year price, customers can now lock in annual membership for just $49—effectively paying about $4.08 per month. This represents one of the most aggressive promotions for the membership service, with the last similar discount appearing only before Black Friday.

The Walmart+ membership comes packed with a range of benefits that extend well beyond simple shopping discounts. Members receive free delivery from their local Walmart stores, free shipping with no order minimum, and substantial savings at the pump—10 cents off per gallon at over 13,000 fuel locations nationwide, including Exxon, Mobil, Walmart, and Murphy stations. Additionally, members gain access to Paramount+ streaming, auto care services, returns from home, early access to exclusive savings, and mobile scan-and-go technology for a streamlined shopping experience.

This promotional pricing provides access to Walmart's upcoming Deals event, which runs from Monday, June 22 at 12 a.m. ET through Sunday, June 28. While the deals event itself doesn't require Walmart+ membership to shop, having a subscription during the event can provide early access to certain products and savings opportunities. For frequent Walmart shoppers, this timing makes the half-off offer particularly appealing as it coincides with one of the retailer's biggest shopping events of the year.

However, potential members should note the eligibility restrictions for this promotional offer. Walmart specifies that the discount is available only to new Walmart+ members, those with expired memberships, and current monthly or trial members. Notably, individuals receiving Walmart+ Assist benefits, those with InHome membership, or subscribers to Paramount+ with SHOWTIME are not eligible for this particular promotion. After the promotional period ends, memberships will automatically renew at the full $98/year rate plus applicable taxes.

For existing trial members, there's an important caveat: accepting the promotional rate means their remaining free trial period will be forfeited, with the discounted term beginning immediately. This could be a worthwhile trade-off for those who were planning to convert to a paid membership anyway, but it's a consideration for those still evaluating whether Walmart+ meets their needs.

Compared to Amazon Prime's Prime Day spectacle, Walmart's approach is more straightforward—offer a compelling membership discount tied directly to a major shopping event. While Prime Day often features deals that require no membership, Walmart's strategy incentivizes long-term commitment by bundling membership savings with access to exclusive deals. For budget-conscious consumers who already shop at Walmart regularly, the fuel savings and free delivery alone can quickly offset the membership cost.

The timing of this promotion is strategic, coming as competitors like Amazon prepare for their own major sales events. By positioning Walmart+ as both a value proposition and a gateway to exclusive savings, Walmart aims to convert trial users and attract new members who might typically consider Amazon's ecosystem. The inclusion of Paramount+ streaming adds additional value, particularly for households already consuming streaming content.

Despite the clear benefits, consumers should act quickly as this 50% discount isn't expected to return frequently. Walmart's previous similar offer appeared only before Black Friday, suggesting these deep membership cuts are reserved for the retailer's most important annual shopping periods. Those interested in maximizing their savings should evaluate whether the membership's benefits align with their shopping habits before the June 22 launch.