The ability to book rental cars and hotel stays for less via Costco Travel likely makes the Executive membership worth the extra $60, provided you use the perk. 11. The annual fee for an Executive membership will increase from $110 to $120, and the maximum annual 2% reward associated with the membership will increase from $750 to $1,000. There are a few areas of the store that nonmembers can access: Here are your options for shopping at Costco without an active membership card: Elissa Sanci is an associate staff writer for Wirecutter, where she covers deals, consumer shopping, and personal finance. As far as food goes, Costco’s rotisserie chickens are large enough for a family dinner, and—if you eat yogurt every day—you can get through that huge tub of Fage in less than a week. For more memberships plans click here for details. But when you have to pay an annual fee for the pleasure of shopping in a particular store, you have to stop and wonder: is a Costco membership worth it? Costco is a members-only warehouse club that carries a range of goods from groceries to appliances. CHOICE Community members say that petrol and diesel from the Costco fuel outlets can be around 10 to 40 cents a litre cheaper than other retailers' prices. Costco members have the convenience of shopping from home or visiting one of its many locations. And unlike your local nightclub, you can get a handle of vodka for $20 at Costco. Read on. For instance, Costco sells Fage yogurt in tubs large enough to feed you breakfast for a week; its rotisserie chickens, like the ones at your local grocery store, are the perfect size for dinner (and for lunch the next day). Currently, the annual membership fee for a Gold Star membership (that’s the standard option) is $60. Costco membership overview Membership fee is for one 12-month period from the date of enrollment of the Primary Cardholder. There are plenty of items where Costco prices are just unbeatable, and some smart shopping will more than cover the Costco membership fee (see the table below for more details). They also received access to discounted alcohol, tasty samples, and $1 churros at the Costco food court, among other perks. Shop at any Costco location wo… The same applies to refunds on purchases, with some limitations. Fortunately, canceling is as easy as visiting your nearest Costco or calling Costco’s customer services hotline. $60 for a One-Year Costco Gold Star Membership Package (reg $60) As part of this exclusive offer, all new members will receive: Okay, so the cover charge is actually the Costco membership fee, and it lets you come and go as you please for a year, not just one night. A $40 online voucher Promo Code will be sent to the member’s email address within 2 weeks of successful completion of the signup process. TJ McCue Senior Contributor. Short answer, because of your state legislators. If you spend more than $250 per month ($3,000 in a year), you’ll get back at least $60 with the Executive membership’s annual 2% reward. If you prefer a phone call, the number is 1-800-774-2678. Membership is available for individuals employed in a … Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. ³ Available to owners or operators of businesses who want the benefits of a Costco Business Membership, with the added value of an Executive Membership. Bankrate.com does not include all companies or all available products. (To make back your $120 membership fee with the annual 2% reward, you have to spend $6,000 throughout the year.). (Images of membership cards are from Costco.com). After the price increase, Costco will be $15 more than rival $45 Sam’s Club’s standard membership (which doesn’t include the pharmacy discounts) and $10 more than the $50 membership … But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. Which certificate of deposit account is best? Costco does not offer a senior discount or a discounted membership for seniors. It’s no secret that Wirecutter loves Costco. Since you do have to have a Costco membership to purchase Costco gas, it is one of the biggest perks of having a membership. So, you could pay your membership fee, give it a trial run, and if you feel you are not getting the value from it that you’d like – ask for a refund. We’ve added a list of frequently asked questions about Costco membership. Only members are allowed to make purchases, though, so keep in mind that the person who acts as the primary cardholder has to pay at checkout and get reimbursed afterward. But each one comes with a sign-up bonus of sorts: College students get a free Google Nest Mini and a $20 Costco gift card (valued at $45), while military members and veterans receive coupons for free products and other savings (valued at more than $60). Tweet This. You can shop for things like headphones, iPhones, engagement rings, Legos, and plenty of other items. The stores offer a broad array of product categories, including groceries, candy, appliances, tires, toys, hardware, sporting goods, jewelry, watches, cameras, books, clothing and furniture. However, it's not necessarily cheap to be able to shop in the membership-only warehouse. Learn more. Let’s start off by breaking down the cost of membership at Costco. In 1983 the first Costco warehouse opened, and 10 years later, the Price Club and Costco brands merged as PriceCostco, with 206 locations in the U.S. By 1997, the chain had become worldwide and went back to the name Costco. Gold Star membership 1. The Costco return policy states on membership fee refunds: Risk-Free 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Purchase products for business, personal and resale (proof of business ownership required when applying). Gold Star Executive Membership. A Gold Star Costco membership is going to be ideal for those who are using Costco for personal shopping for themselves or a family. Can I add someone to my Costco Executive Membership? For more memberships plans click here for details. When writing/updating the tax code for their state, they have decided to make/keep wholesale club fees taxable. Today, Costco has nearly 800 stores across the globe and is fondly known for its food court with the $1.50 hot dog and soda combo, its private-label wines that rival award-wining vintages, and its giant-sized packages of just about everything. And if you’re an avid coffee drinker, Costco offers a great deal on Peet’s Coffee gift cards ($80 for $100 worth of gift cards, enough to pay for around 40 cups o’ joe, depending on the price of your usual order). If you're a regular visitor, it might mean you can make up your $60 membership fee quite quickly (but make sure you factor in the distance you've had to drive to get to your nearest store). Let's start with the less expensive membership of the two. But if you spend more than $1,200 on Costco.com without being a member, you’ll lose money—that’s when it’s time to shell out the $60. For example, you could get a $50 Costco gift card for just $40. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Is there any way to shop at Costco without a membership? You will be required to show your membership card when entering any Costco warehouse and when checking out at a payment register. You just need to get a little creative! Is the Costco Executive membership worth it? We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Create Your Own Test Trial. Is a Costco membership worth it if you don’t shop in bulk? We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you. Here are some Costco shopping tips to help you recoup that cost. On Membership: We will cancel and refund your membership fee at any time if you are dissatisfied. (Note: Though each Costco membership can have only one primary member, a secondary cardholder can be added for free.). You might be wondering why you’d want to renew in advance. Our new Money newsletter will help you manage your finances like a pro—sign up here.]. 1. ☹ But there are still plenty of ways you can shop for free at Costco. © 2021 Bankrate, LLC. Available to anyone age 18 or older. Costco Memberships Price $0 to $25 (1) $25 to $50 (1) $50 to $100 (4) $100 to $200 (3) $200 to $500 (1) $500 to $1000 (1) $1,000 to $2,000 (1) $2,000 to $5,000 (1) Costco’s prices on tires, for instance, are wholesale and include shipping and handling fees; the installation package comes with lifetime maintenance services such as pressure checks, balancing, rotations, and flat repairs. Another option to consider is the Gold Star Executive membership, which costs $120 each year. If you’re not satisfied with your membership, a full refund is given at any time. Costco’s strategy is to provide its members with a avery wide variety of high quality merchandise at consistently low prices. Join Costco as a new member, enroll in auto renew and receive a Costco Shop Card. Costco offers three membership levels: Gold Star, Executive and Business. Not everything at Costco comes in bulk, though. An Executive or Gold Star Membership includes one free Household Card. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. visit costco.com for more information about costco … Though you have to be a member to get good deals on most things sold at Costco, there are a few areas of the store that nonmembers can still access: If your in-store visits are too infrequent to warrant getting your own membership, here are two ways to buy stuff at Costco without it: Nonmembers can use these cards to purchase cheap gas at Costco gas stations, a privilege usually reserved for members. Access to most Costco services: Costco’s auto program (discount purchases on automobiles, parts, service, motorcycles and power sports), identity protection, bottled water delivery, mortgage lending and refinancing, business and. An Executive Membership is an additional $60 upgrade fee a year. Over the phone, a service agent will walk you through how to solve the issue. Business Members who wish to purchase items for … Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. how we make money. Business Membership $ 55 per year For business and enterprise use. On Membership: We will cancel and refund your membership fee at any time if you are dissatisfied. You should also explore Costco’s other benefits, which include discounted gift cards, photo printing, optical services, and tire installation packages. Here is a look at the types of memberships and benefits to help you decide whether a Costco club card is a savvy addition to your wallet. But individuals and couples can benefit, too. Costco memberships cost money, even though they usually offer special deals for their members like one day sales. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. You can get gift cards at a discount on gift card resale sites. On these websites you can purchase a gift card for less cash than it’s worth. There’s really no definitive answer: The bottom line is that a Costco membership can be worth it, depending on how often you go and what you buy. If the idea of circling for a spot in Costco’s typically crowded parking lots drives you mad, you can still reap the benefits of the warehouse club’s low prices online: Both Gold Star and Gold Star Executive memberships can be used at Costco.com. Costco, dubbed a membership warehouse club, is Australia’s answer to bulk goods shopping, but it’s not as simple as rocking up and stocking your car with 1,000 rolls of toilet paper. Your membership card is valid at any Costco warehouse worldwide and is not transferable. As long as you are able to save more than 60 dollars at Costco over the course of a year, then the membership cost is basically free. The card can only be purchased by a Costco member, but they can be loaded with up to $1,000, so if you have a good friend or family member with a Costco membership, you can take advantage of their membership and have them purchase the card for you. Here are some instances when the $60 annual fee for a Gold Star membership — the lowest-priced tier of Costco membership — can't necessarily be justified. In 2019, 98.5 million people paid for a Costco membership, according to Statista.For a yearly fee of $60, they shopped quality goods in bulk at wholesale prices. Costco charges customers to shop - so is it worth the membership fee? Shopping for supplies in large quantities is a huge part of Costco’s appeal, and buying in bulk often means nabbing better per-item prices when you do the math. Free Household Card available. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. Ideally, membership fees are offset by the discounts offered when shopping at Costco. Enter your email to receive email and other commercial electronic messages about the latest news, promotions, special offers and other information from Costco, regarding Costco, its affiliates and selected partners. All of the benefits of Gold Star Membership. Depending on the membership level you choose, the cost ranges from $60 to $120 per year. While Costco opened its first Aussie warehouse in 2009, it launched its online store … Greater discounts on many Costco services. The Executive Gold Star Membership includes a free Household card*, and allows you to purchase products for your home and family. Getting a Costco Membership Fee Refund. Just one set of tires will more than pay your Costco membership fee. All Rights Reserved. Shop at any Costco location worldwide and Costco.com. Okay, so the cover charge is actually the Costco membership fee, and it lets you come and go as you please for a year, not just one night. 2. 2 Student College students receive a $20 Costco Shop Card when they join as a new member. Ideally, membership fees are offset by the discounts offered when shopping at Costco. Consumer Tech. It soon found that catering to small business owners and certain non-business members generated more revenue, and the warehouse club industry took roots. May be subject to sales tax. Costco stopped accepting American Express cards in 2016. Offset the Membership Cost. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Two cards: One for primary member plus a free household card for the member’s spouse, domestic partner, or anyone under 18 living at the same address. My first year of Executive membership, I received a $60.58 annual rebate check, coming out just $0.58 ahead of the added $60 fee. Costco Membership specially opened the customer service channel namely the \"Contact Customer Service\". If you have a Costco.com account, find your renewal date by navigating to My Account and Renew Membership. A Costco Gold Star membership costs $60 a year, and a Costco Gold Star Executive membership costs $120 a year. Passive income ideas to help you make money, Best age for Social Security retirement benefits, 10 Costco do’s and don’ts: What to buy and what to avoid, Savings challenge: Find the best diaper deals, Privacy policy / California privacy policy. Does the membership extend to Costco.com? COUPON (1 days ago) A simple way to pay less for your Costco membership is to find a good deal. In many cases, yes. So, is the price of a Costco membership worth it. Do you like to eat out? See annual 2% Reward terms and conditions for a complete list of exclusions. Costco is raising membership fees soon. Make great savings with Costco membership subscription starting from £15. Have your membership number (printed on the back of your card) handy! Costco Membership Promo Code - 80% February 2021. How To Shop Costco Membership-Free. Nearly 89 million people worldwide have a membership to shop at Costco warehouse stores. Here are simple ways to get a Costco membership without paying the membership fee. There are various Costco Membership discount coupons available on valuecom.com, and some of which work in different ways. We contacted Costco stores in Arizona, Georgia, New York, and Maryland to verify this information — all locations confirmed that there are no senior discounts for membership fees, products, or services at Costco. Pay attention because Costco often offers $70 to $80 off certain brands of tires at different times of the year. If you don’t want your Household card holder to be hit with the membership fee next time they go shopping at Costco that’s a pretty good reason to renew it yourself. Entertainment | Tickets & Gift Certificates | Costco Memberships. Costco also offers student and military memberships, both of which cost the same as the Gold Star membership ($60). Reducing Shrinkage . A Red Ventures company. Make great savings with Costco membership subscription starting from £15. A Costco membership is particularly appealing to those who buy in bulk, business owners and larger families. In other words, you will get to create your own free trial and save money. That means you’ll at least break even on the cost of the standard Gold Star membership. So if you don’t want to apply for the Costco credit card or another Visa, you’ll need to carry a wad of cash, a debit card, or a check to pay for your 24-pack of toilet paper. Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. ], You have two Costco membership types to choose from: Gold Star and Gold Star Executive.