Costco’s $1.50 hot dog combo and bulk grocery aisles get most of the attention, but members who look past the checkout line can find savings that go well beyond food, according to the company’s website and news reports.
Here are five lesser-known ways shoppers can get more value out of their membership.
Cheaper Gas, With a Few Extra Perks
Costco gas is often priced below competitors, though actual savings vary by location and driving habits, according to Money Talks News. Members can check local prices and station hours ahead of time through the Costco app. The pumps also feature long hoses that let drivers fuel up from either side of the vehicle. “Whether your gas tank is on the left or right side of your car, you can choose the shortest line,” Costco’s website states.
The Executive Membership Math
Upgrading from the standard $65 Gold Star membership to the $130 Executive membership adds an annual 2% reward, capped at $1,250, on qualifying purchases. Because the upgrade costs $65 more, members would need roughly $3,250 in qualifying annual spending to offset that added cost. Executive members also get earlier warehouse access — typically 9 a.m. at many locations — along with additional discounts on select Costco Services.
Travel Bookings and Rewards
Costco Travel allows members to book vacation packages, cruises, hotels and rental cars. Executive members earn their 2% reward on qualifying travel purchases as well, though it’s credited only after the trip concludes. Money Talks News reported that one member who booked a trip to Costa Rica received a $200 Shop Card afterward — enough, they noted, to cover more than three years of membership fees.
Discounted Gift Cards
Costco sells gift cards for theme parks, movie theaters, performances and other activities at a discount, according to its website. “Costco offers deals like two $50 gift cards for $79.99 or four $15 gift cards for $44.99,” Linda Chavez, founder and CEO of Seniors Life Insurance Finder, told Real Simple. “These offers make stocking up on gift cards for Christmas or birthdays a breeze,” she said.
Free Tire Service for Life
Shoppers who buy tires through Costco’s tire center get free rotation, balancing, pressure checks and flat repairs for as long as they own those tires, Money Talks News reported. Those services can add up over time, though the outlet noted shoppers should still compare tire prices and available services locally before buying.
Taken together, these lesser-known benefits mean the true value of a Costco membership may extend well past the warehouse aisles — for members willing to look for it.
