A Costco membership costs money up front, so the goal is simple: get more back than you paid. Here's how I'd do it, using only what Costco says on its own site.
The tiers and what they cost
| Membership | Price a year | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Star | $65 | One free Household Card |
| Business | $65 | One free Household Card. Extra Affiliate cards are $65 each. |
| Executive | $130 ($65 plus a $65 upgrade) | One free Household Card and a 2% yearly reward |
Prices are plus sales tax. The Household Card goes to someone 16 or older who lives at your address.
Is Executive worth it?
Executive members earn 2% back on qualifying purchases, up to $1,250 in any 12-month period. The upgrade is $65, so you need to spend about $3,250 a year on qualifying items just to break even. Gas, tobacco and Costco Shop Cards don't count. Costco says plainly that the reward is not guaranteed to be more than the upgrade fee.
The reward is issued about three months before your renewal date. If you upgraded and it didn't pay off, you can cancel or go back to Gold Star and get the upgrade fee refunded. Any reward you already got is taken out of that refund.
My tip: start with Gold Star. Check your receipts after a few months. If you're on pace to spend well over $3,250 a year, upgrade then.
The $45 Shop Card for new members
Right now Costco gives a $45 Digital Costco Shop Card when you join online as a Gold Star or Executive member and set up auto-renewal on a Visa card. It runs through December 20, 2026. It's only for new members, or people who haven't been a member in the last 18 months. It's store credit, not cash. It's on the freebies page too.
The 30-day price adjustment
For Costco.com orders, if the price drops within 30 days of your purchase, you can ask for the difference with the Request a Price Match form. For items on promotion, you have to ask while the promotion is still running and within 30 days. Credits usually go back to your card in 5 to 10 business days. Precious metals are excluded, and Costco won't match its warehouse price on an online order.
Bought it in the warehouse? Costco says to ask at the Returns counter of the store where you bought it.
The satisfaction guarantee
Costco says it will cancel and refund your membership fee at any time if you're not happy. Most products are covered too, with some exceptions. TVs, computers, phones and major appliances have a 90-day return window.
Perks people forget
- Free hearing test: at the Costco Hearing Aid Center, for members 18 and older. Book it with your local center.
- Tire services: if you buy tires at Costco, Costco says lifetime services include pressure checks, balancing, rotations and flat repairs for those tires. They're also filled with nitrogen.
What you can do without a membership
- Shop Cards: Costco says anyone with a Costco Shop Card can shop in the warehouse or on Costco.com, member or not.
- Gas: the gas station is for members only. The exception is customers paying with a prepaid Costco Shop Card.
- Online: non-members can buy some items on Costco.com but pay 5% more.
- Pharmacy and alcohol: in some states, non-members can buy prescriptions and alcohol where the law requires it.
Check before you go. Costco can change these rules. The Shop Card offer ends December 20, 2026.