Costco Membership Package: Executive + $40 Costco Digital Shop Card
Costco offers two membership tiers: Gold Star membership costs $65 annually, while Executive membership runs $130 per year. Executive members earn 2% back on purchases (up to $1,000 annually), which covers the $65 upgrade cost if you spend $3,250+ annually at Costco.
Costco's promotional offers vary by item and membership status. Some deals are exclusive to new members, while others require auto-renewal enrollment. Furniture promotions often have tiered savings, and instant savings coupons apply automatically at checkout for eligible items.
Teachers, students, military personnel, first responders, medical professionals, and government employees can receive a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card after verifying their status through ID.me, MyUNiDays, or SheerID. The shop card works like cash and can be used on future Costco purchases.
If an item you purchased at Costco goes on sale within 30 days, Costco will credit you the difference between what you paid and the promotional price. You can request a price adjustment online or by contacting customer service with your order details.
Costco offers free shipping on grocery orders of $75 or more. For larger items like appliances and furniture, they provide in-home delivery and installation services for an additional fee, which includes professional setup and removal of packaging.
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card offers 4% back on gas (up to $7,000 annually), 3% on restaurants and travel, 2% on Costco purchases, and 1% on everything else. New cardholders often receive a statement credit bonus, and the card includes access to Citi Flex Pay for larger purchases.
Yes, a Costco membership can be used by two people from the same household who are over 16 years old. Both members get their own membership cards and can shop independently at any Costco location or online.
Check the "Deals" tab at the top of Costco.com's homepage and browse the "Warehouse Savings" page for current promotions. Members also receive a monthly coupon book by mail, which can be viewed online. Sign up for email offers to get exclusive promotions and early sale notifications.
Gold Star membership ($65) provides basic store access and standard member benefits. Executive membership ($130) includes everything from Gold Star plus 2% rewards on purchases, exclusive deals, and additional services. Executive pays for itself if you spend more than $3,250 annually at Costco.
Costco has a generous return policy, though specific details vary by item type. You can return or replace most Costco.com orders, and members can bring items to any Costco location. Your membership number helps track purchases even without a physical receipt.
Costco's membership-driven model creates multiple layers of savings that go way beyond bulk pricing. From their generous price match policy to exclusive member perks, there are plenty of ways to maximize your value. Whether you're hunting for deals or looking to stack rewards, understanding how their system works can seriously boost your buying power.
While Costco doesn't typically offer traditional promo codes, they run plenty of special promotions and instant savings offers that work even better. Here's how to make sure you're getting every available discount:
If a code isn't working, double-check the expiration date and make sure your cart meets any minimum purchase requirements. Some offers are exclusive to new members or require auto-renewal enrollment.
There are plenty of reasons to get a Costco membership, but which one is right for you?
At $65 per year, Gold Star membership is Costco's entry-level option, but don't let that fool you — it still comes with substantial benefits. New Gold Star members who sign up for auto-renewal receive a $20 digital shop card, which helps offset the first year's membership cost.
Gold Star membership includes access to all Costco warehouses worldwide, plus online shopping with the same member pricing you'd get in-store. Each membership includes one free Household Card for another person over 16 in the same household.
Costco's Executive Membership costs $130 annually but pays for itself if you spend more than $270 per month. You'll earn 2% back on all Costco and Costco Travel purchases, capped at $1,000 in annual rewards. That means you could potentially save up to $1,000 yearly just for shopping like you normally would.
The math is pretty straightforward: if you spend $3,250 annually at Costco, your rewards cover the $65 upgrade cost from Gold Star. Anything beyond that is pure savings. Plus, Executive members get access to exclusive deals and services that aren't available to Gold Star members.
New members who enroll in auto-renewal often receive a Digital Costco Shop Card as a welcome bonus. Recent offers have included $20-$30 shop cards, though amounts vary by promotion. These digital cards work just like cash at Costco and can be used for future purchases.
Special groups get even better deals. Teachers, students, military personnel, first responders, medical professionals, and government employees can score a $20 Costco Shop Card after verification through services like ID.me or SheerID. It's basically free money for doing a job that serves the community.
Here's where Costco really shines: their price match policy covers items you've already bought. If that kayak you purchased last week goes on sale at Costco, Costco will credit you the difference between what you paid and the promotional price. You've got 30 days to request a price adjustment, and the process is surprisingly straightforward.
This policy removes the anxiety of timing your purchases perfectly. Buy what you need when you need it, knowing that Costco has your back if prices drop. It's like having a personal shopping insurance policy.
Every Costco member receives a monthly coupon book by mail, but you can also view it online if you're more digitally inclined. These aren't your typical grocery store coupons — we're talking substantial savings on everything from electronics to household essentials.
The "Instant Savings" coupons are even better because they automatically apply at checkout. No clipping, no remembering to bring them — just add eligible items to your cart and watch the savings stack up. These offers rotate regularly, so checking the current deals becomes part of the smart shopping routine.
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card turns every purchase into a rewards opportunity. You'll earn 4% back on gas (up to $7,000 annually), 3% on restaurants and travel, 2% on Costco purchases, and 1% on everything else. New cardholders often get a statement credit bonus, making it worth applying even if you already have other rewards cards.
For business owners, the Costco Citi Business Card offers similar perks with higher spending limits. Both cards also provide access to Citi Flex Pay for larger purchases, letting you split payments over time without the typical credit card interest rates.
Costco offers free shipping on grocery orders of $75 or more, which is pretty easy to hit when you're buying in bulk. For larger items, they provide in-home delivery and installation services — perfect for appliances, furniture, and electronics that need professional setup.
The "Perfect" Fit Guide helps you prepare for in-home delivery, ensuring your new purchases arrive and get installed without any surprises. It's the kind of white-glove service that justifies the membership fee all by itself.
Costco's customer service team is there to help with orders, returns, and membership questions through multiple channels. Their live chat feature is perfect for quick questions, and you can always call or visit a store for more complex issues.
Their FAQ section covers everything from membership charges to delivery scheduling, and the Costco Wallet feature helps you manage payments and track rewards all in one place.