Costco members have the joy of finding all their shopping needs in one place at great prices! Who wouldn’t want to be part of this amazing club?
Costco is all about buying items that you need in bulk. It’s the place for great deals and free snacks. Here at Costco97, we’re all about helping you uncover those .97 sales so that you can navigate your local store and get the most out of your membership. But how much is a Costco membership? There are different membership prices depending on your level, but the most common one sits at just $60.
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Related: What Are the Main Costco Benefits That Come with a Membership?
What Can You Get at Costco?
What can’t you get at this amazing wholesaler? Costco is full of striking deals, which makes it the perfect one-stop shop for all grocery, business, and household needs. Take a look at some of the top items to shop for below.
1. Furniture
Furnish your home with quality pieces at low prices thanks to a Costco membership. From mattresses to appliances, it’s easy to swap out your run-down furniture for something new this season.
2. Pantry Items
If there’s one thing that is easy to stock up on while at Costco, it’s their snacks. The bulk items can help you keep your pantry filled with chips, fruit snacks, and even baked goods like cookies and croissants.
3. Household Essentials
Always running out of cleaning supplies when you need them the most? From detergent to all-purpose cleaners, never let your home go untidy by grabbing Costco’s household essentials.
4. Food Court
While all these products are appealing, the most popular part of Costco is the food court. The wholesaler does their best to keep prices as low as possible, with some menu items under $2. Costco’s food court holds a best-selling item that customers can’t get enough of: the Costco hot dog. The price has remained $1.50 for the hot dog and soda combo since it was introduced in 1984 and knowing Costco, it will stay the same for years to come.
5. Protein
With grocery prices rising these days, getting a membership with Costco can help lower how much you spend on proteins like steak, salmon, bars, and nuts. Even Costco’s luxurious foods often go on sale so you can enjoy the best they have to offer. They also have amazing deals on protein bars and powders to keep you full and energized.
How Much Is a Costco Membership?
But back to the real question. How much is a Costco membership? It depends on what you’re looking for. The quick answer is between $60 to $120. Three memberships vary within those price ranges, and each comes with its own unique perks.
Is There a Free or Discounted Membership?
Costco does not offer a free or discounted version of their memberships. However, with their amazing discounted deals, where prices are 15% less than places like Trader Joe’s, you’ll quickly earn your money back in those savings.
What Is the Difference Between Each Type of Membership?
Gold Star Membership
The Gold Star Membership is the most common and sits at a rate of $60 annually. This membership includes a Household card and is valid at all Costco locations worldwide.
Business Membership
The Business Membership is $60 annually, includes a Household Card, and is valid at all locations worldwide. If you want to add an Affiliate Cardholder, it’ll be $60 each.
This membership was created so that you can purchase products for business and resale use at any location and online – therefore no sales tax is charged on these purchases. If you’re interested, you need to have a business license or three pieces of business ID.
Executive Membership
The Executive Membership is like the elite membership of Costco and is priced at $120 for a year. This membership includes a free Household Card that is valid at all Costco locations worldwide, an annual 2% reward on qualified Costco purchases, and additional benefits and savings on Costco Services.
Check out: Is There a Costco Membership Discount? Here Are the Member Prices and Discounts
Other Benefits From a Costco Membership
Besides the amazing food court that provides stellar hot dogs, what other benefits can you expect with a Costco membership?
This depends on which store location you’re at, but several amazing benefits include same-day delivery in most metropolitan areas, lower gasoline prices at Costco gas stations, and even credit card savings.
For a full list of Costco benefits, check out our blog.
What Are Costco Services?
Costco Services come as extra deals available to Costco members. Being able to shop amazing, affordable deals is reward enough, but this is an even bigger incentive for a Costco membership. Some of these perks include a discount on pet insurance plans and Costco travel as well as 15% savings on vehicle services. For more information on Costco services, keep reading:
Pharmacy
Save money on over-the-counter medication or prescriptions with the Costco Pharmacy. They have competitive and discounted prices with a delivery service to bring medication right to your door.
Pet Insurance
Costco members can save up to 15% on pet insurance through Figo. Pet insurance helps cover bills for hospital visits, surgeries, prescriptions, and more.
Tire and Car Center
The Costco Tire Center is another perk available to Costco members. Vehicle maintenance just got more convenient now that you can shop for groceries while your car is getting checked.
Travel
Save money by using Costco’s travel packages and available services. From vacation deals to cruises, you can explore the world at a cheaper rate just by grabbing a membership at the wholesaler.
For an in-depth look at the services and soon-to-be savings that you’ll have access to, check here for all information.
Can I Buy From Costco Without a Membership?
Yes, you can!
While the real fun begins when you have full access to all of Costco’s perks, certain items are available for those without a membership. It depends on the store location itself, but some items like alcohol or immunizations are available for non-members as well. Plus, if a Costco member gives you what’s known as a “Costco Shop Card,” you can spend that cash in the store regardless if you have a membership or not. This is a Costco hack that is not very well known, but it grants entry into Costco locations that require membership for access.
Thanks to these perks, many potential customers are free to walk around the store and check out the amazing deals available to members. Please be aware that some stores do require a membership or cash card to get in.
Read More: How Costco Pays You to Be a Member
How to Shop Costco Online
Shopping online and either picking up or having your purchases delivered is becoming more popular. Costco allows you to do just that with their delivery services. They offer both same-day and 2-day delivery options. The same-day delivery is available for everyone, not just members, but with an upcharge that goes through Instacart.
For 2-day shipping, only Costco members have access to quick, non-perishable grocery delivery. Similar to same-day shipping, there is a bit of an up-charge for convenience, but it does save you a trip to the store when you’re busy.
And for groceries that you can’t find in the store? That’s where Costco Next comes in. The member-only database lets you check out certain brands that work with Costco to view discounted items in their stock. So if you don’t see an item in the warehouse — such as beauty products or clothing — you can order them directly from the source.
When to Shop at Costco?
Avoid the crowds when starting your Costco journey by planning the best times to shop. Whether you’re near the busiest store in the world or just want to shop without crowds, check our recommendations here for the best times to head over to your local Costco.
How to Find the Closest Costco?
Using Costco97’s store locator database, you can not only find the closest store to you but also amazing in-store hidden deals. For more information on Costco store locations, like the biggest Costco in the world, or new stores they plan to open in the future, check here to find a store near you.
How Does Costco Compare to Other Membership Stores?
Costco isn’t the only wholesaler that requires a membership to shop. Other stores, like Sam’s Club or BJ’s, also have the same format. But how do they compare?
Costco’s basic membership costs $60 while BJ’s costs $55 and Sam’s Club costs $50. For the premium membership, Costco costs $120, while BJ’s costs $110 and Sam’s Club costs $110. Safe to say that the price points are pretty similar, but Costco’s benefits truly outweigh other retailers.
How to Sign Up, Cancel, and Renew Memberships?
Signing up for a Costco membership is incredibly easy, but so is renewing. To get a membership, you simply have to go into the warehouse or visit Costco online. If you’re visiting the warehouse, go to the customer service desk and ask them to help you get a membership. It involves giving some information, like your name, address, and credit card information. They’ll snap a picture and give you a household card to purchase products, and you can start shopping immediately after paying.
To renew, you just have to go into your online account at Costco.com and go to your account settings. There will be a tab that says Renew Membership; this allows you to either renew for another year or set up auto-renewal so you never forget. You can also renew your membership the next time you visit a Costco using the customer service desk.
As for canceling, it’s just as easy — whether online or in person. You’ll need your account ID number y and then Costco will move forward with refunding your membership.
Is a Costco Membership Worth It?
Definitely! If you don’t want to miss out on product value and yet are looking to save money, then getting ahold of a Costco membership is crucial. While $60 for the standard membership might seem like a big expense, it truly is worth it after all the savings. To read more about why Costco is worth it, check out our blog.
Read More: How to Check Costco Inventory?
