Gas prices are soaring—here’s how save on gas with a Costco membership (2024)

Marissa Miller| Reviewed

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Whether you’re meal prepping for the week ahead, buying toiletries in bulk or looking for a great deal on a TV, there are plenty of reasons to shop at Costco—and right now, there's an even more compelling one: Cheap gas. The membership-only big box retailer has long been coveted for its massive inventory of groceries, home goods, clothing, personal care itemsand more. It basically has anything else you could ever need to survive a zombie apocalypse—or at least keep a well-stocked pantry, fridge and linen closet). It's also consistently one of the cheapest places to buy gas around, so if you're feeling the pinch at the pump as prices soar, you'll want to check this out.

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Boasting more than 113 million members over 62 million households, Costco operates 828 stores—or warehouses, as they're called—across 14 countries including the U.S., Canada, Japan, Spain, Iceland and France. Unlike a standard grocery or department store, you need a membership to shop there (and even just to get through the front door!). Costco keeps a highly curated 4,000 SKUs in inventory, which it's able to sell at wholesale prices.

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If you're interested in shopping at Costco, here’s how a Costco membership works, including how much it costs and whether or not it's worth it for you and your family.

How much is a Costco membership?

There are two types of Costco membership: the Gold Star membership and the Executive membership. The Gold Star membershipcosts $60 per year andincludes two cards—one for you and one for someone else in your household—thatgrant you access to all locations worldwide along with Costco online.

The Executive membership costs $120 and similarly includes two cards and access to all locations around the world and online. However, you also get an additional 2% savings on all qualifying purchases (with a maximum total of $1,000 in savings per year), along with savings on vacations booked through Costco Travel.

What can you buy at Costco?

The better question is what can’tyou buy at Costco? The retailer offers a wide variety of products. In the grocery section, you'll find produce, fresh bakery goods,shelf-stable pantry items—like granola bars, snacks, spices and coffee—and frozen foods. The rest of the store is a haven ofapparel, name-brand electronics, furniture, cleaning supplies, beauty items, office supplies, plants, sporting goods, fitness equipment, pharmacy staples, bedding and a whole lot more (even caskets).

Keep in mind that the in-store and online shopping experience at Costco may drastically differ—the inventory is usually far greater online than it is in store, but it’ll be cheaper to shop in store thanks to shipping fees.

What are the main benefits of Costco?

Depending on where you live, there are a few key perks to a Costco membership.

Costco gasoline

With gas prices skyrocketing, the draw of Costco gasoline might be a big sell for getting a membership. At the self-serve gas stations—which are located next to the Costco warehouses—you can fuel up with Kirkland Signature gas and diesel for lower prices than you'd pay at other pumps.

Same-day delivery

In most metropolitan areas, you can take advantage of same-day delivery powered by Instacart for purchases of $35 or more.

Concierge services

If you purchase electronics—like a TV, camera, printer or laptop—at Costco, you can take advantage of free concierge services to help set up and operate your new buy.

Free samples

Free samples have long been the cherry on top of shopping at Costco. The in-store shopping experience also includes demos of electronics. Plus, while not free, you cangrab super cheap hot dogs, pizza and other goodies from the Costco food court.

Haul Away

Instead of having to move and discard bulk items like appliances and mattresses yourself, use Costco’s Haul Awayservice, which is available in select locations. Upon delivering your new item, the delivery team will remove your bulk item and recycle it.

Credit card savings

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, which doubles as a membership ID, offers 4%back on eligible gas purchases, 3% back on eligible restaurant and travel purchases and2% back on all in-store and online purchases.

Is a Costco membership worth it?

The brand claims that the $60 fee for the Gold Star membership ends up paying for itselfif you shop at Costco frequently. Of course, this all depends on how much you buy and how often. If you're someone who likes to buy in bulk or who is shopping for a household, a Costco membership is a no-brainer. It's a great way to stock up on things you need—like a 12-pack of deodorant, 30 rolls of toilet paper and a 288-pound tub of macaroni and cheese—and spend a lot less than you would at a traditional grocery store or similar retailer like Target.

Sign up for a Costco membership starting at $60/year.

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Gas prices are soaring—here’s how save on gas with a Costco membership (2024)

FAQs

Is a Costco membership worth it to save on gas? ›

I've been a Costco member for 25+ years and, for the past five, have been shopping for just myself. Costco has great food deals and I save by buying my electronics and tires there. I'm regularly saving 25 to 30 cents a gallon on gas by going to Costco.

Do Costco members pay less for gas? ›

Price check

Quality gas is important, yes, but so is price. Costco Gas Stations offer consistently low, member-exclusive prices. With the Costco app, you can check Costco gas prices on your phone. On the app, find your local warehouse to see hours of operation, gas prices and more warehouse details.

What is the benefit of getting gas at Costco? ›

Buying gas at Costco can save you money -- typical savings are around $0.20 per gallon. It makes stopping at the warehouse club more convenient -- you can buy groceries and fuel up your car. The higher quality of Costco gas could help your vehicle run more smoothly.

How do I pump gas with my Costco membership card? ›

The way it works is simple. Pull up to a pump and insert your membership card. Next, you can insert or tap your payment card.

Do you really save money with a Costco membership? ›

If you fill up your car with gas at Costco once or twice a month, the gas savings alone would cover the cost of your membership fee. But if you don't live close to a Costco and don't go often, or can't find anything you want to buy when you get there, then you may not end up with $60 in savings.

Do you get 2 cash back on Costco gas with an executive membership? ›

An executive membership at Costco costs $120 per year, which is twice as much as a basic membership. The primary benefit of the executive membership is scoring 2% back on Costco purchases. Certain purchases don't qualify for cash back, including gas, stamps, and vehicles.

How much do people save on gas from Costco? ›

Most reports seem to indicate that Costco gas tends to be about $0.20 less on average than traditional gas stations in the same area, although there are reports that estimate the savings at nearly double this amount. To be conservative with the analysis, we'll use $0.20 per gallon in savings.

Why is Costco gas not cheap anymore? ›

As gasoline prices fall, Costco does not lower prices at the same pace it raises them when prices are climbing. This allows the company to recoup some of the profits lost by doing the reverse when prices were rising.

Does gas count on Costco membership? ›

In the U.S., Rewards are not calculated: (i) on purchases of cigarettes or tobacco-related products, gasoline, Costco Cash Cards, postage stamps, alcoholic beverages in certain states (including Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee), and at food courts; (ii) on membership fees; (iii) on ...

Do you get money back on gas with Costco card? ›

Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi Cash Back Rewards

Earn cash back rewards on purchases wherever Visa® is accepted. You'll get 4% back on eligible gasoline purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter. You'll also earn 3% on restaurants and eligible travel purchases, including Costco Travel.

Where does Costco gas come from? ›

Q: Where does Costco get its fuel? A: Costco buys fuel from major refineries and distributors in each area. All Kirkland Signature™ Fuel is guaranteed, just like the merchandise we sell inside the warehouse.

Is Costco gas card worth it? ›

It actually offers higher rewards rates on gas purchases (4% cash back up to $7,000 spent per year), travel (3% cash back) and dining at restaurants (3% cash back). All other purchases provide 1% cash back, which is about average for a rewards card.

Can I pump gas at Costco if I forgot my card? ›

It's important to note that if you want to pump gas at Costco without your physical card, you will need to have a Costco Shop Card, which is different from the membership card [2].

Is Costco fuel good quality? ›

Costco fuel stations are well-maintained by our capable attendants so you may be confident that the fuel going into your car is clean. Costco uses fuel filters in the petrol pumps to catch particles or debris larger than 10 microns in diameter. For comparison, the average human hair is seventy microns thick.

Can I use my Costco Rewards at the gas pump? ›

The Reward may be redeemed toward purchases of most merchandise through the front-end registers (not currently available at self-checkout) at Costco warehouses in the U.S. Reward certificates may not be used: (i) toward purchases that are not recorded through Costco's front-end registers, such as purchases at gas ...

Do you get 4% back on Costco gas? ›

Earn cash back rewards on purchases wherever Visa® is accepted. You'll get 4% back on eligible gasoline purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter. You'll also earn 3% on restaurants and eligible travel purchases, including Costco Travel.

What makes a Costco membership worth it? ›

The Costco Member Prescription Program makes it possible to save up to 80% on popular medications. That means a typical senior who is spending $456 annually could reduce that amount by as much as $364.80. The prescription savings alone would more than justify the annual membership fee.

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