Here’s How You Can Save on a Costco Membership

published Mar 20, 2019
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(Image credit: Trong Nguyen)

If you’re one of the 52 million paying Costco members across the world, chances are you love a bargain. And seeing as the company has an 88 percent renewal rate, customers are clearly coming back for more. But when it comes to plunking down that fee for your annual membership, there are a few ways to save a couple bucks.

Costco membership prices vary depending on what level of membership you are seeking. They generally range from $60 for a regular Gold Star membership to $120 for a Business Executive Membership. While it’s unlikely you’ll find much below the $60 mark, it is always worth a browse on the discount websites, like Groupon and LivingSocial, where you can occasionally spot cheaper membership deals that provide extensive coupons and a $20 Costco Cash Card.

Directly on the Costco website, active duty, veteran, and retired military members can take advantage of a membership promotion for additional savings from Costco by verifying their military status with ID.me. However, you have to be a new Costco member, so it doesn’t help if you were previously one. College students also receive additional benefits, like a $20 Costco Cash Card, when they apply for new membership. Teachers can also take advantage of an exclusive offer, which provides over $60 in savings.

But just because you don’t have a Costco membership doesn’t mean you’re entirely out of luck. You can take advantage of the food court, optometrist, pharmacy, and alcohol sections without a membership. And since membership comes with two cards, you can share a membership with a friend or sibling, which helps cut down the annual fee. If you’re a member, don’t forget to check Costco’s mailers for coupons before you shop.

Of course, you can always find a generous friend and sneak in with them as their guest. After all, that $1.50 hot dog and soda basically pays for itself.