Do you know how to use these FREE perks that come with your Costco membership?
Out of all the warehouse stores, it seems like Costco has a cult following, and for very good reason. From the legendary $1.50 hot dog and soda combo to the treasure-hunt-like experience of wandering the aisles, the store has built a dedicated community of shoppers. And given all the controversy around the Costco membership and how everyone discussed how to use it as effectively as possible, it seems like no matter their age, everyone is talking about this store! The initial fee can seem like a hurdle, but seasoned members know it’s an investment that pays for itself many times over.
We will not beat around the bush! They are one of the most popular stores out there for a reason, and even with the price of the membership, it is one of the best ways to save money when you are doing groceries for your family. The bulk savings on household staples, high-quality Kirkland Signature products, and seasonal deals are the most visible benefits. However, the real genius of the membership lies in the vast ecosystem of services and perks that extend far beyond the warehouse walls, offering savings on nearly every aspect of your life.
Indeed, there are a lot of ways in which you can make the most of it, and you probably already know all the discounts that come along with getting the Costco membership, but do you know all the free perks that come along with it? Many members focus solely on filling their carts with giant tubs of pretzels and multi-packs of paper towels, completely overlooking a suite of benefits that could save them hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars annually. These are the hidden gems we’re here to uncover.
And we do not mean the ones that you can get in-store that people are raving about! We mean the ones that come as an extra to their own services, many of which can end up saving you even more money during the membership, and that many people seem to forget about. While the in-store samples and the incredibly priced rotisserie chicken are fantastic, they are just the tip of the iceberg. We are diving deeper into the world of Costco services, from planning your dream vacation to buying your next car and even insuring it.
From travel opportunities to cashback, we bought you the best perks that come with your Costco membership that people do not talk about, so that you can make the most of your membership and get it to work in your favor even more! Get ready to unlock the full potential of that little plastic card in your wallet. By the end of this article, you’ll see your membership not just as a ticket to a big store, but as a key to a world of exclusive savings and conveniences you never knew existed.
Did you know about these Costco membership perks before? Have you used any of them before reading about them here? Which one seems like the most worth it? Let us know your answers in the comments down below! We love hearing about how our readers are maximizing their savings and making their memberships work for them.
1. Did anyone say vacation?
You probably did not know that your Costco membership also comes with Costco Travel discounts, and you can get pretty steep deals on things like resort stays, cruises, and other types of travel with them. This isn’t just a basic booking portal; it’s a full-service travel agency curated specifically for members, often with exclusive packages and added value you won’t find anywhere else.
Costco Travel is a great place where you can find a lot of deals in general when it comes to traveling, yet not many people seem to be aware of it. You can find anything from flight tickets to great stays and all the way to rental car deals, and anyone can take advantage of their services. The platform consolidates offers from top-tier travel providers, allowing you to compare and book entire vacation packages—including flights, hotels, rental cars, and even activities—all in one streamlined process. It’s designed to take the stress out of vacation planning.
However, for those of us who have a Costco membership, you can receive an extra night for free at selected resorts in Florida, Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and other sought-after tropical locations! Imagine turning a four-night getaway into a five-night escape for the same price. This single perk can translate into hundreds of dollars in savings and a more relaxed, extended vacation experience.
If you have been dreaming about going on a cruise but do not want to spend too much, you can definitely look into Costco Travel, as a 7-night cruise leaving from Florida’s Port Canaveral starts at around $1,500. Yet, depending on when you look into it, you can get more deals and find them for better prices. They partner with major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian, offering itineraries to stunning destinations like Alaska, the Mediterranean, and the Mexican Riviera, often with special member-only pricing.
What’s more, you will receive the Digital Costco Shop Card as a bonus too, which unlocks other types of freebies and deals for you! This is a frequent inclusion in their vacation packages. It’s essentially a gift card you can use at any Costco warehouse or online, and the value can range from $50 to over $500, depending on the package. These are just some of the perks you can enjoy for the travel side of their business, and if you look closely, you can even get credit to use at the resorts since you booked with Costco Travel! This resort credit can be used for spa treatments, specialty dining, or excursions, adding another layer of free luxury to your trip.
Next time you are organizing your vacation, give them a try and see how your Costoco membership helps you get even more great deals! Before you book anywhere else, it’s always worth a few minutes to browse the Costco Travel website. The combination of competitive pricing, added amenities, and the potential for a sizable shop card bonus often makes it the most valuable option available.
2. Did you know you can buy a car easier with them?
Yes, you read that right. If you have a Costco membership, you can easily end up getting better deals when you are looking around to buy a new car. For many, the process of buying a car is filled with anxiety, pressure, and endless, stressful haggling. Costco aims to eliminate all of that with a surprisingly simple and effective program.
This is because the membership gets you into the Costco Auto Program, and they have an interesting relationship with approved dealers. Costco has meticulously vetted a network of dealerships across the country and pre-negotiated pricing on behalf of its members. This means the dealership has already agreed to offer a special, low, no-haggle price to anyone who comes through the program.
The program ends up having prearranged pricing, generally having the cars put at better prices than if you had just walked into these dealerships yourself. You simply use the Costco Auto Program website to research vehicles, locate a participating dealership, and get the contact information for a specific, authorized dealer contact. This person is trained to handle Costco members and will present you with the pre-negotiated price sheet, showing you both the manufacturer’s invoice and the discounted Costco member price.
Thus, you can end up getting a great price from a good dealer without the hassle of having to find them yourself or go through all the haggling with the representative. The transparency is a key benefit; you see exactly what the dealer paid for the car and exactly what your savings are. This removes the guesswork and the uncomfortable back-and-forth, creating a much more pleasant and straightforward buying experience.
Even better, this program is not just for new cars. Generally, you will also be able to find dealers for pre-owned cars, and it can go as far as dealing with new or pre-owned RVs as well! So whether you’re in the market for a reliable daily driver, a family-friendly SUV, or a motorhome for your cross-country adventures, the program has options to fit your needs and budget. The pre-owned vehicles are often hand-selected, high-quality “factory-certified” models.
There is a world of possibilities, and if you have been curious about the vehicle market, it is good to have a look at Costco’s Auto Program as well! The savings don’t stop once you drive off the lot, either. The program continues to offer value throughout your ownership of the vehicle.
The great news is that there are perks for your car, even if you have not bought it from Costco. The value extends to maintaining the car you already own. Your membership will get you an extra 15% off from any service center that is partnering with Costco in your area, so you may be able to get your car fixed or do our maintenance for less than at other car shops! This discount applies to parts, labor, and accessories, and can significantly reduce the cost of routine services like oil changes, tire rotations, and brake jobs over time.
3. Free delivery for groceries
Going to Costco can be an amazing experience, and if you have the time to wander around the aisles, you can never know what you can find on the shelves and what deals are lurking around for you to discover! It’s exciting to shop for deals! The “treasure hunt” aspect is a real phenomenon; you might go in for milk and bread and come out with a new patio set, a kayak, and a year’s supply of macadamia nuts.
Yet, as much as a lot of us love to go, there are a lot of other times when you just do not want to deal with the hassle of going grocery shopping. Sometimes other factors prohibit you from going; sometimes it may be the weather. One thing is for sure: there are lots of situations where you would rather do all your shopping from home. Perhaps it’s a busy weeknight, you have sick kids at home, or you simply don’t have a car large enough to haul a 48-pack of paper towels. For these moments, online ordering is a game-changer.
And if you have a Costco membership, this is within your grasp! Gone are the days when you could only shop at these warehouses in person, as you can go on their website and get all your favorite products directly from there for a shipping fee. The online inventory is vast, including many items you won’t even find in the physical stores, from furniture and high-end electronics to gourmet foods.
Yet, for members, you can end up getting two-day shipping for free if your order contains non-perishable items worth at least $75. This service, called CostcoGrocery, is perfect for stocking your pantry with staples like coffee, pasta, snacks, cleaning supplies, and toiletries. Hitting the $75 threshold is surprisingly easy when buying in bulk. If you are also shopping for refrigerated or even frozen food, you will have to meet the $100 threshold to be able to get free shipping. This service is typically handled through a partner like Instacart and offers same-day delivery for produce, meat, dairy, and frozen goods, bringing the full warehouse experience right to your doorstep.
Despite these limits that you have to reach to get free shipping, if you are getting together with some other family members or friends, you can easily reach those. Coordinating an order with a neighbor or relative is a smart way to hit the minimum for free delivery and share the bulk-sized bounty. This makes it a fantastic option for those who live alone and might struggle to use up a giant box of cereal before it goes stale.
Or, next time you know you are going to be stocking up on a lot of essentials, you can skip having to push around a very heavy cart and log around those heavy bags and just order them online! Think of the convenience for apartment dwellers who have to navigate stairs, or for elderly members who may find the physical shopping trip challenging. It’s a perk that adds immense practical value.
You never know when a perk like this comes in handy, so it’s good to keep in mind! Having the option for free delivery transforms how you can use your membership, blending the unbeatable prices of bulk buying with the modern convenience of e-commerce.
4. Cash Back on Purchases
What even some of the biggest Costco fans do not know is that you can end up getting cash back at their favorite warehouse store, but it is only available for the executive members. This is arguably the single most valuable perk for frequent Costco shoppers, as it directly puts money back into your pocket.
While some believe that it is just one Costco membership, the Gold Star one is what some would consider the basic one, which you can get for $60. This standard membership gets you in the door and gives you access to all the basic deals and services we’ve discussed so far. It’s a fantastic value on its own.
The more expensive one makes you an executive member, and you will have to pay $120 for the year, so double the price. Yet, the cashback is a free perk that only comes to them. This tier is designed for members who make Costco a regular part of their shopping routine and want to maximize their return on investment.
The Executive members end up getting back a 2% reward on every purchase made at the store, which will be payable around three months before your membership is set to renew, and you can end up earning a gift certificate of up to $1,000 a year! This check arrives in the mail and can be redeemed for cash or merchandise at any Costco warehouse. It feels like getting a bonus just for doing your regular shopping.
While there are a lot of people wondering if it is worth it to get the normal Gold Star Costco membership, there are others who are going to the Executive one without thinking twice due to this perk. The math is simple: the upgrade from Gold Star to Executive costs an additional $60. To earn that $60 back in rewards at a 2% rate, you need to spend $3,000 over the course of the year. Anything you spend beyond that is pure profit.
The 2% reward is going to apply to every purchase from the warehouse and any type of travel you book with their travel agency. Yet, you have to be already registered with the Exclusive membership before you book to be eligible for these. This is a crucial point; the reward applies to most purchases, including big-ticket items like electronics, furniture, and even Costco Travel packages, which can quickly accelerate your earnings.
It may sound tempting, but you need to ask yourself how much you are going to be shopping at the warehouse. Breaking down the spending requirement can make it seem much more attainable than you might think. A spend of $3,000 a year is just $250 a month, or about $60 a week. For a family, that amount can easily be reached through groceries, gas, and a few household essentials.
If you end up spending around $250 a month at the store, or about $3,000 a year, at least, then you should opt for the Executive membership, as the perks that come are going to be worth it! Even better, Costco essentially guarantees the value of the upgrade. If you don’t earn at least $60 in rewards by the end of the year, you can go to the membership counter and they will refund you the difference. This makes trying the Executive membership completely risk-free.
Take note that some items are going to be excluded from the 2% eligibility, and if you renounce the membership before the renewal date, you will lose all the perks accumulated. Common exclusions include gasoline, food court purchases, stamps, and alcohol in certain states. It’s also important to remain a member through the reward payout period to receive your check.
5. Amazing and easy-to-use return policy
Never sleep on their return policy! While some praise Amazon for its return policy, especially with its Prime membership, you should know that Costco has a similarly amazing return policy that may be even better at times. It’s legendary among long-time members and a cornerstone of the trust the company has built with its customers.
Costco has a risk-free 100% satisfaction guarantee, which means that they are sure that you are going to love all their products. Yet, if, for whatever reason, that is not the case and you are not satisfied, they are going to put their money where their mouth is and refund the item for you. This policy allows you to try new products without fear. Did that new brand of coffee not taste right? Did the sweater shrink after one wash? Did the office chair become uncomfortable after a week? You can bring it back.
No matter if you have purchased it online or in the warehouse if you bring your item back, they are going to refund you the cost without any problem. In fact, they have an indefinite return period, so you can always bring back the items you no longer want or need with no issues, which is almost never heard of in this day and age of retail. For most general merchandise, there is no time limit. This is a powerful benefit that provides incredible peace of mind for every purchase you make.
However, we have to mention that when it comes to electronics and other types of items (which you can check on their website), you will only have 90 days to return them before you will not be able to do so. This category includes televisions, projectors, computers, tablets, cameras, drones, and major appliances. And let’s be candid, that is enough time to realize you do not need that item or that something is wrong with it. This 90-day window is still far more generous than the typical 15- or 30-day return period offered by most other electronics retailers.
This return policy is available for their membership as well! This is perhaps the most powerful and underappreciated aspect of their guarantee. There is no need to debate whether or not it is worth it to have the membership with the store; you can easily bring it back at any time and get a full refund if you decide it is not for you. If at any point during your membership year you feel you aren’t getting enough value, you can cancel and receive a full refund of your membership fee.
So if you have been wondering if it is worth it, get it and give it a try! There is nothing to lose, as you will get your money back if you renounce it. This effectively makes trying a Costco membership, and even upgrading to the Executive tier, a completely risk-free decision. It’s the ultimate expression of confidence in the value they provide.
6. Car rentals at a better price, with a Free second driver!
This one is a perk that you get outside of the warehouse store, and it is one that comes in handy when you are going on vacation. It’s part of the Costco Travel ecosystem, but it’s so useful it deserves its own mention. Booking a rental car can often come with hidden fees and surprises, but Costco helps streamline the process and add significant value.
When you travel, you may choose to go long distances by plane; it’s faster, safer, and definitely a time saver. Yet, when you get to your destination, you will still need a car so that you can travel freely around the destination or to and from your accommodation. And a lot of the time, you will need to decide who will be the driver, which can be a bit of a mood killer, especially on long road trips or family vacations where sharing the driving duties is essential.
This is where your Costco membership comes in handy, as with certain rental companies, you can get discounts and add a second driver for the rental at no added cost. If you travel and rent cars frequently, you know that it can cost you up to $15 to do that. That’s per day! On a week-long rental, that’s an extra $105 you’re saving just by booking through the Costco portal. This fee waiver for an additional driver is a simple but incredibly valuable perk.
The Costco Travel website allows you to easily compare low, pre-negotiated rates across several major car rental agencies at once, so you can be sure you’re getting a competitive price. You can see all your options in one place without having to hop between different websites. The price you see is often the price you pay, with taxes and fees clearly displayed.
So next time you go on vacation, check to see if the rental company you use is going to be a Costco partner. They generally partner with Enterprise, Avis, Budget, and Alamo, so check them out. With these major brands included, you’ll have access to a wide selection of vehicles at most airports and neighborhood locations around the world. Simply log in to the Costco Travel site, enter your travel dates and location, and let the savings roll in.
7. Insurance
No matter if you end up getting your car through Costco or not (though their reviews are pretty good), make sure you go to insure it through Connect. Connect is an insurance firm that is powered by American Family Insurance, and they offer special deals to those who have Costco memberships. This partnership, known as Costco Services, extends the brand’s philosophy of value and quality into the often-complex world of insurance.
Be it car insurance or home insurance, you will be able to find low rates that are made especially for Costco members. Members who switched have reported significant annual savings, sometimes amounting to hundreds of dollars. Beyond just the discounted premium, policies offered through Connect often include valuable perks at no extra cost, such as roadside assistance, stolen key coverage, and for Executive members, lifetime renewability in some cases. It’s always worthwhile to get a free, no-obligation quote to compare with your current provider.
If you want to look into other types of insurance as well, you should also look into Protective, which is another Costco membership partner. They offer fast and low rates online for their life insurance policies. The partnership with Protective Life Insurance Company allows members to easily shop for and purchase high-quality term life insurance. The process is simplified, and the rates are exclusively available to Costco members, helping you protect your family’s financial future affordably. It is never too late to be safe, so give them a try and use your Costco membership to get a discount!
8. Price adjustments
Indeed, Costco does make price adjustments if you are a member, but only in certain cases. This is a fantastic perk for online shoppers that can save you from the frustration of seeing an item you just bought go on sale a week later. It ensures you always get the best possible price on your Costco.com purchases.
If you have made use of their online shop and noticed that one or more of the items you have bought online have gone on sale in the next 30 days since you have purchased them, then you can request the price adjustment. Costco will then give you the cash back on the difference with no issue. The process is remarkably simple: you just fill out a short form on their website with your order details and the new, lower price. There’s no need to call customer service or wait on hold.
For example, if you purchase a new vacuum cleaner for $299.99 on Costco.com and see it listed for $249.99 two weeks later, you can request and receive a $50 credit. It pays to keep an eye on prices for a few weeks after making a significant online purchase.
However, note that it does not work the same for other Costco prices. It is crucial to understand the limitations of this policy to avoid any confusion. This perk is exclusively for items purchased on Costco.com and is not available for items bought in the physical warehouses.
Price adjustments are something specifically done for their online store for their members, and the store will not do the same for the items purchased in the warehouse or if you find the products cheaper at other stores. Costco does not price match with competitors like Target or Amazon, nor do they adjust the price of an in-warehouse purchase if it goes on sale later. This policy is strictly for the online shopping experience.
9. Problems with Costco-purchased electronics? Free tech support!
Costco seems to sell anything under the sun, but one of their best deals comes in the form of electronics. You can end up getting pretty good deals on a lot of electronics in their store, and the amazing prices are not the only great perks about them. Beyond the competitive pricing and the generous 90-day return policy, Costco adds another incredible layer of value: free, lifelong tech support.
Costco will offer free tech support for any electronic device that you have purchased from their store. This includes laptops, TVs, home and kitchen appliances, cameras, and many others! This service, known as Costco Concierge, is a lifesaver. No need to shop around for good service shops for your devices; Costco’s got your back when you purchase them from their stores! Whether you’re struggling to set up your new smart TV, connect your printer to Wi-Fi, or troubleshoot an issue with your new tablet, their team is there to help.
This service is available for the lifetime of the product, which is an extraordinary benefit. It saves you from the frustration of trying to navigate a manufacturer’s complicated support system or paying for a third-party tech service. Often, this Concierge service is also bundled with a free extended manufacturer’s warranty, automatically giving you two years of coverage on most electronics.
If you notice any problems with the devices, you can call their tech support line between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. Pacific time to request help, and they will also service the device if it is faulty for members! The expert technicians can walk you through troubleshooting steps over the phone and will help coordinate repairs if the issue is covered under warranty. It provides immense peace of mind, especially when making a major electronics purchase.
If you want to see if the membership is worth it, we recommend you get the membership and then write the prices in a grocery notebook for everything over two or three months. Diligently track what you spend on your most common purchases at Costco versus your regular grocery or big-box store. Include not just groceries but gas, household goods, and any larger purchases. The numbers will quickly reveal the true savings. Then you can see if it is worth it for you, and if it is not, then perk No. 5 is there for you! The risk-free membership guarantee means you have absolutely nothing to lose by giving it a thorough test run.
Costco is indeed one of those stores that deserves the hype around it. There are simply so many items that are worth getting at this warehouse store, and in time, with all the discounts, the membership ends up paying for itself, so it’s like you have never even spent the money! When you factor in the in-store savings on high-quality goods and then add the value from these lesser-known perks—like travel discounts, car buying services, and free tech support—the annual fee starts to look like one of the best bargains around. The deals are so good here that even our Canadian neighbors are crossing the border for Costco! It’s a testament to the powerful value proposition that people will travel internationally just to shop. Don’t believe us? Check out all the products that drive people crazy for them here!
