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Sure, there are those dedicated Costco fans who love their weekly trip down those wide, wide aisles. But some of us prefer to shop from afar — and in pajamas.
Happily, you don’t need to spend each weekend in a Costco warehouse to make your membership fee worthwhile. Any of these tips could help you profit from your membership without ever stepping foot in a Costco store.
1. Score online deals on big-ticket items
Before I make any large purchase on a big-ticket item, I always check Costco’s website to see if I can get a better deal. This goes for everything from electronics to small appliances and even to outdoor furniture.
Just a few months ago, we saved more than $150 on a new drone by buying it through Costco. That single purchase netted us enough savings to completely cover the cost of our Costco membership — and then some. All from the comfort of home.
Pro tip: Costco has a generous return policy overall, but some larger items, like TVs, cameras, and major appliances, have more specific return conditions (such as a 90-day return window). Be sure to make note of the return terms for your item before making your purchase.
2. Use Costco Next to get discounts on popular brands
Even if Costco itself doesn’t have a deal on what you need, you could still find great discounts through Costco Next. This is Costco’s partner shopping portal. In it, you’ll find dozens of brands, from large to niche, including Anker, Nomatic, and DiamondBack.
When you choose a brand, you’ll be taken to that retailer’s website, though it’s a special section just for Costco members. There, you’ll be able to shop the retailer’s offerings with exclusive Costco member discounts.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to log into your Costco account to get the deals, but you’re not buying these items from Costco. You’ll deal entirely with the partner retailer for buying, shipping, and any customer service issues.
3. Stock up on discounted gift cards on Costco.com
A really easy way to get good use of your Costco membership is to simply stock up on discount gift cards. Costco’s website has dozens of gift cards for all kinds of popular brands, including restaurants, movie theaters, and even airlines.
Discounts vary by brand and gift card, but they’re typically between 15% and 20% off the face value. For instance, right now you can get:
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$500 Southwest Airlines gift card for $449.99
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$100 Instacart gift card for $79.99
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$50 Cinemark gift card for $39.99
Just a handful of gift card purchases could make up the cost of your membership, plus give you a more frugal date night!
4. Save hundreds on your next vacation through Costco Travel
If you really want to get back your membership cost in one go, Costco Travel could be the easiest way to do it. Think of Costco Travel like your online travel agency. (In fact, that’s how the purchase will code with most travel rewards cards.)
You can book your flights, hotel, and rental car all in one shot — and all for a discount. When I evaluated several trips on Costco Travel vs. booking direct, I found you could get at least 7% off a trip. (And in that case, 7% was equal to around $500!) At the high end, the best deal was a 15% discount.
Pro tip: If you’re going to use Costco Travel to book a big vacation, consider upgrading your Costco membership to the Executive membership. Executive members get a 2% annual Costco Reward, and Costco Travel purchases count toward that Reward.
RELATED: The #1 Strategy for Saving Money at Costco
Great deals (even without pants)
We talk all the time about how great Costco is for your budget when you take advantage of the warehouse deals on bulk items. But ideally these tips show you can still get great value out of your Costco membership even if you’d rather shop at home (and in pajamas) than fight the Costco crowds.
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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Brittney Myers has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale and JPMorgan Chase. The Motley Fool recommends Southwest Airlines. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.