For the first time in seven years, Costco said it will raise its membership prices. On September 1, the $60 gold-star and $120 executive memberships are set to increase to $65 and $130, respectively.
But even so, I think the pricier executive membership is 100% worth it for my family — especially when it’s paired with the rewards from my Costco store credit card.
Here’s how I stack all the perks to earn hundreds of dollars a year by shopping at Costco.
Both the executive membership and in-store credit card come with great perks
The executive membership comes with a 2% rebate on most in-store and online purchases, and I typically spend about $300 a month at Costco.
The membership rebate is issued three months before the card member’s renewal date and is capped at $1,000 a year.
But the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is my secret weapon for maximizing rewards. Most items purchased in-store or online automatically earn 2% cash back, and gas at eligible stations earns 4% cash back.
Since Costco has the best prices near us, I always fill up there and get the perks.
Dawn Levitt
There’s also a 3% reward on eligible restaurants and travel purchases, plus 1% back on everything else, so I’m always earning.
Citi issues the reward certificate once the February billing statement closes. Just remember that it’s a credit card, and interest will be charged on any balance you carry over. I like to pay the balance in full each month to avoid having my rewards gobbled up by charges.
Plus, the Costco app has so many little-known reward opportunities
One of my favorite Costco deals is its four-pack restaurant gift cards available on the app. I either gift them throughout the year or use them when dining out with my family.
You can purchase $100 gift cards for various restaurants for $75 or $80. The immediate discount is obviously great, and I still get the 2% rebate and 2% cash back.
The Costco app also offers discounts on select online clothing and footwear purchases. It’s a great way for my family to stock up on basics like socks and underwear each year.
For example, this July, members could save $20 on any five to nine eligible items and $50 on any 10 eligible items. But the discount amount can vary monthly, so make sure to download the app and keep an eye out for specials.
Shipping is even included in the price, and my 2% rebate and 2% cash back still apply.
All those rebates and rewards add up — in our case, to hundreds of dollars
Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
For my family, our average $300 monthly trip earns us an annual $72 from executive-membership rebates and $72 in Costco credit card rewards. We also spend about $220 on gas, which gives us another $105 in Citi rewards annually.
All our clothes, shoes, and restaurant gift cards (which have great discounts off the bat) easily net another $50 to $100 in annual rebates and rewards.
Finally, we usually make at least one major purchase each year. For example, last year, we bought a washer and dryer, tires for the car, and my laptop through our Costco membership. That earned us an additional $120 in rebates and rewards.
In total, we earned over $400 last year between our executive membership and Costco store credit card. That easily covered the membership costs plus nearly an entire month of groceries. It’s hard to argue with those savings.