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

Gas prices are soaring—here’s how save on gas with a Costco membership (1)

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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?

Gas prices are soaring—here’s how save on gas with a Costco membership (2)

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?

Gas prices are soaring—here’s how save on gas with a Costco membership (3)

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?

Gas prices are soaring—here’s how save on gas with a Costco membership (4)

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 it worth getting Costco membership just for gas? ›

Regardless though, AAA estimates that most Americans will fill up their tank anywhere between 45 and 55 times a year on average. So, yes, we can VERIFY that it is worth getting a wholesale membership to save on gas prices. The chart below shows the comparisons for some of the areas we examined.

How much does a Costco membership save you on gas? ›

“You save approximately 20 cents a gallon at Costco over other local vendors,” says David Schwartz, who together with his wife Susan authored “The Joy of Costco”. “That's something we have seen time and time again across the country.”

What is the benefit of getting gas at Costco? ›

Costco gas is offered at a great price

Although the exact amount of savings you'll get varies based on your location and the specific club you're shopping at, you'll typically save around $0.20 per gallon at Costco according to most online reports. Most cars hold between 10.5 and 18.5 gallons of gas.

Why do people like Costco gas so much? ›

The fact that gas is cheaper at Costco doesn't mean it's lower in quality. The company offers Kirkland Signature gasoline, which is formulated to improve vehicle performance and fuel economy. Costco says the gas also reduces emissions, making it better for the environment.

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.

Is the $60 Costco membership worth it? ›

The entry-level cost of joining Costco is $60.00 per year. If paying the 5% surcharge on your purchases is less than $60, it would not make sense for you to join Costco just to avoid it. You'd be better off doing your online shopping as a non-member and paying the slightly higher prices.

Does Costco gas get 2% back? ›

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.

Does Costco give 4 back on gas? ›

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.

Is Costco fuel cheaper? ›

Drivers filling up at Costco will generally save more than £6.50 a tank compared to a supermarket. RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “Drivers who aren't fortunate enough to be members of Costco will no doubt be horrified to see just how cheaply fuel can be sold.

Is Costco Premium gas 91 or 93? ›

A: Regular and ​p​remium ​gasoline, and ​d​iesel at select locations. Gasoline ​octane can vary by state, but at Costco, it's typically 87 octane for Regular and 91 octane for Premium Gasoline.

How to save more on Costco gas? ›

And if you have a vehicle that gets worse-than-average fuel efficiency or if you drive more than the average American, your savings could be even greater. Last but certainly not least, if you use the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi to pay for your gas, you could save even more.

Does Costco make money from gas? ›

The short answer is that unlike pretty much every other retail business that sells gasoline, Costco doesn't care about making money from its gas pumps. In fact, Costco typically sells its gas at a moderate loss. Why would Costco do this? It's not an act of charity.

Is Costco membership worth it for gas? ›

For gas, if you paid an average of $3.50 per gallon for 562 gallons at Costco Gas stations, you'd spend a total of $1,967 each year. At 4% cash back that means $78.68 in savings!! For restaurants, if you eat out 5-6 times a month and spend $300 on dining, that's $3,600 each year.

How to get huge discounts on gas? ›

Here are six ways to save on the cost of gasoline:
  1. Use cash.
  2. Use a rewards program or credit card.
  3. Check your tire pressure.
  4. Use a gas-tracking app.
  5. Purchase a club membership.
  6. Buy gas at the right time of day.

Is it worth driving to Costco for gas? ›

Costco is known for its cheap products, including gas. Getting gas at Costo may not be worth the savings based on a number of factors. Costco's notoriously long wait times, inconvenient locations, mandatory credit card use, and membership fee may not be worth the price.

How much do you need to spend at Costco to make a membership worth it? ›

But if your annual spend regularly tops $3,250, you're better off with the Executive Membership. Every additional dollar you spend after $3,250 will bring your annual fee further and further below $65 and end up saving you money in the long run.

Is it cost effective to have a Costco membership? ›

Costco's entry-level membership costs $60 a year. This gets you and a household member a card and access to the warehouse clubs where you can buy discounted gas and consumer goods. To break even for that upfront cost, you must save at least $60 a year -- to end up better off, you'll have to save more than that.

Is Costco fuel just for members? ›

A: The fuel station is open to Costco members only. There is an exception: Costco Shop Card customers do not need to be Costco members. Q: Why does the fuel station traffic flow only one way? A: Costco's approach to fuel is the same as inside the warehouse - high volume and low prices.

How much cheaper is Costco fuel? ›

Drivers filling up at Costco will generally save more than £6.50 a tank compared to a supermarket. RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “Drivers who aren't fortunate enough to be members of Costco will no doubt be horrified to see just how cheaply fuel can be sold.

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