Everything requires a membership fee these days, it seems, from warehouse stores to video games and from gyms to streaming TV and music services. But if the membership pays for itself, then you’re in good shape.
A Costco membership currently begins at $65 a year, and depending on what you buy, you can save enough money to cover that cost before that year is up.
I’m a fan of the store and veteran of more than two decades of shopping there. I’ve even brought friends along to help them decide if they want to become members, giving them a peek at items that can help offset that yearly membership fee.
Do note that regional variations in pricing are to be expected, so the savings may be more or less depending on where you normally shop. Sales can affect prices too. And while we’re citing online prices here, Costco often charges more for the same item when purchased online versus in a warehouse. So shopping in person could save you even more.
Here are ways that you can save at least enough money at Costco to cover the cost of a membership.
1. Gift cards
Costco doesn’t sell as many types of gift cards as your local grocery store, but it tends to offer the ones it does sell at discounted prices.
You’ll pay just $80 for a two-pack of $50 Dave & Buster’s gift cards. Triple your purchase, and you’ve saved $60 and nearly recovered all of your membership fee.
Restaurant gift cards are discounted at Costco, too.
If you’re a fan of the Landry’s restaurant chains — which include Landry’s Seafood House, Morton’s, Rainforest Cafe and Bubba Gump, among others — you can buy $100 worth of gift cards for $80, which covers a portion of Costco membership fees and delivers some tasty meals and memories.
Costco also carries discounted gift cards for movie tickets, live events, theme parks, sports tickets and more.
2. Diapers
Is there a baby in your life? Costco sells a pack of 148 Huggies Plus diapers for $35. My Target wants $45 for the same brand and a smaller count.
Yes, you’d have to buy multiple packages for the savings to equal your membership fee, but if there’s a baby in the home, you can never have too many diapers.
You’ll also find plenty of baby supplies, from monitors and furniture to strollers, car seats, formula and more.
3. Gas
Long lines seem to be a regular feature at Costco gas stations, with members patiently waiting to save on filling their tanks. That’s because Costco typically sells gas for less compared with nearby competitors, and members can even check gas prices at their local warehouse ahead of time through the Costco app.
According to Kiplinger, Costco’s discounts on fuel range from about 5 cents to 25 cents per gallon, depending on location. If you saved 13 cents per gallon on just under 500 gallons of gas per year, you’d make back your Costco membership fee.
Costco has also made fueling up more convenient by extending the operating hours of its gas stations by an hour or more.
4. Appliances
You may not think of major appliances when you think of Costco, but if you’re in need of one, price out the Costco offerings before you buy.
Appliances at Costco are priced competitively, and you can find brands like LG, Samsung, KitchenAid and Whirlpool. You can spot cheaper prices on the same models you’d find at big-box retailers like Best Buy or Home Depot.
The warehouse giant often runs deals where members can save hundreds of dollars on purchases, and savings increase with spending.
Plus, Costco includes a two-year warranty, free delivery and other perks with the purchase of certain types of appliances, saving you even more. See “8 Little-Known Benefits of Buying Appliances at Costco.”
5. Tire services
The tires on your vehicle need to be regularly rotated and balanced to ensure even wear. But you could pay anywhere from $49 to $72 to have your tires rotated and from $37 to $55 for balancing.
Buy your tires at Costco, and you’ll get those services free for the life of the tires, plus Costco’s tire center will check and adjust tire pressure and fix flats, when possible, also for free.
These tire services are just one of the “8 Things Costco Members Can Get for Free.”
6. Disney vacation
Want to take the family to Disney World? Check out Costco’s prices before you pack the Mickey Mouse ears.
In one example, a package saves you $360 on an independently owned hotel near Disney World, including a five-night stay for the price of four, transportation to the four Disney World theme parks, waived daily resort fees and other perks.
That’s a major savings on a family vacation, and it more than covers your annual Costco membership fee.
And it’s not just Disney World. You can find savings on other theme parks, plus guided tours, European vacations, safaris and more.
7. Allergy medicine
Allergies don’t have to ruin an otherwise wonderful day.
One bottle of 365 10-mg tablets of Costco’s Kirkland Signature Aller-Tec (a generic version of Zyrtec) is regularly priced at $15. The equivalent product from CVS Health’s house brand retails for $59.
While that savings of $44 won’t cover the whole cost of a membership, it can add up if you take more than one tablet per day, or if more than one person in your household uses the medication.
8. Vanilla extract
When exactly did vanilla extract get so expensive? You’d think that it’s liquid gold you’re pouring into those cookie recipes.
Two 8-ounce bottles of pure vanilla extract cost $54 at Costco, while just 4 ounces from the Nielsen-Massey brand would cost $28 on Amazon. You’d have to pay $112 to get the same amount.
This savings of $58 doesn’t quite add up to an annual membership fee, but frequent bakers might go through enough vanilla in a year to cover the membership cost.
You can also find great deals on baking and pantry staples that will help you save all year long, like maple syrup, extra virgin olive oil, peanut butter and much more.
9. Contact lenses and eyeglasses
If you wear corrective lenses, you may want to compare costs with Costco Optical, where you can purchase single-vision lenses with UV filter, anti-reflective treatment and a scratch-resistant coating.
One recent analysis found Costco’s prescription eyeglasses prices run 53% lower than the average optical retailer.
Contact lenses are also available at Costco Optical, with prices as much as 20% to 35% below competitors. You can find brands like Infuse, Biotrue, Ultra and Acuvue in daily, weekly and monthly options for single vision or multifocal correction.
For frequent glasses or contact lens wearers, the savings on lenses alone can offset the cost of a membership.
10. Electronics
If you’re in the market for a new TV, laptop or tablet, comparison shop your favorite brands at Costco. You can often find instant savings on top brand names, including Apple, Samsung and Dell.
Plus, Costco offers free extended warranties on items like computers, which come with a two-year warranty (tablets excluded), and TVs, which come with up to a five-year warranty.
And if you have old devices, you can trade them in for a Costco gift card, with some laptops paying as much as $4,275. Learn more in “Costco Will Give You Free Groceries for Your Old Electronics.”
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