I have been a loyal Costco member for many years now! Even back when I was more or less broke while raising 4 growing kids, I still made room in our budget for a Costco membership. The money I saved from buying food in bulk at low prices always exceeded the cost of the membership by a large margin, so it was well worth that upfront cost.
While I'm definitely not buying as much food as I did back in those days, I still get a lot out of my membership. In fact, after all I've learned about the services that Costco offers, I think I probably use it now more than ever! And that brings us around to today's post, because today I'll be sharing 11 of those great lesser-known member benefits.
Related: 7 Surprising Costco Tips You Need To Know About
Before we get started, I wanted to clarify that this post is NOT sponsored by Costco. I'm not associated with Costco in any way (apart from having a membership). The goal of this post is to give you the information you need to get the most value out of your membership, so let's get to it! :-)
One of the Costco membership perks is that they partner with hotel chains, car rental companies, and cruise lines to offer great deals on travel. They find great group discounts and bulk savings and pass the deals onto their members, and they even have travel experts that will work with you to plan your perfect trip. And when you're quoted a price for a travel deal, they include taxes and fees, so there are no surprises when it comes time to pay.
I've had great experiences renting cars through Costco, including for our family vacation to Hawaii back in July. I had gotten a price quote from one of the major rental car companies, but after a friend recommended I look into car rentals through Costco, I was delighted to find that Costco's price was less than half of price I was quoted originally.
Costco members can take advantage of the Member Prescription Program to get discounts on prescription medications. This is a great option for people who are uninsured or don't receive prescription benefits through their health insurance. For more information about their Member Prescription Program, check out the Frequently Asked Questions page.
You can get an eye exam for a competitive price through Costco Optical. (The actual price varies by location, so call the Optical Department at your local Costco for current pricing information.) And every Costco Hearing Aid Center offers hearing tests, follow-up appointments, and check-ups for free.
Buying gift cards at Costco can save you quite a bit of money. It's not unusual to see bulk deals on them, like two $50 gift cards for $79.99 or four $15 gift cards for $44.99. These deals make it affordable to stock up on gift cards to movie theaters, theme parks, performances, activities, and more to have on hand for quick Christmas or birthday gifts.
Costco has partnered with CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, to offer discounted rates on home, auto, renters, and specialty insurance. These policies often offer additional benefits for Executive Members too, like roadside assistance, lockout assistance, and more. Get a free quote for CONNECT insurance policies through Costco at this link.
Many Costco locations have a Fuel Center where members can fill up their cars for a lower price than most gas stations. The fuel is rated as Top Tier, meaning it meets a high quality standard and contains detergents that help keep your engine clean.
Costco members can also take advantage of the Tire Center. They frequently offer discounts and rebates on sets of four new tires, so if you ever need a complete set, make sure to check out what Costco has to offer. Their five-year Road Hazard Warranty is hard to beat, and it's included on all tires they sell.
Costco Concierge Services offer free technical support on any kind of gadget you can buy at Costco. This includes laptops, printers, monitors, home theater systems, tablets, TVs, and even major appliances. For more information on Costco's tech support services, click here.
If I ever need to buy an expensive cut of meat, like our traditional Christmas prime rib for instance, I head to Costco to get it. I know that in terms of quality, I'm always going to get the most bang for my buck from their Meat & Seafood departments, and I've found that the associates are always willing to answer my questions or help me with any requests I have.
(And if you aren't already aware, Costco's $5.99 rotisserie chickens are consistently one of the best deals available in the entire store. It's one of my go-to easy and affordable dinner shortcuts!)
Related: 20 Quick Recipes You Can Make With Rotisserie Chicken
You may have already bought flowers at Costco, but did you know you can get them delivered as well? Prices start at just $42.99, including delivery fees! Check out Costco's floral offerings here.
In addition to clothes from its own Kirkland Signature line, Costco also offers items from notable brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Birkenstock, etc. for surprisingly great prices. Well-known brands like these will bring their unsold merchandise to Costco, who then sells them in stores and online at a more reasonable price point.
Did you know your Costco membership is valid at any Costco around the world? This perk could be especially handy if you're traveling and staying somewhere that has a kitchen you can cook in. While you're there shopping for groceries, you could also check out any discounted gift certificates they have for local restaurants or movie theaters!
The basic membership option is a Gold Star Membership with a $60 annual fee, while the upgraded option, the Executive Membership, has a $120 annual fee. The main difference between these two tiers in terms of member benefits is that Executive Members earn an annual 2% Reward on qualifying Costco purchases, while Gold Star Members don't. Otherwise, the benefits are largely the same!
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What's your favorite Costco service or product?