Is a Costco Membership Worth It? Membership Types, Prices, & Day Passes
- Danielle Slauter
- Feb 9
- 6 min read
There's something magical about Costco.
As far as warehouse stores go, Costco is on a whole other level. If you've ever thought about purchasing a membership for yourself, we're here to give you all the details.
No matter what your question is, we (probably) have the answer. Here's everything you'll need to know about signing up for a Costco membership:
In this article:
Do you need a membership at Costco?
If you're planning on shopping at a Costco warehouse, a membership is required as membership cards are scanned at the entrance of the warehouses.
However, if you just want to browse the store and see what it has to offer without a membership card, you can in the following ways:
Go with a friend who has a membership – they are allowed up to 2 guests
Use a Costco Shop Card – these are like Costco gift cards and anyone can use them regardless of their membership passes
Shop Costco via Instacart or Uber Eats – be prepared to pay more than you would if you were a Costco member
How much does a Costco membership cost?
Costco currently offers two membership options, each at a different price and with various benefits. They are listed as follows:
Executive Membership: $130.00 per year
Gold Star Membership: $65.00 per year
Which Costco membership is best?
It depends on what you want to get out of your membership. For most people, the Gold Star Membership will likely be the right decision. With this, you can shop at all Costco stores worldwide as well as online, and it includes 2 membership cards; one for you and someone else in your household.
If you're planning on making some serious purchases or getting some more expensive items, then the Executive Membership at Costco might be worth it. As well as the benefits mentioned above, you'll also get $10 monthly credit on SameDay.Costco.com or Costco via Instacart, and executive discounts on select Costco services.
How much is a Costco Executive Membership?
As we stated above, the Costco Executive Membership will set you back $130.00 per year.
While both the Executive and Gold Star Membership offer an extra membership card and are valid at all Costco locations worldwide, the Executive Membership does have some additional perks include:
Annual 2% reward on qualified Costco and Costco travel purchases up to $1,250
Executive member shopping hours
Costco Executive Membership hours
As of 2025, Costco has re-introduced exclusive, hours for Executive Membership holders, giving them early, quieter access to their warehouses. These shopping hours are as follows:
Days | Time |
Monday - Friday | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. |
Saturday | 9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. |
Sunday | 9 a.m. – 10 a.m |
Most Costco hours are the same across the country, allowing all members to shop from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
How do you get a Costco membership?
Getting a Costco membership is an easy and straightforward process. There are a few ways you can do this;
Online: You can sign up online by going to the Costco website, selecting the type of membership you want, and completing your purchase online.
Phone: You can call Member Services on 1-800-774-2678 to sign up.
In-person: You can go to the membership desk in any warehouse, provide your information and pay the fee. You'll need a picture for your ID which they can also take here.
Regardless if you sign up via online or phone - you will need to head into your nearest Costco store to get your membership card. Just remember to bring a valid photo ID.
How can you downgrade your Costco membership?
If you decide to get the Executive Membership and end up not needing it, it's easy to downgrade.
Simply visit your nearest Costco and head over to the membership counter, or you can also call Member Services at 1-800-774-2678.
How do you cancel a Costco membership?
The same rules apply if you're trying to cancel your Costco Membership. Cancellations can happen at any time – just head to your local warehouse and talk to someone at the membership counter, or call Member Services at 1-800-774-2678.
You'll also receive a full refund on your membership since Costco has a 100% satisfaction guarantee policy.
How many people can be on a Costco membership card?
Both the regular Gold Star Membership and Executive Membership allow a maximum of two people per membership card. One is the Primary Member, and the other (the Household Member) can be someone within your household who is over 18 years old.
How do you add someone to your Costco membership?
Adding your second member to your Costco membership is easy. Here are the steps you'll need to take (assuming you're the primary member) to do this online:
Sign in to your Costco account on the Costco website
Head over to Account Details
Add the name of the person you wish to add to your account
Once that person is added, they can head over to Costco to pick up their membership card, no problem. If you decide to do this in person (which is recommended), both the primary and prospective household member will need to go to the warehouse, provide their valid photo IDs and proof they live at the same address.
Once this is confirmed, a photo of the household member will be taken for their card, and the card wil be provided instantly.
Is Costco worth it for one person?
That depends on how much shopping you plan on doing there. For people who like to buy in bulk and plan on doing all of their shopping at Costco (groceries, home goods, even auto services), the membership will quickly pay for itself.
However, if you only plan on going there every couple of weeks to grab a few odds and ends, a Costco membership might not be the most economical option. But considering it's only $65 per year, that's still a pretty good bargain.
How to shop at Costco without a membership
The only way to shop at Costco without a membership is to shop online. Costco.com is open to everyone, although there is a downside to shopping with them online if you're not a member.
Non-members will be charged a 5% surcharge for most items they buy online, and they also don't have access to member-only items.. So if you're planning on shopping at Costco online without a membership, tread carefully! You don't want your bill to skyrocket.
Does Costco offer day passes or visitor passes?
Unfortunately, Costco does not offer day passes, visitor passes, or shopping passes. If you plan on making a purchase when at a Costco warehouse, you must have a membership or be on someone else's membership plan.
How do you gift someone with a Costco membership?
Did you know you can give the gift of a Costco membership? There are two ways you can do this:
Go to your local Costco warehouse and simply purchase a Gift of Membership' at the register
Purchase it online
The recipient will need to bring their Gift of Membership gift card to their local Costco to redeem it. The membership starts once the recipient redeems it (not from the purchase date). If recipient is already a Gold Star member, they can use this to upgrade to an Executive membership, or to renew an existing membership.
Does Costco offer a student membership?
Whilst there's no official Costco student membership, they do offer promotions for new members including college students. Keep an eye out on our Costco page for new discounts.
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