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 — membership cards are scanned at the entrance.
However, if you want to browse or shop without a membership, you have a few options:
Go with a friend who has a membership – they are allowed to bring up to 2 guests
Use a Costco Shop Card – these work like gift cards and anyone can use them, regardless of membership status
Shop Costco via Instacart or Uber Eats – just be prepared to pay more than you would as a member
How much does a Costco membership cost?
Costco currently offers two membership tiers:
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 is the right call. At $65 a year, you can shop at all Costco stores worldwide as well as online, and it includes 2 membership cards — one for you and one for another person in your household.
If you're planning on making bigger or more frequent purchases, the Executive Membership is likely worth the upgrade. In addition to all the Gold Star benefits, you'll also get:
A $10 monthly credit on qualifying same-day delivery orders of $150 or more via SameDay.Costco.com or Costco via Instacart (up to $120 back per year — effectively covering the cost of the upgrade)
Executive discounts on select Costco services
Exclusive early shopping hours (see below)
An annual 2% reward on qualified Costco and Costco Travel purchases (up to $1,250 per year)
How much is a Costco Executive Membership?
The Executive Membership costs $130.00 per year. Both the Executive and Gold Star Memberships offer an extra household membership card and are valid at all Costco locations worldwide — the Executive tier just comes with those additional perks on top.
Costco Executive Membership hours
As of September 2025, Costco strictly enforces exclusive early shopping hours for Executive Members. This gives them quieter, earlier access to warehouses before they open to all members:
Regular closing times remain the same for all members: 8:30 p.m. Monday–Friday, and 6:00 p.m. on weekends.
How do you get a Costco membership?
Getting a Costco membership is easy. You have three options:
Online: Go to the Costco website, choose your membership type, and complete the purchase
Phone: Call Member Services at 1-800-774-2678
In-person: Visit the membership desk at any warehouse — they'll take your photo for your ID card on the spot.
How can you downgrade your Costco membership?
If you sign up for the Executive Membership and decide you don't need it, downgrading is straightforward. Simply visit your nearest Costco and head to the membership counter, or call Member Services at 1-800-774-2678.
How do you cancel a Costco membership?
The same process applies for cancellations. You can cancel at any time — just head to your local warehouse and speak with someone at the membership counter, or call Member Services at 1-800-774-2678.
Costco has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you'll receive a full refund on your membership fee.
How many people can be on a Costco membership card?
Both the Gold Star and Executive Memberships allow a maximum of two people per card. One is the Primary Member, and the other (the Household Member) can be anyone in your household who is over 18 years old.
How do you add someone to your Costco membership?
Adding a second member online is simple. As the primary account holder:
Sign in to your Costco account on the Costco website
Head over to Account Details
Add the name of the person you want to add
Is Costco worth it for one person?
That depends on your shopping habits. For people who like to buy in bulk and plan on doing a lot of their shopping at Costco — groceries, home goods, auto services — the membership pays for itself quickly.
If you only pop in every few weeks for a handful of things, it might not be as economical. But at $65 a year, it's still a pretty good deal — and if you try it and aren't happy, you can cancel for a full refund.
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, but there's a catch: non-members are charged a 5% surcharge on most items, and they don't have access to member-only products.
That means a $100 basket becomes $105 without a membership. It can still be cost-effective for very occasional online shopping, but if you're buying regularly, the $65 Gold Star Membership will save you money quickly.
Does Costco offer day passes or visitor passes?
Unfortunately, no. Costco does not offer day passes, visitor passes, or shopping passes. If you want to make a purchase inside a Costco warehouse, you'll need your own membership or to be listed on someone else's.
How do you gift someone with a Costco membership?
There are two ways you can do this:
Head to your local Costco warehouse and purchase a Gift of Membership card at the register
Buy one online at Costco.com
Does Costco offer a student membership?
There's no official Costco student membership, but Costco does offer promotions for new members — including college students. Keep an eye on the Student Beans Costco page for the latest deals and discounts.
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