There's no drawback, unless your rebate is less than $60. How much do you spend at Costco? If you travel much, they have good deals on flights, cars, hotels, etc and that 2% adds up quickly. Answer from woodland_dweller on reddit.com
Costco
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What is the difference between each type of membership?
You can find more details on each type of membership and even sign up right here. Please keep in mind that the Costco double guarantee applies to all membership levels.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/costco › costco's executive members ship v. gold star membership, is the upgrade to executive worth it?
r/Costco on Reddit: Costco's Executive Members ship V. Gold Star Membership, is the upgrade to executive worth it?
September 19, 2023 -
Gold Star membership = $60 a year
Executive membership = $120 a year = 2% savings on "qualified" purchases. Plus, additional savings if you use Costco for vacation travel, home + auto insurance, home improvements.
If it's only a $60 difference and it's really worth the savings, why not just everyone upgrades to the executive card and save more money?
Or does the Executive membership have its drawbacks and may not be worth the additional $60 annual cost?
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There's no drawback, unless your rebate is less than $60. How much do you spend at Costco? If you travel much, they have good deals on flights, cars, hotels, etc and that 2% adds up quickly.
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You can always get a refund for your executive membership if you don't buy enough to give you $60 in cash back, so in that sense it makes sense to buy it. But if you know you don't spend enough, or don't want to deal with the hassle of waiting in line to get your refund or deal with a paper check you may lose, sticking with the Gold Star membership is fine.
Videos
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Which Costco Membership Is RIGHT For You?? - YouTube
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Costco Executive Membership 2025: New Perks, Early Access, Worth It?
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Costco Memberships Explained | COSTCO CANADA - YouTube
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Should YOU Upgrade to the Costco Executive Membership? - YouTube
Costco just added a perk for shoppers with an Executive membership: they get to shop earlier than other members of the wholesale store. Here’s more about you need to know about the changes at #Costco . What do you think? | TikTok
RIP to membership mooching off of my family #adulting #adulthood #finalboss #costco #costcomembership #fyp #foryou | TikTok
Business Insider
businessinsider.com › reviews › home reviews › which costco membership is better for you: gold star or executive?
Which Costco membership is better for you: Gold Star or Executive?
April 16, 2024 - When I first joined Costco, I was an Executive member, which costs $120 per year but offers an annual 2% reward on most of your purchases. However, I found I wasn't spending enough to justify the pricier membership. So, I switched to the Gold Star membership ($60 per year). Since everyone is different, I've outlined the pros and cons of the two membership levels to help you make the best decision for your household.
NBC News
nbcnews.com › deals and sales › costco membership: what to know, perks, fees and more
Everything you need to know about Costco memberships, including recently increased fees
November 19, 2025 - Aside from groceries, it also sells clothing, toys, electronics and more. When Costco opened its first store in the 1970s, it initially sold only to small businesses but it expanded to cater to individuals in the 1980s. Yes, you need a membership in order to shop at a Costco.
The Globe and Mail
theglobeandmail.com › investing › markets › markets-news › Motley Fool › 27831941 › entry-level-vs-executive-costco-membership-whats-the-real-difference
Entry Level vs. Executive Costco Membership: What's the Real Difference? - The Globe and Mail
On the March 2024 earnings call, ... Costco membership. What gives? The real difference between the Costco Gold Star and Costco Executive is the 2% reward....
Costco
costco.ca › home › gift cards & tickets
Costco Memberships
Costco Memberships · Showing 1-6 of 6 · List View · Grid View · Filter · Sort by: Grid View · List View · Showing 1-6 of 6 · Delivery Show Out of Stock Items · Sign In For Price · $65.00 Gold Star Membership - New Signup · Includes Free Household Card* Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars based on 2777 reviews.
Groupon
groupon.com › coupons › blog › costco-executive-vs-gold-star-which-saves-more
Costco Executive vs Gold Star: Which Membership Saves More?
Both memberships give you identical warehouse access, bulk buying power, and one free household card for another adult at your address. You'll get the same prices on everything from rotisserie chickens to electronics, plus access to Costco's gas stations and pharmacy services. The real difference?
Yahoo!
yahoo.com › lifestyle › gold-star-vs-executive-costco-174525944.html
Gold Star Vs Executive Costco Memberships: The Difference, Simplified
February 16, 2025 - Both memberships provide the same discount on everyday purchases like groceries, household and garden supplies, clothing, and all the goodies that shoppers love snatching up in bulk quantities, even when Costco shopping as a single person.
Money.ca
money.ca › managing-money › budgeting › is-a-costco-membership-really-worth-it
Is a Costco membership really saving you money — or just taking up space?
July 4, 2025 - If you prefer to shop in bulk, or prefer to make one stop rather than several for the household items you need (ranging from groceries to electronics), a Gold Star Costco membership is a good option for you, and is likely worth the annual investment.
NerdWallet
nerdwallet.com › back to nerdwallet homepage › finance › costco membership cost: gold star, business and executive memberships
How Much Is a Costco Membership? - NerdWallet
September 13, 2023 - Costco membership prices are based on a tiered structure, with different prices for the options.
Yahoo! Finance
finance.yahoo.com › news › costco-membership-prices-comparing-perks-160003729.html
Costco Membership Prices: Comparing the Perks, Fees and More
February 18, 2023 - Costco does not offer free or discounted memberships. This is because membership fees cover the overhead costs of its business, allowing the company to provide products and services at competitively lower prices compared to other retailers.
24/7 Wall St.
247wallst.com › home › costco gold star or executive membership: the pros and cons of each
Costco Gold Star or Executive Membership: The Pros and Cons of Each - 24/7 Wall St.
August 13, 2024 - 2% cashback reward: Costco’s Executive Membership offers members with 2% cashback rewards — up to $1,000 on eligible purchases. Additional benefits: This membership also provides additional benefits the Gold Star Membership doesn’t include, ...
Mashed
mashed.com › 1099011 › here-are-the-differences-between-all-of-the-costco-membership-tiers
Here Are The Differences Between All Of The Costco Membership Tiers - Mashed
November 12, 2022 - The options include the Executive Membership, the Business Membership, and the Gold Star Membership, all of which are listed on the Costco Customer Service page. Each membership includes a total of two cards per household (one card is free) and an annual membership that's valid at all Costo locations worldwide and online, but the specific features of each differ from tier to tier.
BlogTO
blogto.com › city › 2025 › 01 › costco-memberships-cost-around-world-compared-canada-2025
The cost of Costco memberships around the world compared to Canada in 2025
January 15, 2025 - Number of locations: One Corporate: 3,800 Icelandic króna ($38.80 CAD) Membership with a license to resell alcohol: 3,800 Icelandic króna ($38.80 CAD) Annual membership: 4,800 Icelandic króna ($49.01 CAD)
Costco
costco.ca › home › membership conditions & regulations
Membership Conditions & Regulations | Costco
Membership is available to qualifying individuals 16 years of age or older. Costco reserves the right to refuse membership to any applicant and membership may be terminated at Costco’s discretion without cause, as well as for such things as failure to comply with these conditions and regulations or abuse of your membership privileges.
The Globe and Mail
theglobeandmail.com › investing › markets › markets-news › Motley Fool › 28692674 › 3-little-known-perks-of-a-costco-executive-membership
3 Little Known Perks of a Costco Executive Membership - The Globe and Mail
Costco offers two kinds of personal memberships: Gold Star and Executive. The cost difference between them is $65 ($65 for Gold Star and $130 for Executive). But an Executive membership lets you earn 2% back on all qualifying Costco purchases up to a maximum of $1,250 per year.
Costco
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Costco Costco Memberships
Entertainment | Tickets & Gift Certificates | Costco Memberships
Costco
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Executive Gold Star Membership - New Signup | Costco
Your Executive Gold Star Membership is valid for one year at any Costco Wholesale location worldwide, and on Costco.ca. All memberships must be renewed annually. Executive Membership is our highest level of membership.
CNBC
cnbc.com › 2025 › 06 › 11 › costco-announces-new-executive-membership-perk.html
Costco's $130 Executive Membership just got a brand-new perk
June 12, 2025 - The basic Gold Star membership costs $65 for one year, while the premium Executive Membership costs $130.