How to Use Your Costco Executive Membership Benefits

Key insights:

• Costco Executive Membership offers all the benefits of a Gold Star Membership, plus additional perks like an annual 2% Reward (up to $1,250)¹, service discounts and more
• A Costco Executive Membership costs $130/year, compared to $65/year for a Gold Star Membership
• Citi's Costco Anywhere Visa^® can help Executive Members earn even more cash back when they shop at Costco

Costco member savings on everything from groceries to electronics is a key reason the warehouse retailer is so beloved, but Executive Membership offers more than just great deals. If you're considering joining Costco or upgrading from a Gold Star Membership, it's important to know how to make the most of a Costco Executive Membership.

Costco Executive Membership benefits

Upgrading from a regular Gold Star Membership to a Costco Executive Membership offers several key perks:

• Annual 2% reward
• Early shopping hours
• $10 monthly credit on same-day delivery
• Additional value on Costco Travel
• Executive-only service benefits
• Subscription to the Costco Connection magazine

Earn more rewards with the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi

From the day you first use your Executive Membership, your qualified purchases start building toward your annual 2% reward. Each year, you can earn up to $1,250 on qualified purchases at Costco warehouses, Costco.com and CostcoTravel.com. Most purchases qualify, although key exclusions include gas, tobacco, select services and membership fees.

With the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi, you can earn even more cash back when you shop, including on otherwise excluded Executive Membership categories. Executive Members can earn:

• 5% back on gas at Costco and 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging. The 5% and 4% earn is on a combined $7,000 spend per year, and then 1% thereafter.
• 3% on restaurants and eligible travel, including Costco Travel
• 2% on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
• 1% on all other purchases²

When Executive Members shop with the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi, they rack up more rewards. You can apply online in just a few minutes and maximize one of the most significant Costco membership perks.

Save on Costco services

Your Executive Membership includes more than just the 2% reward. All Costco members have access to a wide variety of services for both home and business. Costco Executive Members earn additional discounts and benefits, including:

• The Costco Auto Program: The Costco Auto Program skips the irritating process of haggling for a new or used vehicle by providing prearranged Member-only pricing, along with eligible manufacturer incentives.
• Bottled water delivery: Costco members get exclusive pricing on water delivery through Primo Water. Whether you want purified or alkaline water, you have options for your home or business.
• Savings on payment processing: Executive Members can waive application and statement fees while saving an average of $2,032 per year³ through Elavon payment processing services if they process credit card payments for a business.
• Auto and home insurance: Costco members could receive exclusive discounts on auto and home insurance when they sign up for CONNECT.⁴
• Pet insurance: Members may be eligible for an exclusive discount on pet insurance from Figo Pet Insurance.

Get extra benefits for Costco Travel products

Costco Travel is available to both Gold Star and Executive Members, but only Executive Members will earn the annual 2% reward for qualified travel purchases. Additionally, they can earn exclusive extras on eligible travel packages. Services include hotel booking, car rentals, cruises and vacation packages.

Apply for the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi

Available exclusively to Costco members, the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi can help Executive Members earn even more cash back. Start maximizing your Costco Executive Membership today with the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi.

¹Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. See the membership counter or Costco.com for details.

²Additional information

³Estimated savings are calculated on annual processing rates and are based on Elavon's analysis of The Strawhecker Group’s industry data survey in payment processing services as of December 2025 on net revenue from merchants of a similar size and type compared to the portfolio. Actual savings will depend on business type, card type, and manner of card acceptance and volume of transactions. Non-Executive Members pay an Application Fee and Monthly Statement Fees. Services provided by Elavon.

⁴Services are provided to Costco members by third parties.

Plans and insurance services are offered by licensed third party providers and made available through Costco Insurance Agency, Inc. (CIA), a licensed insurance agent, which may receive compensation from third party providers and/or their affiliates. Costco Insurance Agency, Inc. is not licensed in New York state. Insurance products are not obtained through the Costco Insurance Agency in New York. Costco Insurance Agency, Inc.’s California license number is 0D08407. Costco Wholesale, Costco Insurance Agency, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not underwrite insurance, pay claims or guarantee any of the products or services offered by third parties. Specific products, features, rates and discounts may vary and may not be available in all states in accordance with state filings and applicable law.

Disclosure: This article is for educational purposes. It is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and is not a substitute for professional advice. It does not indicate the availability of any Citi product or service. For advice about your specific circumstances, you should consult a qualified professional.