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For most U.S. shoppers, Gold Star is the better fit unless they expect to spend at least $3,250 a year on purchases that qualify for Executive’s 2% reward, or they will use Executive-only service benefits enough to make up the $65 annual price difference. That $3,250 figure is a calculation from Costco’s reward rate and upgrade fee—not a threshold Costco publishes.
Costco Gold Star vs. Executive at a glance
| Membership | Annual fee | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Star | $65, before applicable sales tax | Warehouse and Costco.com access, plus one household card. |
| Executive | $130 total, before applicable sales tax; this is Gold Star plus a $65 upgrade fee | Gold Star benefits, a 2% reward on qualified purchases up to $1,250, and additional benefits and greater discounts on select Costco Services. |
These are Costco’s current U.S. prices and benefits; terms may differ outside the United States. See Costco’s membership comparison.
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How much eligible spending makes Executive worthwhile?
If you are comparing an upgrade from Gold Star, the relevant extra cost is $65 a year—not Executive’s full $130 fee. At a 2% reward rate, $3,250 in eligible purchases would generate $65: $3,250 × 0.02 = $65. That is the simple break-even before considering service discounts, taxes or other benefits. Costco says the reward is not guaranteed to equal or exceed the upgrade fee.
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Count qualifying purchases, not every dollar your household spends at Costco. Purchases made before upgrading do not qualify, and only purchases by the primary member and the active primary household cardholder count. Use Costco’s current Executive reward terms to check exclusions before estimating.
#1 Best Overall
What purchases do—and do not—earn the reward?
Costco excludes several categories from the 2% reward, including membership fees, gasoline, food court purchases, Costco Shop Cards, postage stamps, various fees and taxes, Costco Services, some third-party transactions, and certain alcohol and prescription purchases in specified states. Pharmacy and over-the-counter purchases generally count only to the extent they are not covered by insurance, subject to Costco’s terms.
The exclusions are detailed and may change. If your spending estimate depends on a particular category, check Costco’s current terms rather than assuming it earns a reward. Refunds on eligible purchases reduce the reward.
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Reward cap and timing
The reward is capped at $1,250 per 12-month period. Costco issues it approximately two months before renewal, so it is not an immediate rebate. The cap and rate are in Costco’s Executive reward terms.
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Gold Star makes sense if…
- Your eligible annual purchases are likely below $3,250.
- You would not use Executive’s select service discounts enough to make up the difference.
- You prefer the lower annual fee and do not want to rely on a reward that arrives near renewal.
Consider Executive if…
- Your eligible purchases are likely to reach or exceed $3,250 after you upgrade.
- You expect to use select Costco Services whose additional discounts have meaningful value to you.
- You have checked who makes the purchases and which categories qualify, rather than basing the estimate on total household Costco spending.
For a rough estimate, total the primary member’s and active primary household cardholder’s expected post-upgrade purchases, then remove excluded categories. Compare 2% of the remainder with the $65 upgrade fee. Treat service savings as a separate benefit based on what you will actually use, not as guaranteed cash.
Rank #3
What happens if the reward or upgrade does not work out?
Costco’s FAQ says the current upgrade-fee refund requires cancellation or downgrade. Under the FAQ’s stated conditions, accrued or issued reward amounts are subtracted from the refund. Check Costco Customer Service’s Executive 2% Reward FAQs for the terms that apply to your situation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Space-Saving Design: Adds extra storage space without taking up cart room, keeping your snacks, phone and small items organized and within reach during shopping trips.
- Perfect Fit: Specifically designed to clip securely onto the latest carts, ensuring a snug, stable fit that won’t wobble while pushing the cart.
- Multi-Functional Storage: Features a tray, cup holder and built-in clip, providing versatile storage for snacks, drinks, phone, membership cards and receipts.Utilizes 3D-printed structural technology.
- Easy to Install: Simple clip-on design, no extra tools needed, just attach it to the cart firmly—takes only seconds to set up and use. Utilizes 3D-printed structural technology.
- Important Note: This is a third-party replacement part, Brand names are used only to indicate Compatible with Costco, This product is not affiliated with or endorsed by any brand owner.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
