Both Costco membership tiers include warehouse and online shopping, access to Costco Business Centers and several member services, and one eligible household card. In the U.S., Gold Star costs $65 a year and Executive costs $130, plus applicable tax. Executive adds a 2% reward on qualifying purchases and extra benefits on selected services and travel—but exclusions mean it does not apply to all spending.
What Costco membership includes
Costco’s current U.S. membership comparison lists these benefits for both Gold Star and Executive members:
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- Shopping at Costco warehouses and Costco.com.
- Access to Costco Business Centers, pharmacies, optical departments, hearing aid centers, and gas stations.
- One free household card, subject to Costco’s eligibility rules.
Costco lists both tiers for use at its locations worldwide, but the fees and reward details below are from U.S. pages. Local availability, service participation, and terms can differ. Confirm details with the local Costco before relying on a particular service or offer. Costco membership options
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesGold Star vs. Executive: price and benefits
| Benefit | Gold Star | Executive |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee in the U.S. | $65, plus applicable tax | $130, plus applicable tax |
| Warehouse and Costco.com shopping | Included | Included |
| Business Center, pharmacy, optical, hearing aid center, and gas station access | Included | Included |
| Household card | One free card, subject to eligibility | One free card, subject to eligibility |
| Annual reward | None | 2% on qualifying purchases, capped at $1,250 under the current U.S. membership listing |
| Additional services and travel benefits | Standard access and offers | Additional benefits or discounts on selected Costco Services and Costco Travel; terms vary |
| Membership-fee satisfaction guarantee | Costco says it will refund membership fees if a member is dissatisfied | Same stated guarantee |
Fees and the reward cap can change; check Costco’s current U.S. membership page for the latest listing. The reward is subject to detailed eligibility rules, and service or travel benefits depend on the offer and its terms. Costco Services and Costco Travel
#1 Best Overall
- [Ultra-Lightweight Ear Buds Designed for Small Ears] Each earbud weighs only 3.7g and features a compact, ergonomic in-ear design made especially for small ears. Secure, low-profile, and comfortable for workouts, all-day wear or overnight sleeping.The ultra-slim profile sits flush in your ear with no hard edges poking or rubbing, so you can even sleep on your side without discomfort.
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How to use the included benefits
Shop at a warehouse, online, or a Business Center
Both tiers include shopping at Costco warehouses and Costco.com, as well as access to Costco Business Centers. For account-specific questions about using a membership, consult Costco’s membership guidance; the published comparison does not detail every acceptance procedure.
Check local services before visiting
Membership benefits include access to services such as pharmacy, optical, hearing aid centers, and gas stations. Costco also lists member-exclusive prices at gas stations and selected tire services, but locations, availability, service scope, and charges can vary. Check with the specific location before making a trip or assuming a service is offered.
Rank #2
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How Executive’s 2% reward works
The Executive reward is 2% of qualifying purchases, up to the current listed maximum of $1,250. It is not a rebate on every Costco charge. Costco’s rules limit which people, purchases, and transactions count:
- Only purchases by the primary member and active primary household cardholder count toward the reward.
- Gasoline, membership fees, food court purchases, taxes and fees, some third-party transactions, and other categories are excluded.
- Prescription and alcohol eligibility can vary by state.
- Costco Travel reward accrual applies after travel is completed, requires Executive status when travel begins, and excludes some travel components.
- Purchases made before upgrading to Executive do not become eligible retroactively.
Costco says the primary Executive member can see a current reward estimate after signing in to a Costco.com account. For the complete, changeable rules, check Costco’s Executive 2% Reward FAQ and its explanation of Executive Membership.
Rank #3
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When the reward is issued and where it can be redeemed
Costco says the reward is generally issued about two months before renewal. Its FAQ describes redemption toward most merchandise at U.S. warehouse front-end registers; self-checkout is excluded. The FAQ also describes an online route: use the reward value at a warehouse to buy a Costco Shop Card. Check the current FAQ before relying on a particular redemption method, since terms may change.
Is Executive worth the higher fee?
The listed annual fee difference between Gold Star and Executive is $65 before applicable tax. At a 2% reward rate, $3,250 in qualifying purchases would generate $65—enough to match that fee difference if all counted spending qualifies. This is a calculation from Costco’s listed fees and reward rate, not a Costco-published spending benchmark. It excludes the value of any additional service or travel benefits.
Rank #4
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- Estimate eligible spending. Use purchases that meet Costco’s reward rules, not total household spending. Leave out excluded categories and purchases by people who do not qualify.
- Compare the estimate with the fee difference. Divide the added annual fee by 0.02 to find the qualifying spend needed to match it. Under the current U.S. fees, that is $65 ÷ 0.02 = $3,250.
- Consider other benefits separately. If the reward does not match the added fee, selected service or travel benefits may still matter to you, but their value depends on your use and the offer’s terms.
- Account for upgrade timing. Costco says an upgrade cost may be prorated for the remaining membership term, but spending before the upgrade is not reward-eligible. Ask Costco to confirm the current prorated amount and terms for your account.
Membership refunds
Costco Customer Service’s March 16, 2026 article, “What is an Executive Membership?”, states: “We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and will cancel and refund membership fees at any time if a member is dissatisfied.” Check with Costco about how the guarantee applies to your membership and circumstances. Costco Customer Service: What is an Executive Membership?
Quick Recap
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.
