Costco Executive vs. Gold Star vs. Business Memberships: Differences and Reviews 2025

What is Costco?

Started in Seattle in 1983, Costco is one of America’s most beloved membership warehouse chains.  With more than 830 locations in eight countries and nearly 117 million cardholders, it is also one of the largest membership warehouse chains worldwide. Costco's warehouses present one of the largest and most exclusive product category selections to be found under a single roof. Categories include groceries, candy, appliances, television and media, automotive supplies, tires, toys, hardware, sporting goods, jewelry, watches, cameras, books, housewares, apparel, health and beauty aids, tobacco, furniture, office supplies, office equipment and even prescriptions etc. You need a membership in order to shop at a Costco. Costco is committed to providing members with high-quality products at the lowest price.

Costco Membership Options

There are three types of Costco memberships: Gold Star, Business and Executive, all of which give you access to every Costco location worldwide. The Gold Star and Business memberships are $60 yearly, and the Executive memberships cost $120. The Executive and Gold Star memberships are both personal membership options. There is only one Business option, and you must also be a business owner.

While Costco doesn't provide free memberships, there are new-member promotions for certain groups of people. Teachers, college students, medical professionals, military personnel, government employees and first responders are eligible to receive a $30 digital Costco gift card when they sign up.

1. Gold Star Membership

The Gold Star membership is Costco's basic membership.It is the cheapest option for customers who aren't affiliated with a business. The annual membership fee is $60 and allows access to any Costco worldwide and access its services, including home and auto insurance, deals on vehicles and auto services, bottled water delivery, and Costco gas stations, which often beat competitor stations by 10+ cents per gallon.  The Gold Star membership also includes allowing you to use their pharmacy, optical center, hearing station, and business centers. You get the bare minimum of the perks with this membership. The Gold Star Membership also includes in a Spouse Card for a spouse or family member residing at the same address over the age of 18.

Features:

• $60.00 Annual membership fee;

• Includes a free Household Card;

• Valid at all Costco locations worldwide.

The Business Membership also costs $60 a year, the benefits you can enjoy are b the same as Gold Star Membership. But it is exclusively for business owners to buy products for business, personal and resale use. Same to Gold Star membership, the Business membership comes with two cards total. But Business Members also can add additional cardholders (Affiliates) to their membership account for $60 each per year, which also includes one Household Card per Affiliate. (This is the only membership type that allows you to add additional members) .Business identification (business license, resale certificate,** or three pieces of business ID) is required when applying for a Business Membership. Please bring a copy of your order confirmation email, appropriate documentation and government-issued photo identification to any U.S. Costco membership counter.

Features:

• $60.00 Annual membership fee;

• Includes a free Household Card;

• Add Affiliate Cardholders for $60 each;

• Valid at all Costco locations worldwide;

• Purchase for resale;

• Business Members must provide Costco with the appropriate resale information.
  

3. Executive Membership

The Executive Membership is Costco's highest level of membership. It costs $120 a year and comes with a total of two Household Cards. Except get the same benefits as the basic membership, executive Members can earn an annual 2% Reward (up to $1,000) on qualified Costco, Costco.com and Costco Travel purchases, as well as greater discounts on Costco Services, such as lower prices on check printing and free roadside assistance for vehicles covered through the auto insurance program. Plus,  Executive Memberships also include a subscription to Costco’s Connection magazine. This is all on top of the perks of the Gold Star membership.

Features:

• $120.00 Annual membership fee ($60 membership fee, plus $60 upgrade fee);

• Includes a free Household Card;

• Valid at all Costco locations worldwide;

• Annual 2% Reward on qualified Costco purchases (terms and conditions apply);

• Additional benefits and greater savings on Costco Services;

• Extra benefits on select Costco Travel products.

Join Costco Membership Here!

Costco Executive vs. Gold Star vs. Business Memberships: Full Comparison

Costco Membership Comparison Chart

The Costco Gold Star, Business and Executive Memberships all offer:

1. Access to shopping inside Costco's warehouses;

2. Access to buying products through Costco's website and avoid non-member surcharges;

3. Use of Costco's member services,  including:

• 25-35% off gift cards and tickets (in-store and online);

• Fill up with Costco's gas;

• affordably-priced insurance;
  

• Book exclusive travel deals with Costco Travel (save on vacation packages, car rentals, & more!);

• Get discounted prescriptions at Costco Pharmacy (starting at under $8!);

• Book free hearing tests & follow-up exams at the Costco Hearing Aid Center;

• Save 50% on custom checks with free delivery (Executive members save additional 20%)

• Get discounts on tires and auto services;

• Save at the Costco photo center;

• Low prices at the Food Court (the Costco pizza is amazing);

• and more!
  

Where the Executive Membership really shines is in the extra rewards you can earn below:

1. Earn 2% Rewards on Eligible Purchases

Executive membership holders can earn a 2% reward annually on qualified purchases you make through its warehouses, online and even the trips and bookings you make via Costco Travel.

Pay attention:

1) There is a cap of a $1,000 that you can get back annually, so once you hit that limit you can no longer earn additional rewards on purchases.

2) You don't earn 2% rewards on these purchases: Alcohol (in various states), Auto Purchasing, Battery Fees, Costco Shop Cards/Gift of Membership, Food Court, Gasoline, Home Delivery Services (Delivery Charges, Installation), Membership Fees, Optical Exams, Stamps, Tire Balance & Installation Fees, Tire Disposal Fees, Tobacco, Prescription drug purchases in certain states.

2. Access to Additional Executive Member Savings

Also, in addition to the 2% reward back, the Executive membership gives you more savings on Costco services such as “check printing, identity protection and free roadside assistance for vehicles covered through the auto insurance program.” Plus, you get other perks like glass repair reimbursement and home lockout assistance.

1) Extra savings on checks

Costco offers discounts on checks through its partnership with Harland Clarke Check Printing. While many of the checks are already a little bit cheaper than what competitors charge, Executive members score even more savings. Specifically, Executive members get an extra 20% off of their checks compared to the discount provided to Gold Star members.

2) Exclusive insurance benefits

Costco can help members save on insurance as well, with both home and auto policies offered at a discount by CONNECT powered by American Family Insurance. Costco indicates that members can save an average of $595.86 if they switch their coverage to CONNECT.

While the affordably-priced insurance is available for all Costco members, Executive members get some exclusive perks when they get covered. These benefits open to Executive members include:

• Lifetime renewability of coverage;

• Roadside assistance;

• Reimbursement for glass repairs;

• Lockout assistance if they become locked out of their home.

These benefits could make a huge difference when something goes wrong, but an Executive membership is the only way to take advantage of them.

3. Earn Rewards from Costco Travel

Costco Travel provides the chance to get deals on vacation packages, rental cars, hotels, and other travel-related services. And Gold Star, Business, and Executive members get to take advantage of these bargains so the trips they take will cost them less on their credit cards.But, Costco Executive members get an extra perk that standard members are not able to take advantage of. Specifically, those with an Executive membership can claim their 2% cash back rewards on travel.

4. Other savings on Costco services

Finally, Costco has a long list of bonus services that Executive members can take advantage of including:

• No application or statement fees when you sign up for payment processing for your business through Costco;

• 15% discount and $15 enrollment fee waived for Pet insurance;

• Subscription to the monthly Costco Connection magazine;

• Identity protection for $9 per month (the Gold Star rate is $14 per month).

Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I change my Costco membership from executive to Gold Star?

If you want to downgrade your Costco Executive membership, go to the membership counter at a Costco warehouse.  You'll be able to downgrade there, and you'll also get a refund for the  additional $60 you paid for the Executive membership fee.

2. Is it worth it to get Costco Executive membership?

If you have a big family to feed and care for and spend $6,000 annually, the Executive membership will pay for itself in rewards. It is absolutely worth! Plus, Costco offers Executive members significant savings on a number of business services, including payment processing. If you have this need, it is also worth a try.

3. Do executive members get into Costco early?

There's no longer early store access for Executive members.

4. How do you sign up for a Costco membership?

To sign up, visit the membership desk at any location. You can also sign up online or call Costco's Member Services line at  1-800-774-2678. You'll be asked for your name, date of birth, address, email address and phone number. If you sign up online, you'll also need the confirmation email you get from Costco and a valid government-issued photo ID to receive your membership card in store.

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