Many shoppers are investing in warehouse club memberships to get better deals on essentials like groceries, housewares and clothing. If you are a Costco member or are thinking about becoming a member, you should use the benefits offered to maximize the value you get. Read on to learn about five Costco membership benefits that can save you hundreds of dollars every year.
1. Shop through Costco Next for member-only deals
Some members don’t realize that their membership benefits include access to Costco Next, an online shopping portal with deals from popular retailers. The items you’ll find on Costco Next can’t be found in Costco stores, and right now they include clothing, appliances, pet products, outdoor furniture and more.
2. Save money on moving van rental costs
Are you planning a move soon? If you need to rent a moving truck, you can get a discount at Costco. Costco has partnered with Budget Truck Rental to offer 25% discounts on retail truck rental prices. This membership benefit can help you save money and ensure your upcoming move goes smoothly.
I looked at truck rental prices in the Chicago area to determine how much you can save on these costs. Renting a 26-foot truck from Budget Truck Rental normally costs $39.99 per day, with an additional charge of $0.79 per mile. But with a Costco card, you’ll pay $29.09 daily plus another $0.57 per mile. That’s a savings of at least $10 per day on moving costs.
3. Find insurance discounts
Did you know that your Costco membership can unlock insurance discounts? Whether you’re looking for new home or car insurance or want to compare rates to see if it’s best to switch insurers, see if you can get a deal with your Costco card.
Costco partners with select insurance companies to offer members discounts on home, auto, life and pet insurance in most states. According to Costco, members reported saving nearly $600 on average when they switched their auto insurance coverage to one of its partners, CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance.
4. Add an additional driver for free on eligible car rental bookings
When making travel arrangements through Costco Travel, members can enjoy plentiful discounts. But that is not everything. For eligible car rental bookings, you can add an additional driver to your reservation for free.
When you use your Costco membership benefits to rent a car from Alamo or Enterprise, the additional driver fee is waived for rentals in the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Ireland and Spain. The fees are also waived for Avis and Budget for car rental bookings in the US.
Additional driver fees cost about $13 to $15 per driver per day, so the savings can be significant, especially if you’re planning a long road trip.
5. Score discounts on gift cards from popular retailers
Before you buy gift cards for yourself or your loved ones, check to see if Costco sells gift cards from your favorite stores. The Warehouse Club sells discounted gift cards to numerous popular brands and experiences, including restaurants, airlines, movie theaters, sporting events and more.
You can save even more money by purchasing select gift cards during the sale. Keep an eye out for the opportunity to earn additional gift cards during the holidays.
Get the most out of your Costco card
Take advantage of the valuable benefits included with your Costco membership. The above benefits are just a few of the benefits available to members. If you’re new to Costco, check out our ultimate Costco guide to stretch your dollar even further.
Here’s one last tip: Consider using a credit card that earns rewards when paying for your next Costco flight. You can redeem your rewards for cash back or a statement credit to save even more money. Check out our list of the best credit cards for Costco shoppers.
Top Credit Card to Use at Costco (and Everywhere Else!)
If you shop with a debit card, you could be missing out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year. These versatile credit cards offer huge rewards everywhere, including at Costco, and are rated by our experts as the best cards of 2024 because they offer hefty sign-up bonuses and excellent cash rewards. Plus, you’ll save on credit card interest because all of these recommendations include a competitive 0% interest period.
Click here to read our expert recommendations for free!
We strongly believe in the Golden Rule. Therefore, editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved or endorsed by the included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offerings on the market. The Ascent’s editorial content is separate from The Motley Fool’s editorial content and is created by a different analyst team. Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool holds positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
5 Costco Perks You’re Not Abusing, But Should Have, originally published by The Motley Fool
