Costco Membership Cost in 2026: Gold Star vs. Executive, the 2% Reward and Current Deals

Costco sells three US memberships: Gold Star, Business and Executive. The first two cost the same; Executive costs twice as much and pays you back through a 2% Reward and a few extra perks. Here is what each one costs, when Executive is worth it and how to get the most out of it.

Based on Costco’s Join, Membership, Executive Rewards and Member Privileges pages on costco.com, Costco’s July 10, 2024 press release and its fiscal 2025 Form 10-K, checked Sep 29, 2026. Promotions change often.

How much is a Costco membership in 2026?

The household card goes to one person who is 16 or older and lives at the same address. The membership runs for 12 months from the day you join, and your card works at any Costco warehouse worldwide and isn’t transferable. Costco limits each person to one Gold Star and one Business membership.

When did Costco last raise its membership fee?

Costco announced its latest increase on July 10, 2024, and it took effect on September 1, 2024. Gold Star, Business and Business add-on fees rose by $5 to $65, Executive rose from $120 to $130, and the maximum 2% Reward went from $1,000 to $1,250. CBS News and CNN reported it as Costco’s first fee increase in seven years. Costco’s join page still listed $65 and $130 when we checked. Renewals are charged at the fee in effect on the day you pay.

Is the Costco Executive membership worth it?

It depends on how much you spend. The upgrade costs an extra $65 a year, and Costco’s own reward table shows where it breaks even:

Only qualified purchases count, and the list of exclusions is long. In the US, the 2% isn’t calculated on:

• Gasoline, cigarettes and tobacco, Costco Shop Cards, postage stamps and food court purchases.
• Cellphones, cellphone accessories and cellphone service plans.
• Alcohol in certain states (Costco names 24, including California, Texas, Georgia, Michigan and Ohio) and prescriptions in certain states (including Arkansas, New Jersey and New York).
• Membership fees, sales tax, shipping, deposits and other fees.
• Most services and purchases on websites not hosted by Costco, even if you reach them through Costco.com.

The Reward is about 2% of pre-tax purchases, minus refunds. Only purchases by the Primary member and the Primary’s household cardholder count. Anything you bought before upgrading doesn’t count, and Costco says the Reward “is not guaranteed to be equal to or greater than the Executive upgrade fee paid.”

Costco Executive membership perks beyond the 2%

• Early shopping hours: warehouses open only for Executive members Monday–Friday 9–10 a.m., Saturday 9–9:30 a.m. and Sunday 9–10 a.m.
• $10 monthly Same-Day credit: one $10 credit each month on an order of $150 or more on SameDay.Costco.com or Costco on Instacart, with your Executive membership linked. Unused credits don’t roll over.
• Costco Travel: extra Executive benefits on select travel packages.
• Costco Services: added value on the Costco Auto Program, extra savings on FIGO pet insurance and discounts on PODS moving and storage.

How the 2% Reward is paid and where you can use it

1. It arrives before renewal. Costco issues the Reward about three months before your renewal date, in your Renewal Statement, mailed to the Primary member. Rewards under $1 aren’t sent.
2. You must still be a paid Executive member at the end of the membership year to receive it.
3. Spend it in a warehouse. Use it at the regular front-end registers, not at self-checkout. It can’t be used at gas stations, food courts or on Costco.com, isn’t redeemable for cash and won’t be replaced if lost.

Costco membership deals: what’s official right now

At the time we checked (Sep 29, 2026), Costco’s join page offered:

• A Digital Costco Shop Card for new members: $40 with Executive or $20 with Gold Star. To get it, you must set up auto renewal on a Visa credit or debit card or a Mastercard debit card when you sign up. It’s only for people who haven’t been a Costco member in any capacity in the last 18 months. It isn’t valid on upgrades or renewals, and it’s emailed within 2 weeks.
• A $65 Digital Costco Shop Card when you apply and are approved for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi with a new Executive membership.
• Group offers for college students, teachers and faculty, health workers, first responders, government employees and military. Their terms are on the linked sign-up pages.

What is a Costco Business Center, and can you shop there?

A Costco Business Center is a warehouse built for businesses, but in Costco’s words it’s “open to all Costco members.” Gold Star members can shop there too. More than 60% of the items are different from a typical Costco: foodservice supplies, snacks packaged for resale, janitorial and office products. Costco’s annual report describes them as carrying “items tailored for food services, convenience stores and offices,” with walk-in shopping and delivery. Costco’s company page lists hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and locations in select US metro areas. Check your nearest location on costcobusinessdelivery.com, since hours can differ.

What every Costco membership includes

• A 100% satisfaction guarantee on your membership and merchandise (see our Costco return policy guide).
• Member-only fuel prices at more than 750 Costco gas stations worldwide, tire installation with a 5-year road hazard warranty, and access to Costco Travel.
• An extended 2-year warranty on major appliances, TVs and computers through Costco Technical & Warranty Services.
• Up to two guests in the warehouse, although only members can buy. Nonmembers can use a Costco Shop Card for certain purchases, but only members can buy or reload one. Nonmembers who buy on Costco.com pay 5% more.

Costco warehouses accept Visa cards, debit/ATM cards, cash, checks, EBT and Costco Shop Cards. Costco.com accepts Visa, Mastercard, debit/ATM cards and Costco Shop Cards.

How to join, upgrade, renew or cancel

1. Join on costco.com’s Join Costco page, where the sign-up promotions are marked as available online only.
2. Upgrade to Executive at the membership counter. You pay a prorated part of the $65 for the months left, then $130 at your next renewal.
3. Renew by mail, online or in a warehouse. With auto renewal, your card is charged on the first day of your renewal month. If you renew within 2 months of expiring, the new year counts from the old expiration date.
4. Cancel anytime for a full refund of the fee if you’re dissatisfied. To stop auto renewal, cancel at least 72 hours before the first day of your renewal month. Executive members who downgrade or cancel have any 2% Reward subtracted from the refund of the upgrade fee.