Any discounts on Costco membership?

[KristinU]

We're BJ's members, but visited Costco with my mom (who is a member) when she was visiting a couple of weeks ago. We really liked their selection and would like to become members even though it is further away from home. Anyone know of any deals or discounts on membership?

 

[Swimalie]

I have never seen them and I've been a member for 10 years. The only "deals" are they have are if you get their American Express card, it is free with your membership and you get percentages back based on what you buy. Also, if you become an Executive membership for $100, you get 2% back on everything you buy there (except gas and prescriptions, I think).

 

[mcorbo]

They do offer discounted memberships to companies and organizations. I know we used to be able to get them through work.

 

[DisneyZell]

I believe our Costco gives you and a referring member a $10 Costco card for becoming a member...so if your mom referred you, each of you would get the gift card....but I don't know if that is all Costco's or not.

 

[3darlings]

I joined Costco recently through Mypoints. I think you get 500 pts. for joining (at the regular membership fee). You also get the regular coupons they give you for joining.

 

[mjkacmom]

You get 2 cards, so you can split the membership with your mom. I used to do this with an aunt, until I realized that I buy enough to make the executive membership worth it to get my own, and now DH has a card.

 

[sticker231]

The cards are supposed to be two people in the same household. All locations offer the refer a friend program with the $10 cash card, so that would be the only discount on membership.

 

[mnrose]

Lifetime Fitness members get a nice gift card with a new membership to Costco which essentially makes the membership free for the first year. If you are a Lifetime member, check that out.

 

[vicki_c]

Once in a while I've seen a coupon in the Sunday paper, but not sure if it was for free 3 months or discounted membership.

 

[akcire]

I joined though a National Accounts program, just this year. I saw it posted on a coupon website, and just took the form with me to Costco. I did not get a reduced membership fee, but I did get a bunch of coupons about 2 weeks after joining for free products. The free products were worth the amount of the membership, possibly a bit more. We got a pizza, a bag of coffee, case of water, etc.....

 

[pigletto]

We got the executive membership today actually. Worth it to us for the 2% back on our purchases. Be warned though.. I don't know if it was just our lady or common practice but she pushed and pushed and pushed that American Express card
She must have said four times.. "If you don't get it you can only use cash or debit.. no other cards" and " What if you get to the cash and run out of money.. it would be nice to have!". Umm, well for one there's an ATM machine RIGHT BEHIND YOU
And two .. Dh finally shut her down with the "We don't buy what we can't afford with so that won't be a problem. " Seriously, we refused that card at least 4 times if not more. She must get some perk for it.

 

[cockermon]

We have Costco Executive & got a check for $115 cash back.
This covers the $100 fee, so we came out ahead this year.
I do most of our grocery & household good shopping here.

This year I got their American Express card- it is free & we pay off in full every month. This also gives cash back -3% on cash (we buy at Costco) & 1% on everything else at Costco. So we will get extra money back this year.
Since I can't use any other credit card & worry about debit card errors- this works well for our family.

Cathy

 

[akcire]

Just an FYI........

You can use ANY American Express at Costco. Your are not limited to the Costco American Express.

I have a really old Citibank American Airlines American Express card that earns a ridiculously high number of miles, and they waive the annual fee for me, and I use it at Costco nearly every week. I also know my husband can use his corporate card (when purchasing something for work) and it is just a standard green corporate American Express.

 

[johnsontrio]

We have Costco Executive & got a check for $115 cash back.
This covers the $100 fee, so we came out ahead this year.
I do most of our grocery & household good shopping here.

This year I got their American Express card- it is free & we pay off in full every month. This also gives cash back -3% on cash (we buy at Costco) & 1% on everything else at Costco. So we will get extra money back this year.
Since I can't use any other credit card & worry about debit card errors- this works well for our family.

Cathy

Just to clarify other posts, the Costco membership rebate is different from the American Express rebate and you are in for a nice surprise. I get my Amex rebate in February and it has varied from over $700 to mid $400 range each year. I use that card instead of the card that used to get Northwest Airline miles that I could never use. The Costco membership rebate comes each year at the time of the renewal. My rebate is usually close to the $100 I owe for the renewal. We love Costco!

 

[Ephany]

If you're in the area of the Mall of Georgia, they had a table in front of Old Navy today. If you signed up there, they were offering a $20 Costco cash card. That's the only deal I've seen lately.

 

[mjkacmom]

The cards are supposed to be two people in the same household. All locations offer the refer a friend program with the $10 cash card, so that would be the only discount on membership.

Oops - I was on her card for about 8 years, and we don't even live in the same state!

 

[Maddle]

Oops - I was on her card for about 8 years, and we don't even live in the same state!

Yeah, sorry - it is supposed to be in the same household.

If you are a regular shopper, the Executive membership pays for itself with the rebate. We just apply the "check." BUT - if you're not satisfied with the exec membership because you are not spending enough to cover the cost, you can RETURN it! Yes, they guarantee you will be satisfied.

The American Express is a pretty sweet deal, too, because of the cash back and some benefits of the membership. They give quite a bit back for restaurants and travel expenses too. And yes, gasoline is covered. (But my uncle had that same experience with the pushy sales person. If you don't want it, be STRONG!)

Maddle

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Did you know that Costco makes most of their profit through membership fees; not on the items they sell?