Renewing Costco Membership

[ChattaDIS]

Is there any benefit to renewing a Costco membership before it expires or should I just let it lapse and get a new one the next time I go after the expiration. It would seem I might get an extra few weeks doing it this way.

 

[elgerber]

If you wait a few weeks as far as I know they will just keep your expiration date the same.

 

[LorieDisneyLover]

I have found that both Costco and BJs do NOT extend the expiration date if you fail to renew it before the expiration date.

I have held out as long as two months in renewing and the expiration date remained the same as if I had renewed on time.

 

[ChattaDIS]

When does it stop being a renewal and instead become a new membership? Aren't the prices the same?

 

[pikasso]

If you want a new expiration date then you need to have your spouse renew for you and get the benefits of the 1st year membership and then switch back the next year. We have been doing this for years and saves us a bunch of money.

 

[cndij]

Costco has a policy of extending the old expiration date UNLESS you specifically request that you want the renewal to start on the date that you actually renew, we have done this, actually again last week. They have been hit with a class action suit in the past because of this policy (I was a participant), but they continue to do it, unless you make a point of demanding, that you want your renewed membership to start TODAY.

 

[Mrs.Malone]

I just got my renewal paperwork. It says that the policy is that they will start the new membership on the old expiration date unless you renew over TWO months after the expiration date. If you're not a frequent shopper, it makes sense to wait until just over two months past the expiration to renew.

I love Costco, but I think this is an unfair policy.

 

[Megkel]

Costco membership costs 96 cents a week for their basic membership....

 

[jdcthree]

Costco has a policy of extending the old expiration date UNLESS you specifically request that you want the renewal to start on the date that you actually renew, we have done this, actually again last week. They have been hit with a class action suit in the past because of this policy (I was a participant), but they continue to do it, unless you make a point of demanding, that you want your renewed membership to start TODAY.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Phlip]

Costco has a policy of extending the old expiration date UNLESS you specifically request that you want the renewal to start on the date that you actually renew, we have done this, actually again last week. They have been hit with a class action suit in the past because of this policy (I was a participant), but they continue to do it, unless you make a point of demanding, that you want your renewed membership to start TODAY.

Not exactly, and no need to 'demand'.
Policy copied from their website-
Renewal Policy – Memberships renewed within 2 months after expiration of the current membership year will be extended for 12 months from the expiration date. Memberships renewed more than 2 months after such expiration will be extended for 12 months from the renewal date.

Lets say your membership expired in April, and you come in in August and renew. Your new expiration date is August.
No big thing. You can't shop on an expired membership anyway.

 

[amcnj]

This was exactly how it worked with BJ's. One year I had for some reason not gone back after the expiration date for 2 months or slightly over, and the renewal date did reset to when I did return.

 

[Mrs.Malone]

Not exactly, and no need to 'demand'.
Policy copied from their website-
Renewal Policy – Memberships renewed within 2 months after expiration of the current membership year will be extended for 12 months from the expiration date. Memberships renewed more than 2 months after such expiration will be extended for 12 months from the renewal date.

Lets say your membership expired in April, and you come in in August and renew. Your new expiration date is August.
No big thing. You can't shop on an expired membership anyway.

Right. But what if your membership expires April 30 and the next time you go into Costco is June 25. You pay a full year's membership fee, but you're only going to get about 10 months, because your membership will expire next April 30. That doesn't seem fair.

 

[HM]

Right. But what if your membership expires April 30 and the next time you go into Costco is June 25. You pay a full year's membership fee, but you're only going to get about 10 months, because your membership will expire next April 30. That doesn't seem fair.

I do this at Sam's club. For me, it's just putting off the payment until I actually need to use the card again. So my card expires in August, and since we only visit every three weeks or so, it might be three weeks before I use is again and renew in mid-September. I could renew on my last visit in August, but I don't as I don't see a reason to spend that $40 right then.

 

[Mrs.Malone]

I do this at Sam's club. For me, it's just putting off the payment until I actually need to use the card again. So my card expires in August, and since we only visit every three weeks or so, it might be three weeks before I use is again and renew in mid-September. I could renew on my last visit in August, but I don't as I don't see a reason to spend that $40 right then.

Yes. This is what I do with Costco.

 

[wiigirl]

Costco membership costs 96 cents a week for their basic membership....

...and totally worth it....

 

[Phlip]

Right. But what if your membership expires April 30 and the next time you go into Costco is June 25. You pay a full year's membership fee, but you're only going to get about 10 months, because your membership will expire next April 30. That doesn't seem fair.

Why? Your membership expired. Just renew on time. If you can't do that, have the clerk change you renewal date. No big deal.

 

[BenbowInn]

...and totally worth it....

Agree!