Costco membership fees to increase by $5 starting Sept. 1 in California and across nation

We knew it was bound to happen: Warehouse giant Costco will raise its membership fee starting Sept. 1 in California and the rest of the country.

For Costco's U.S. and Canada Gold Star members, a basic individual membership costs from $5 to $65. For those with an executive membership, the price increases from $10 to $130 ($65 for the primary membership and $65 for the executive upgrade). The annual 2% reward that executive membership earns will increase from $1,000 to a maximum of $1,250.

When was the last time Costco raised its membership fee?

This is the first time the warehouse giant — known for its $4.99 rotisserie chicken, $1.50 hot dog and pop combo, and numerous Kirkland brand products — has raised its fees in seven years. They rose by $5 and $10 in 2017. Costco expects the increase to affect 52 million members, with more than half holding executive memberships.

In an email to the USA TODAY Network Costco said, "Membership fees help offset costs so we can keep our prices low. A modest increase in fees will allow us to offer our members even greater value."

It is unclear whether joining Costco before the rate increase guarantees members the current rate until renewal the following year.

How many Costco stores are in California?

Costco runs 129 stores in California, or about 21% of the 609 Costco locations in the United States. Globally, the company operates nearly 900 warehouse stores. For June, Costco reported net sales of more than $24 billion, up 7.4% from $22.78 billion in the previous year.

Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on X (formerly Twitter.) Support local journalism and become a digital subscriber to the Free Press.