This Could Be the Single Best Deal Costco Offers

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Usually, when I go to Costco, I have a specific objective in mind -- buy groceries, toilet paper, and the like. In my house, we're constantly running out of things like paper towels, milk, and snacks (because that's just how my kids roll). So a weekly trip to Costco is almost always necessary.

But in the course of my Costco shopping, I often buy more than just food and cleaning supplies. Sometimes, I'll stock up on socks, because those have a magical way of ripping or disappearing in my house. And when there's a need, I like buying my electronics at Costco not just for the low prices, but the built-in benefits, like a second-year warranty and tech support.

There's another area of Costco I don't visit every week, but I do make a point to check out on occasion -- the gift card section. It took me a while to realize this, but Costco's gift cards are quite possibly the single best deal the store has to offer. So while gift cards may not be something you need to purchase every week, I highly recommend checking out Costco's selection for one big reason.

How does paying less sound to you?

Between my kids' friends' birthdays and wanting to thank their teachers for a job well done, I'm constantly in need of gifts. And I like handing over a gift card instead of a wad of cash -- it just seems a little classier to me.

Now normally when I go to buy a gift card, I have to spend the amount it costs. For example, if I want a $25 gift card to Amazon, it'll cost me $25.

But Costco's gift cards are different -- in a good way. At Costco, you can buy a range of gift cards at below their face value. This is a great way to save money all around, whether you're buying those gift cards to give away or use yourself.

Here are some of the gift card deals Costco has available right now:

• $75 worth of Subway gift cards for $59.99
• $100 worth of Uber gift cards (valid on Uber Eats or Uber Rides) for $79.99
• $50 Roblox gift card for $44.99 (this makes a great gift for Roblox-obsessed kids)
• $50 at Cinemark for $39.99

You can find Costco gift cards in stores and online, so it's easy enough to load up on the ones that are useful for you.

Be careful when buying gift cards to use yourself

When you're buying a gift card to hand out as a gift, your risk of wasting your money is minimal. All you have to do is remember to hand it over, and voila -- it's served its purpose.

But do be careful if you're going to buy discounted Costco gift cards to use yourself. You may be inclined to jump on great deals like the ones above. But if your gift cards end up just sitting in your desk drawer, then guess what? You've wasted money instead of saving it.

In a nutshell, though, all you really need to do is be honest with yourself about whether a given gift card makes sense to buy. If you work near a Subway and grab lunch there once a week, every week, then the above deal on Subway gift cards makes sense for you. If you can't remember the last time you ate at a Subway restaurant, then you should probably pass.

You should also know that while Costco allows members to return most purchases for any reason, gift cards cannot be returned. So before you buy, think carefully about whether your purchase makes sense so you're able to truly benefit from this amazing Costco perk .

We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Maurie Backman has positions in Amazon. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Costco Wholesale, and Uber Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .