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A Gold Star Costco membership currently costs $60 a year, while an Executive membership costs $120. In September, these prices are rising to $65 and $130, respectively.
But no matter how much you're paying for Costco , it's important to get the most out of your membership fee. To that end, it pays to take advantage of these lesser-known shopping strategies.
1. Show up early
Costco used to let Executive members into the store early. Years back, it did away with that benefit, and now, all shoppers have to follow the same store hours.
But if you get to Costco a few minutes before the doors open, you may be allowed in early for a jump start on your shopping. And there's a big benefit to getting in before the crowds arrive.
If the store is less packed and you feel less stressed, you may be in a better position to make savvy decisions. You're also less likely to overlook a sale item because you simply couldn't see it through a sea of people.
This isn't to say that you should show up at Cosco 25 minutes before it's set to open. But getting in 10 minutes early could help.
2. When you can't find what you want at the store, look online
You might assume that if an item you want isn't available at your local Costco, then you're not going to find it online either. But actually, Costco.com's inventory is way more extensive than the typical Costco warehouse club store.
So the next time your local Costco is out of your favorite trail mix or you can't find the wintertime gear you want for your kids, look online. You might pay a bit more compared to the in-store price, but you might still save money compared to making your purchase at another store. Plus, some of the items Costco carries are online-only, so you won't find them in a store no matter what.
3. Get the Executive membership upgrade -- even if you're unsure you'll make your money back
You may be inclined to stick with a basic Costco membership if you don't shop there all that often and your spending tends to fluctuate. But it could pay to upgrade to an Executive membership for one big reason: There's zero financial risk.
Once the cost of an Executive membership goes up to $130, it will take $3,250 in annual Costco spending to break even on the $65 upgrade cost. That's because the Executive membership gives you 2% cash back on your purchases, and 2% of $3,250 is $65.
But here's the thing: If you don't spend enough in a year at Costco to make back your $65 upgrade cost, Costco will let you cancel your Executive membership, replace it with a basic one, and refund you the difference. So if you're on the fence, it pays to sign up.
Say you pay for the upgrade but only spend $3,000 the following year. That only puts $60 back in your pocket. But Costco will refund you the missing $5 if you downgrade, so you might as well give the Executive membership a try.
4. Load up on gift cards
Many people aren't aware that Costco sells gift cards for other retailers. And this may not be obvious, but Costco's gift cards are discounted so you're paying less than their face value.
Right now, as one example, Costco is selling $100 worth of IHOP gift cards for $79.99. If your family goes to IHOP every Sunday for breakfast, this is clearly a great buy.
5. Order a cheap pizza ahead of time
A lot of people know they can walk up to the Costco food court, order a quick meal, and enjoy it a few minutes later. But did you know that you can also buy Costco's food court pizza by the pie instead of just the slice?
Not only that, but you have the option to call in a pizza order ahead of time and pick it up. Or, you can place your order when you get to the store, do some quick shopping, and grab your full-sized pizza on the way out. At a price point of $9.99, you'll be hard-pressed to find a less expensive way to put dinner on the table.
The longer you're a Costco member, the more likely you are to come up with your own strategies for saving money and maximizing your benefits. But use these tips as a starting point so you're really able to enjoy your membership to the fullest.
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. Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy .
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