Prediction: Costco Membership Prices Will Rise to $70 by 2030

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Sunrise. Seasons. Costco price hikes. They're inevitable. The kingdom of wholesale shoppers rose up in arms recently to witness the latest price hike, scheduled for Sept. 1, 2024. Like clockwork, Costco is raising the price $5, from $60 to $65 per year for the cheapest membership.

What that means for Costco members : Costco is continuing as usual. Believe it or not, the club raises prices on a consistent, predictable schedule. By 2030, Costco membership prices will almost definitely rise to $70 annually -- and here's why.

Costco price hikes are predictable

Costco juices its Gold Star membership prices by $5 approximately once every five to six years. The following is a brief history of Costco price hikes by membership type:

If Costco continues down this road, a Gold Star membership will cost $70 in 2030, and an Executive membership will cost $140. It's not a huge hike, but it does make me think twice about renewal. Is it worth sticking around? Are my rotisserie chickens still worth the squeeze?

Napkin math: yes. Reason being, the membership is already dirt cheap.

The membership is still valuable

The hike might scare away some members, but Costco is still a value play .

Despite the hikes, a membership is dollar-for-dollar more valuable than when Costco debuted it in 1983. Adjusted for inflation, the initial membership was worth $80 in today's money. Six years from now, the typical Costco Gold Star members will probably pay $70 for a membership -- less than our great Costco ancestors, including my sample-happy grandma.

The Gold Star membership perks aren't scheduled to change, but Executive membership is getting an upgrade. The most important perk, the 2% reward, is being capped at $1,250, up from $1,000. You can squeeze even more value from your membership.

To do so, you'd need to spend over $50,000 annually at Costco. That is approximately an elephant's worth of Cookie Crisp and Kirkland nonfat yogurt. I guess using Costco Travel could turbocharge your 2% rewards. And Costco does sell gold bars.

How to juice your upgraded Costco membership

Sure, you can spend more to earn the upgraded 2% rewards. But most won't hit that number. Thankfully, you can juice your membership without stretching the budget.

How to extract maximum value:

• Gas up: Costco fuel is usually cheaper than the competition.
• Use cards: Swipe credit cards that earn you the best rewards at Costco .
• Price watch: Keep an eye on Costco's price adjustments. Costco will refund the difference if an item's price drops within 30 days of purchase.

I'd keep a sharp eye on Costco prices particularly after you buy really expensive items. If an item's price drops by $250 within 30 days of buying, you can request a price adjustment, and Costco will refund you the $250. You can fill out the form online by clicking a button. It's fast and easy.

If that's not enough for you, you can always buy enough hot dog combos to feed a small village. No? Personally, I spend enough on Costco's $4.99 rotisserie chicken to justify a Gold Star membership. Like everything Costco sells, it's big, bulky, and priced just right.

The membership cost is rising and will probably continue to do so (the cap on 2% Executive rewards may follow suit). But as long as small price hikes continue apace, you can feel secure in letting your monthly payment auto-renew -- Executive or otherwise.

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