5 Costco Benefits No One Talks About

Image source: Getty Images

There's a reason millions of people are willing to pay a membership fee to join Costco. In addition to savings on bulk groceries, Costco members can maximize their memberships by enjoying a world of perks, some of which are less well-known than others.

Here are a few of the best Costco membership perks you probably didn't know about.

1. Extended warranties on electronics

A new TV or laptop isn't the sort of item you're going to buy every day. So when you spend the money, you want reassurance that your device isn't going to break the second it's out of warranty.

The good thing about buying electronics at Costco is that you'll get a second-year warranty for free. This way, you get more peace of mind when you're buying an item you may have to stretch your budget for. Plus, when you buy electronics at Costco, you're eligible for free tech support in case you hit a snag getting your devices set up.

2. Lifetime maintenance for tires

Tires don't last forever -- though it would be nice if they did, seeing as how they aren't cheap. When you buy tires at Costco, though, you don't just benefit from the low prices the store's auto center offers. You also get free lifetime maintenance.

In addition to a five-year road hazard warranty, Costco tires come with free rotations, pressure checks, and balancing. This means you won't have to pay a mechanic to keep your tires in great shape.

3. Gas that's designed to outperform

It's not exactly a secret that Costco has some of the cheapest gas in town. But what you may not know is that Costco gasoline carries the TOP TIER certification. Costco's gas is not only more affordable than the competition, but it's also designed to lead to better driving performance by cleaning your engine.

Plus, if you fill up at Costco using the right credit cards, you can bank extra cash back or rewards to add to your savings. Click here for a list of the best credit cards for gasoline purchases .

4. Bottled water delivery

If you don't have access to water you're comfortable drinking, or if your local water supply has a strange taste, then you may have to rely on bottled water to stay hydrated. Another lesser-known Costco benefit is that you can sign up for bottled water delivery at an affordable price.

Costco offers several options. You can choose from spring, purified, or alkaline water, and you can arrange for delivery on a schedule that best meets your needs.

5. Home installation services

Finding a trusted home improvement contractor can be challenging. As a Costco member, you get access to a host of affordable home installation services provided by contractors Costco works with. These include bathroom remodels, window treatments, standby generators (a must-have if you're in a power outage-prone area), and heating and air conditioning systems.

When you use a random company you find on the internet, you never quite know what service to expect. But when you book through Costco, you get the reassurance that comes with the Costco name.

Plus, certain home services booked through Costco give you money to spend at the store as a reward. For example, if you use Costco to replace your windows, you earn a 10% Shop Card (Costco's version of a gift card).

There are certain perks Costco is well-known for, like its famous $1.50 hot dog combo at the food court and the delicious free samples members can snack on as they shop. The five benefits discussed above aren't as obvious. But they can save you money and help you eke a lot more value out of your membership.

So if you're on the fence about joining Costco, you should consider these perks as you make your decision.

Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)

We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America's favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco.

Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it's no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.

Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!

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 .