Snowbirds: Save on Costco Warehouse Purchases in America

Q: What's the difference between Costco Wholesale and Costco for Business warehouses in Quebec?

Costco Wholesale warehouses are located in some twenty cities across Quebec and are accessible to all Costco members. As for Costco for Business, it offers products in bulk quantities aimed primarily at convenience stores, caterers, restaurants and hotels.

To the point For snowbirds, there are a few ways to save money in the U.S. by shopping at Costco to avoid eating up your budget.

Costco in the U.S. Costco in the U.S. And Visa Another Alternative

Bottom Line Frequently Asked Questions

Costco in the U.S.

Every year, thousands of snowbirds migrate to the warm climate of Florida to escape the rigours of the Canadian winter. During these winter months, one of the essential shopping stops is Costco.

Costco membership allows you to enter any Costco warehouse worldwide.

When using a Canadian credit card outside the country, a foreign currency conversion fee of 2.5% applies to all transactions.

For example, this means that a $100 purchase made in the U.S. and charged to a Canadian credit card will cost you $139.40 CAD :

Approx. 136 CAD (according to the daily exchange rate, established by Visa or Mastercard)
3.40 CAD in conversion fees ($136 X 2.5%)

A few rare Canadian credit cards allow you to avoid this sneaky conversion fee:

Only one Visa is in this list for our use at Costco: the Scotiabank Visa Infinite* Passport^{^®} card.

Costco in the U.S. And Visa

In Canada, all Mastercard cards are accepted in the warehouse, however, Visa cards can also be used. Here’s a tip: our guide to using a VISA credit card at Costco will show you how.

On the other side of the border, it’s different: only Visa cards and the Canadian CIBC Costco Mastercard are accepted at Costco warehouses in the U.S.

With this card, Scene+ points can be used to deduct from your Florida travel expenses! In fact, 1,000 Scene+ points means a $10 deduction on your Scotiabank Visa Infinite* Passport^{^®} card balance. This way, you can:

Earn Scene+ points on your Costco warehouse purchases
Redeem your Scene+ points for credits on your Florida travel expenses
Avoid the usual 2.5% conversion fee

Another Alternative

Do you have a Social Security Number (SSN), an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or a U.S. address? If so, you may be eligible for an American credit card.

You could get the Chase Aeroplan^{^®} World Elite Mastercard. This way, your seasonal flights south of the border can be financed with your accumulated Aeroplan points!

In addition, it offers the holder:

The first checked bag free;
No foreign currency conversion charges ;
A $100 credit towards NEXUS membership or renewal;
A preferential rate so that tickets paid for with Aeroplan points cost less;
Aeroplan 25K status.

Its only drawback: you can’t use it in Costco warehouses. However, this card can be a good combination with the Scotiabank Visa Infinite* Passport^{^®} all year round.

Bottom Line

These tips are available to make life easier and less costly during the annual migration south.

Don’t forget to pay your credit card balance in full every month! Otherwise, the savings will be wiped out by interest charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns Costco stores?

Costco is a publicly traded company, which means it belongs to its shareholders. Costco’s founder is James Sinegal, who co-founded the company in 1983 with Jeffrey Brotman.

Is Costco Canadian or American?

Costco is a U.S.-based multinational company operating in several countries around the world, including Canada.

How many Costco members are there in Canada?

Costco has over 10 million members in Canada.

What is the difference between Costco Wholesale and Costco for Business warehouses in Quebec?

Costco Wholesale warehouses are located in more than twenty cities across Quebec and are accessible to all Costco members. As for Costco for Business, it offers products in bulk quantities aimed primarily at convenience stores, caterers, restaurants and hotels.