What we love about Costco is the exclusivity factor. You have to admit, it’s nice to have a Costco membership card, offering a wide range of benefits and interesting programs!
And what are the benefits of Costco membership in 2024? Is it still interesting? How can you make the most of your membership? These are some of the questions we’ll try to answer in this article.
In this article, you’ll find all the information you need, plus tips on how to make the most of your membership.
Do many of your friends and family praise the benefits of Costco? You probably know some of them, such as:
As we all know, Costco members have access to a wide variety of products at reduced prices. The reason is that Costco buys in large volumes, allowing it to negotiate prices with greater margins than smaller markets or shops. We think of the local pharmacy or grocery store right up to the big department store.
And yes, membership does have an annual cost. However, savings on bulk purchases largely offset this subscription cost. This is even truer for families, businesses or those who regularly buy in large quantities.
Over the years, Costco has equipped itself with various products, from groceries to clothing, electronics, furniture, gasoline, and eyeglasses! Many individuals and families see a massive advantage in being able to buy everything they need under one roof, with just one basket (or two!).
Did you know that Costco also offers insurance, travel and photo services? And at very competitive rates. These services are not necessarily available on-site, but via the Costco website, through your member portal.
And stay tuned! Costco often promotes discounts on its services. Visit their website and sign up for their members’ newsletter so you don’t miss a thing.
Costco members also benefit from additional rewards programs, including the CIBC Costco Mastercard credit card. Get cash back on your purchases, extra rebates and lightning savings.
Costco is renowned for offering quality products, from its food aisles to its rows of household appliances. In addition to the Kirkland Signature brand, members have access to leading brands, carefully evaluated in terms of value for money. This gives you access to tried-and-tested products, often at unbeatable prices.
Costco is also known for its outstanding customer service and after-sales support. That’s why the banner offers a very generous return policy. You can therefore return the vast majority of products without difficulty, as long as the return conditions are respected (original packaging, etc.).
This gives you peace of mind when shopping. It allows you to buy on the spot and validate once you’re home, with other members of your family for example.
Now that you’ve grasped the benefits of shopping at Costco, how do you know if it’s really right for you in today’s environment? By thinking about your buying habits and your family situation!
For example, if you live alone and like to store in small local stores, your subscription would be hard to make profitable. However, if you’re a family with growing children, and like to kill two birds with one stone when shopping, Costco could be quite favourable to you! Buying in bulk saves you money and reduces the number of shopping trips you make.
In 2024, with rising in-store and grocery prices, is your subscription as profitable as before? Yes, it is as much, if not more! Buying in bulk will always be a great way to save on your essentials bill – especially if you’re buying for a large family. Read our article on the best items to buy at Costco.
Of course, whatever your situation, you’ll need to buy enough at Costco after a year to make the subscription worthwhile.
Costco, also known as Entrepôt Costco (Costco Wholesale), distinguishes itself by selling wholesale to its members. Whether you’re at a Costco in Canada or in the U.S., the process is the same.
The first step to enjoying Costco, online or in-store, is membership. To do so, you must go to your nearest Costco store with identification and proof of address, without an appointment.
At the counter, a clerk will charge you for your annual membership. Your photo will be taken and added to your Costco membership card. You will be given the card along with documentation on your membership program, return policies and other details. You can shop the same day!
You can also pay for or renew your card online. In this case, we will send you a confirmation e-mail with your membership number. You’ll need to bring this proof and a piece of identification to the store to pick up your membership card.
In addition to shopping at Costco, you can discover a world of complementary services, such as eyewear, insurance services, travel sales, photo processing, gas and more. Some services require an appointment. Find out more online or in-store.
You can also take advantage of regular promotions on these different services, posted in stores, on the Costco website or via the member newsletter.
Thanks to their spacious facilities, Costco warehouses offer a pleasant experience for their customers. Wide aisles, numerous clerks on the floor, product demonstrations, free samples and much more await you.
Plus, when you’re a member, you can store at any Costco, as long as you have your membership card!
***The cost of annual membership will increase from September 1, 2024. It will be $65 for Privilege members and $130 for Executive Privilege members.
As with all subscription-based operations, we offer a variety of membership programs. It’s essential to weigh up the benefits of each to determine which is most profitable for you and your family. Here are more details on these types of Costco memberships:
Annual membership fee: $60
Being a Preferred member allows you to store at all Costco warehouses worldwide and on Costco.ca. You’ll also be entitled to a second membership card to give to someone in the same household as you.
The biggest advantage of this membership is its low price. It’s ideal for budget-conscious families who simply want to buy their favourite products at Costco.
Annual membership fee: $120
If you plan to do a lot of shopping at Costco, being an Executive Member could be for you! This membership gives you the same benefits as the Privilege membership, plus exclusive discounts and offers, a subscription to Costco magazine and, best of all, 2% cash back on eligible warehouse purchases made on Costco.ca and with Costco Travel.
This 2 % annual discount on the Costco Executive Membership Card is combined with a credit card. So we can make a double saving!
***The cost of annual membership will increase from September 1, 2024. It will be $65 for a Business member and $130 for a Business Executive member.
Business owners can access a whole range of benefits, such as:
Being a Business member can save your company and your employees money. But for even more benefits, they offer an Executive Business Membership.
By joining this program, you and your company will benefit from all the advantages offered to Business members, in addition to:
Depending on your goals, there are many advantages to Costco credit cards. Note that no credit card considers Costco a grocery store.
Here’s our selection according to your needs:
According to our team, the Rogers™ World EliteMD MastercardMD is one of the best cash-back credit cards in Canada (with no annual fee)!
With this program, you earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, including those at Costco, plus 3% cash back on all U.S. dollar purchases.
Part of the World Elite Mastercard range, the Rogers™ World EliteMD MastercardMD comes with a complimentary subscription to Mastercard Travel Pass (through DragonPass), offering access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide (US$32 per person per visit).
Not to mention the many insurance coverages available to you:
The National Bank World Elite Mastercard® is NBC’s best Mastercard credit card. And although it’s rarely on promotion, you can earn up to 35,000 welcome bonus points until June 15, 2024! Plus, enter for a chance to win $2,000 in Transat travel credit via our exclusive link!
With this card, you earn up to 5 points per dollar on your purchases:
Note that Costco purchases are part of the “other purchases” category.
In addition, the card offers an annual travel credit of $150, to be used in any of these categories:
Finally, you can enjoy access to DragonPass airport lounges, free Wi-Fi with Boingo, and unlimited access to the National Bank Lounge at Montréal-Trudeau airport.
It’s no coincidence that our team voted the National Bank World Elite Mastercard® the Best Credit Card for Travel and the Best Credit Card for Insurance in 2024!
Thanks to the exclusive BMO Ascend™ World Elite®* Mastercard offer, you earn 3,000 miles after $3,000 in purchases. In all, this represents a cash value of $315.
Why use it at Costco? Because it allows you to earn 2 AIR MILES miles for every $12 in purchases, especially at wholesale clubs (such as warehouses). In fact, it’s one of the only credit cards in Canada to accumulate quickly in this type of business.
It’s also currently the only AIR MILES credit card in Canada to offer a 25% discount on AIR MILES flights to any destination throughout the year.
The BMO® AIR MILES® World Elite® MasterCard® offer as well:
In addition, the $120 annual fee is waived in the first year!
We can’t overlook the CIBC Costco Mastercard, which replaces the Capital One Costco Mastercard as of March 04, 2022. However, as many members may think, you don’t need this card to store at Costco!
But, this no-annual-fee credit card offers the following benefits:
Now, how do you get the most out of your Costco membership? It’s simpler than you think. For many years now, the retail giant has been offering its loyal customers a wide range of ways to save more, optimize discounts and more.
Here you’ll find tips on how to make the most of your membership and take advantage of the various programs available:
Which membership is best for you? This largely depends on your buying habits, such as the volume of purchases your family makes each year. The good news is that you can review your membership type at the time of annual renewal.
It’s true that the Costco bill goes up very quickly. The principle of bulk buying being what it is, it can be easy to walk out with a total amount that will make you regret your visit to the store.
Before you go, make yourself a list and stick to the purchases you have to make. With so much on offer, such as new products, seasonal clothing, decorations, treats, etc.: it’s easy to add things you may not need along the way. Stay alert!
We’re announcing a big promotion on one of your favourite products at Costco? Take the opportunity to refuel.
Costco services, such as insurance, travel services or mortgages, are sometimes underestimated. But it’s worth shopping around for competitive rates and comparing them with other suppliers. Make an appointment with the people in charge of these services to find out more.
Last but not least: a suitable credit card could be very profitable for you! Especially if you’re a shopaholic, since credit cards allow you to maximize your cash back on purchases.
Several options are available, depending on your objectives:
You can indeed shop at Costco without being a member. All you need is a Costco gift card! Otherwise, the classic: be accompanied by a card-carrying member (your mother, a friend, etc.).
You don’t need to be a member to go to the Costco pharmacy, either. Simply announce that you want to go to the pharmacy, and you’ll be directed to the shopping section. The same is true of Costco’s outdoor canteen. Indoor dining areas are reserved for members only.
Costco membership prices depend on the type of membership chosen. In all, there are 4 types of membership, as follows:
Only you can answer this question, as it depends on your buying habits, such as the frequency and volume of your purchases. However, it has been proven that significant savings can be made by buying in bulk.
Once again, everything is closely linked to your consumption profile. If you just want to buy food items on site or online, for example, the $60 Privilege membership will suffice. However, if you want to buy a lot, opt for services and enjoy exclusive benefits such as cash back, Executive Membership would be more appropriate!
Are you coming to the end of your Costco membership and would like to renew? It couldn’t be easier. You can do it online, or at a branch near you, without having to make an appointment. Once you’ve renewed your membership, you can continue to store as you like.
At present, there are two Costco branches for Enterprise in Quebec:
Many people don’t know it yet, but Costco also has a smart app! Available in the App Store and Google Play Store, it lets you create shopping lists, discover early-bird discounts and even send photos from your phone for in-store printing!
In fact, it’s not that different from the regular Costco. All Costco Canada memberships also entitle the holder to shop at Costco for the company, anywhere in the world. A completely different kind of store awaits you, however. At Costco for Business, there’s no clothing, books or alcohol.
Yes! You can find everything you need for washing and hygiene, such as soaps, sanitary towels, make-up remover wipes and much more.
Savings are here:
