Costco membership cards: how to save even more

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:

Long-term savings due to prices and deals

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.

Wide selection of products

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!).

Service offer

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.

Reward Programs

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.

Product quality

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.

Flexible return policy

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.

Costco card membership online or in-store

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.

Purchasing and services

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.

Access and shopping experience

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!

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:

Costco Privilege membership card

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.

Costco Executive membership card

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!

Company – Business membership card

Annual membership fee: $60

Business owners can access a whole range of benefits, such as:

• Membership valid at all Costco locations worldwide and online at Costco.ca
• An exclusive platform for businesses: costcopourentreprises.ca.
• Two membership cards
• Costco Magazine
• 6 additional cardholders
• Purchase for resale under certain conditions

Being a Business member can save your company and your employees money. But for even more benefits, they offer an Executive Business Membership.

Corporate – Executive Business membership card

Annual membership fee: $120

By joining this program, you and your company will benefit from all the advantages offered to Business members, in addition to:

• 2% annual rebate on eligible warehouse purchases made on Costco.ca and Costco Travel
• Exclusive offers and extra savings

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:

• 5 points per dollar for groceries and restaurants
• 2 points per dollar for gasoline and electric recharges
• 2 points per dollar on recurring bills
• 2 points per dollar on À la carte Travel
• 1 point per dollar on all other 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:

• Airport parking
• Baggage fees
• Seat selection
• Access to airport lounges
• Flight upgrades

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:

• excellent insurance cover for your travels or purchases
• Concierge services
• Double the miles for car rentals with National or Alamo

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:

• 3 % on restaurant purchases and Costco gas station purchases (maximum $5,000 in annual purchases per calendar year, then 1%)
• 2 % on purchases made at other gas stations and Costco.ca (maximum $8,000 in annual purchases per calendar year, then 1%)
• 1 % on all other purchases, including those made at Costco warehouses