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A basic Costco membership costs $65 a year, and you'll pay $130 a year for an Executive membership that gives you 2% cash back on your purchases.
No matter which membership you purchase, if you shop at Costco regularly, you can more than make back the fee in the form of savings on groceries and everyday purchases. But if these signs apply to you, it means you may not be getting as much value out of your membership as you deserve.
1. You're not filling up your gas tank at Costco
Costco's fuel stations sell some of the cheapest gas in town. If you're not filling up your car when you shop, you're missing out.
But it's not just that Costco gas is low in price. It's also high in quality.
Costco's fuel carries the TOP TIER™ designation. This means it's designed to clean your engine and lead to better performance.
Now, you may be aware that as an Executive member, you're not eligible for the usual 2% cash back at Costco's pumps. And if the lines to fill up tend to be long, that may deter you from waiting.
But if you use the right credit card at the pump, you can score enough cash back to make up for the fact that you aren't getting any from your Executive membership. Click here for a list of the best credit cards to use at Costco.
2. You're not booking your vacations through Costco
Costco doesn't just sell physical items -- it also sells experiences. And there's much to be gained by booking a vacation through Costco. If you've yet to do so, you may want to take a look and see what packages are available.
First of all, Costco's travel packages tend to be competitively priced. And many include extras like cruise or resort credits that can save you even more. Or, you may be eligible for a Costco Shop Card (the store's version of a gift card) as a thank you for your booking.
Unlike gas purchases, travel purchases through Costco are eligible for 2% back through an Executive membership. And that could put a lot of free money in your pocket. If you're booking a $3,000 trip, $60 of it comes back to you.
3. You're not buying Kirkland Signature products because you aren't familiar with the brand
It's not so unusual to be loyal to the brands you're used to, whether in the context of food, cleaning supplies, or over-the-counter medications. But if you don't give Costco's Kirkland Signature house brand a chance, you could end up missing out on big savings.
Costco specifically aims to price its Kirkland products at a 20% discount or more compared to national brands. Plus, Costco is known to stand behind all of the items it sells. If you buy something with the Kirkland label and it doesn't meet your expectations, you can generally bring it back for a full refund.
Costco is one of the only stores that charges people for access. If you're going to spend that money, you might as well make the most of your membership. You can get more value out of yours by filling up your tank, booking vacations, and loading up on Costco's Kirkland line of products.
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. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money 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.
