17 Ways to Get a Costco Membership for Free

Costco is a great place to shop if you are budget-conscious. You can save money on food, alcohol, and more. And some articles say there are ways to get a Costco membership for free.

Although Costco is great for saving money, the catch is in the membership fee. That fee can range from $60 for a basic membership to $120 for an executive plan. However, it is still possible to offset the costs of a membership and earn a membership that is basically free.

Can You Get A Free Costco Membership?

Assuming you buy the family plan, you must pay $60 for the membership. As long as you can save more than $60 at Costco over the course of a year, then the membership cost is basically free.

If you choose the executive plan, you must reach $120 in savings before your membership cost is offset. You’ll be back in the green of saving money when you hit $60 (or $120), so keep track of your savings as you go. You might be surprised how quickly your savings add up!

1. Buy Kirkland Brand

Kirkland is Costco’s private label, sold exclusively at Costco. If you have never used this brand, you can be confident in its quality. Although it is not a brand name, all of its products are really worth buying. Kirkland has everything from canned tuna to baby diapers.

Whenever you buy something at Costco, make sure to look for the Kirkland brand. The Kirkland brand is manufactured by many of your popular brands, so you will just pay less for something you already love.

One example includes Kirkland diapers, which are made by the Huggies manufacturer. Kirkland Scotch is made by the Macallan 18 manufacturer. Kirkland tuna is made by the same company as Bumblebee tuna, and Kirkland Vodka is manufactured by Grey Goose.

All those names you already trust are available at a much better price under the Kirkland name, so enjoy those savings! Keep track of your savings as you aim to offset your membership fee.

2. Buy Tires

You have to replace the tires on your car on a regular schedule, so you might as well use your Costco membership. The store offers excellent prices on trusted tire brands and offers some amazing add-on services with your purchase.

The service department offers lifetime rotation, warranty replacements, and nitrogen inflation, which can help keep tire pressure more stable. If you use the instant rebate that is offered, then you might be able to offset the cost of your new membership with just one purchase.

Costco runs tire purchase rebate programs almost continually. The deals vary by month, but you are likely to find a good bargain on one brand or another. Costco will have you and your car driving safely on the road in no time.

It also appears that certain locations have tires for off-roading vehicles, high-performance sports cars, and trailers. Check out your local store to see what savings are available to you.

3. Buy Gift Cards

Costco offers packages of bulk gift cards that can help you save big. Typically, you can save 25% to 35% on gift cards from popular retailers. You can give these away as gifts, and no one will ever know it was discounted. It can be your little secret around the holidays.

If you have a lot of people to buy for, then this purchase might offset your entire membership cost! Or if you know you will end up spending money at that store, you can keep them to spend yourself.

You can buy anything you like at that store, and you already have savings built into your purchase. If you find a good deal at that store, it’s like you’ve hit the savings lotto! This might be my favorite way to save money at Costco, just because the options are almost limitless.

4. Buy Gas

Costco offers low-cost fuel that can help you significantly cut your monthly fuel costs. If you use a lot of fuel, then this could be the perfect way to offset your membership cost.

At my local Costco, gas prices are often up to 20 cents cheaper per gallon. These savings can really pay off, especially if you are going on a road trip any time soon. There are Costco locations across the country, so you might as well stop and fill up where gas is the cheapest.

You won’t have to drive around to find the cheapest gas anymore; you know you’ll get the best price at Costco.

5. Buy Movie Tickets

If you enjoy going to the movies but dislike the price tag, buy your movie tickets in advance at Costco. You can find deals on ten-packs of movie tickets for between $ 80 and $ 90.

That works out to about $ 8 or $ 9 per ticket, which is much less than you will spend on most movie tickets today.

You might also be able to find a deal on food vouchers that could help reduce the cost of your popcorn and soda.

6. Use The “Instant” Costco Coupons

Using coupons at Costco is a breeze because you don’t even need to have them with you to maximize your savings. The company has a monthly book full of coupons offering great savings, but you do not need to present them at the register.

Coupon discounts will be applied automatically at the register. So even if you miss the monthly book, you will still get the discount. However, it is a good idea to check the coupon book to make sure you are not missing out on any amazing deals.

These coupons are so easy to use that you might not even realize they are being used. I recommend keeping track of these savings because they can really add up. You might even hit the 60-dollar membership fee without even trying.

While we are on the subject of coupons, there is something you should know about coupons at Costco. Costco does not accept any manufacturer’s coupons. Yes, it is disappointing. But Costco prices are typically very low, so you’re already getting a great deal.

Although you will not be able to use any of the coupons you normally use at other stores, with the low prices and easy “Instant” Costco coupons it is unlikely that you will feel like you are missing out on any savings.

You might even appreciate not having to track down any coupons while you are in the checkout line.

7. Use Ibotta

If you are thinking you can’t go shopping without coupons, then you may want to try downloading Ibotta. Ibotta is a great app that helps you work around Costco’s “no coupon” policy.

Although you won’t earn any in-store savings, you can claim your rebates by taking a photo of your receipt. The app has plenty of rebates that you can use at many stores, including Costco, in addition to your other savings.

The rebates are usually on basics like milk, eggs, beer, and other staples, which means you shouldn’t have any trouble adding to your already substantial savings. If you use the app often, you will likely be able to offset the cost of your membership within the year.

8. Use The “Price Protection” Plan

You might know the feeling of buying something and then watching the price drop the next day, week, or month.

It is a terrible feeling that has you thinking, “if only I had waited just a little while longer before buying X, Y, or Z.”

With a Costco membership, you won’t have to feel that pain anymore. If you shop at Costco often, just hang on to your receipts. It is likely you will buy something that goes on sale later or receives a price reduction. That kind of thing happens to most of us all the time.

If that happens to you on a Costco purchase, then you can just head over to the Costco customer service desk as soon as you notice the price reduction. Bring your receipt, and they will help you get your money back.

This is a relatively painless experience that can help you save money and avoid buyer’s remorse. Again, keep track of your savings to see when you hit the $60 mark.

9. Maximize Your Cash Back Rewards

That’s right, you can buy a card that offers you cash rewards. The cash can only be used at Costco, but it can help to offset your annual membership fee completely.

This cash back program is for the executive-level membership only. Instead of 60 dollars, you will pay 120 dollars, but there are perks that come along with the upgrade.

With this level of membership, you get a ton of extras that just aren’t available to the average gold cardholder. You can access travel rewards, special insurance rates, home loan options, and more.

The best part of this membership is that you get 2% cash back on all qualifying purchases! 2 percent might not sound like a lot, but the yearly rewards will add up! If you are planning to shop mostly at Costco, this is a great idea. It is likely that you will spend enough to cover the membership fee.

Not all purchases qualify. Some items, such as gas, gift cards, and food court purchases, do not qualify. Most things will count towards your rewards total, though. If you are considering this option, consider how much you plan to spend at Costco each year.

If you only buy your groceries here, it might not be worth paying for the executive membership.

However, if you plan on buying more things at Costco, including appliances, groceries, electronics, and more, then the card will literally pay for itself.

Find a Membership Deal

A simple way to pay less for your Costco membership is to find a good deal. As simple as that sounds, the deals on actual memberships are limited.

However, there are a few options to look into.

10. Create Your Own Test Trial

At Sam’s Club, you can get a free membership for the day just to see how you like it before you buy a whole-year membership.

Unlike other warehouse stores, such as Sam’s Club, Costco does not offer a free trial. However, there is a grey area that will allow some of you some wiggle room.

If you want to think outside the box, you can create your own free trial.

The official Costco membership refund policy says, “We will refund your membership fee in full at any time if you are dissatisfied.”

This basically means you can just give it a try, and if you don’t like the membership, then you can get a full refund.

This could be a good option if you are on the fence about buying the membership. It gives you the option to back out of the membership if it is just not working for you and your family.

Technically, you could use the membership for 364 days and cancel before it is too late to get your money back.

If you are planning to try this method, as with all other memberships, the key is to remember to actually cancel on time.

It is likely that you won’t be allowed to try this twice, though. It is hard to say, “Well, I disliked it enough to cancel, but I am going to try again this year.”

I am sure they have some kind of system in place that would only let this tactic work once.

Both Groupon and Living Social have offered amazing Costco membership deals in the past. You might be able to find a discounted membership fee or a package deal that makes the purchase well worth it.

If a deal isn’t available right now, then it will likely come back in the future. Often, these sorts of deals come in cycles. You might want to sign up for the newsletters from Groupon or Living Social to get the deal when it appears.

It is too easy to forget to check back regularly for a specific deal. Plus, there is a chance that the deal will be gone by the time you see it.

12. Make Some Inquiries

This method is less straightforward than the other outlined methods, but I have seen it work in the past. It is a very informal method for obtaining a discounted or free membership.

First, get a group together. This can be family, friends, a mom’s group, a singles group, it can really be anything as long as everyone wants a Costco membership.

Second, take your list of names to a Costco store manager.

Ask the manager whether they would be willing to offer your group discounted memberships if everyone bought one.

Now, they may say yes or no. This worked for my friend and a group of friends with young families. The store has honored her discounted membership rate for the past few years.

However, there is no official Costco statement acknowledging any group deals like that.

I would give it a try, though; the worst that they could say is no. If you are wondering why a manager would agree to give out discounted memberships, think about it this way:

Think of all the money a young family will likely spend at Costco after they have secured a membership. I’m guessing it’s worth giving the discount in the eyes of managers.

Do not be discouraged if they say no, but it never hurts to ask.

Make Purchases Without a Membership

Certain items at Costco can be purchased without a membership.

The company does not have much information available on the status of these deals at each location, so I would call ahead to confirm the deal is honored at that store.

13. Buy Alcohol

If you drink alcohol on a regular (or even semi-regular) basis, then you will want to cash in on the savings at Costco. The prices are deeply discounted compared to a normal retailer, so you can add up savings fast.

The Kirkland brand offers the best alcohol deals, so be open to trying something other than your original favorite to maximize your savings. Also, remember that many Kirkland-brand products are manufactured by companies you already love.

You might be able to use these savings without a membership. Although there is no official statement from Costco, I have known many people who can walk in and buy alcohol without a membership.

Just be sure to clarify with that location before you start loading up your cart. Otherwise, you could be in an awkward situation at checkout.

14. Buy Prescriptions

Many common medications are available at a better price at Costco. It might seem unfair that only members can receive special-rate medications. The FDA agrees.

Due to regulations set by the FDA and other organizations, Costco must sell these low-cost prescriptions to people with or without a membership.

Feel free to cash in on these savings with or without a membership.

15. Use a Costco Cash Card

You will need help from a card-holding member for this tactic. If you have a family member or close friend who is willing to help, you can just go with them to buy a Costco cash card.

The card can be purchased from the customer service desk. After you buy the card, you can start shopping right away. As far as I can tell, there is no waiting period or restrictions on how you may spend the Costco cash.

Basically, anyone with a Costco cash card can buy things at Costco with or without a membership. It is a perfect way to save money at Costco without having a membership. You get all the perks without ever buying a membership card.

Make sure to buy a card with a large value so that it does not have to be refilled anytime soon. The maximum amount you can buy is 1,000 dollars.

Be sure to thank your friend for helping you out!

16. Buy From the Food Court

As of March 16, 2020, you can no longer buy food from the Costco food court without a membership. But if you have a Costco membership, you can take advantage of the cheap food at the food court.

The fare includes hot dogs, rotisserie chicken, soft-serve ice cream, soda, pizza, and more.

You will have to pay for your meal in cash, but you will be eating inside the Costco store. I am not sure how exciting this is, but you will be able to see what it is like inside a Costco store without awkwardly wandering around.

Some of you will decide to check out the store before jumping into a membership, which is always a good idea.

If you want to simply order and walk out with something in hand during or after your scouting trip around the store, this is a good option.

You can just order a pretzel and call it a day. And the food court prices are extremely reasonable to boot.

17. Buy at Costco.com

As a non-member, you can buy things at the online Costco store. The catch is that you will have to pay an extra 5 percent over the member price.

The exception is prescription drugs; you will not have to pay a surcharge if you are ordering those.

If you are looking to buy a few specific things from Costco, then this could be a good option for you. Even with the surcharge, there may be some good deals.

Skip the Membership and Keep the Savings

Maybe you have read these ways to get a free Costco membership and decided that none of these options work for you. That is okay.

If you are absolutely sure that you do not want to purchase a membership, then consider this option. You can get Costco prices without ever shopping at Costco.

That might seem like a confusing statement. How can you possibly keep the Costco savings without a membership? The answer is price matching!

Remember, there is nothing wrong with walking through Costco. You can look for deals, then head to a different store to claim them via price matching. Many stores will price-match Costco’s prices. So, all you have to do is find a Costco deal and a store that will match it.

Some stores that will match prices include Best Buy, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Office Depot, Sears, PetSmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Staples, and more.

Make sure that the store will match the price you have. Some of these stores will only match the online Costco prices, not the in-store deals.

Call ahead to confirm your location matches Costco’s prices and to clarify the terms of their price-matching policy. Also, check with other stores in your area; many likely price-match Costco.

The worst that can happen is that you ask and the store says no. It is not the end of the world. This could be the best option if you are looking at Costco for a specific item or two. Electronics and appliances are two areas where this tactic could pay off in a big way.

Summary

Finding a Costco membership deal can be a challenge, but it is worth the effort. No, you may not be able to get a membership for free. However, there are many ways you can make up the $60 or $120 you spend on your membership by taking advantage of Costco’s savings.

The potential savings can be huge, but you need to make sure that a membership is worth it for you and your family. If you are a growing family that spends a lot of money on food and other products found at Costco, then the membership will likely pay for itself in no time.

The key is knowing that you will spend enough money at Costco to more than offset the membership costs.

Compare your budget with the potential savings at Costco before deciding whether a membership is the right choice for you.

Costco Disclaimer:

To receive a Digital Costco Shop Card, you must provide a valid email address and set up auto renewal of your Costco membership on a Visa® card at the time of sign-up. If you elect not to provide a valid email address and sign up for auto renewal, a Digital Costco Shop Card will not be emailed. Valid only for nonmembers for their first year of membership. Not valid for renewal or upgrade of an existing membership. To qualify as a new member, an existing Costco membership must be expired at least 18 months or more. Limit one promotion per household. Digital Costco Shop Card will be emailed to the email address provided by the primary member at time of sign-up. within 2 weeks after successful sign-up and enrollment in auto renewal. Costco is not liable for incentives not received due to entry of an invalid address during sign-up.

*Use the provided single-use promo code when entering your payment information. (Note: You will see a $0.01 deduction on your membership cost after the promo code is entered. This indicates that your promo code has been successfully processed so your incentive will be emailed.) New members will not receive the promotion if the provided code is not entered at checkout when purchasing the membership.

How to Get a Costco Membership for Free