Is Costco Membership Worth It? Petrol Savings, Cashback & More
Costco Membership Guide: Benefits, Prices, and Is It Worth It?
Costco is a global members-only warehouse that offers groceries, household essentials, electronics, and even fuel at competitive prices. In this guide, I’ll explain the different types of Costco memberships, who they’re best for, and why my family continues to renew ours every year.
Costco Membership Options
According to the official website, Costco offers four types of memberships worldwide. Prices may vary slightly by country, but in Australia, the following options are available:1. Gold Star Membership – $65 per year
- Best for individuals or small households.
- One household card included.
- Allows one primary transaction account.
2. Business Membership – $65 per year
- Designed for business owners.
- Allows two transaction accounts.
- You can add up to six additional cardholders ($65 each).
3. Gold Star Executive Membership – $130 per year
- Includes all the benefits of Gold Star.
- Comes with 2% annual cashback (on eligible purchases, not expired).
- Recommended for people who shop frequently or make large purchases.
4. Business Executive Membership – $130 per year
- Combines Business Membership + Executive benefits.
- Includes 2% cashback and ability to add up to six additional cardholders.
👉 Household benefit: Each primary member can nominate one household member (living at the same address and over 18) to receive their own card at no extra cost.
Can You Bring Guests to Costco?
Officially, Costco members may bring up to two guests when shopping. However, guests are not allowed to pay with their own card – only the member can make purchases.
In practice, many stores are flexible with this rule, but keep in mind that membership is non-transferable and photo verification is now checked at entry.Why We Keep Our Costco Membership
My husband has been a Costco member for over 8 years. Since our household is just the two of us, we don’t buy a lot of fresh food in bulk. Instead, we mainly purchase:
- Kirkland Bath Tissue
- Kirkland Blanched Almond Flour
- Kirkland Signature Frozen Three Berries
- Kirkland Mixed Vegetables (Frozen)
- Nu Pure Sparkling Water (before switching to a SodaStream Terra)
Costco Petrol Savings
Costco fuel is significantly cheaper compared to other petrol stations. Prices can be checked online by location.
💬 For example, on 23 January 2025, Costco premium 98 petrol was $200.7, which was 2–22.2 cents cheaper than nearby stations.Since we own two cars (both requiring 98 premium), here’s the math:
- Filling up 60L per car per week = 120L total.
- Average saving of 5 cents per liter = $6 per week saved.
- Over 52 weeks = $312 yearly savings.
Extra Costco Membership Benefits
1.Generous Return Policy
- Most items can be returned if you’re not satisfied.
- Membership fees are also refundable if you decide Costco isn’t for you.
- Your membership works at any Costco branch around the globe.
- Perfect for families who buy in bulk, or business owners stocking up.
- Some Costco locations also offer optical services, hearing aids, tyre centers, and photo printing.
- Availability depends on your local warehouse.
Is Costco Membership Worth It?
Costco membership is worth it if:
- You have multiple cars and use Costco petrol.
- You shop frequently or in large quantities.
- You run a business that benefits from bulk discounts.
- You want cashback rewards from the Executive Membership.
On the other hand, if you live far from a Costco warehouse or rarely buy in bulk, you may not get as much value.
Final Thoughts
For us, Costco membership easily pays for itself through fuel savings alone. Add in the high-quality Kirkland Signature products, generous returns, and cashback opportunities, and it’s a deal that works for both households and businesses.
👉 If you’ve been considering it, I recommend giving Costco membership a try – with the refund guarantee, there’s nothing to lose..jpg)
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