Costco is giving away free $20 or $40 shop cards for new members
NEW COSTCO MEMBER BENEFIT: Through March 1, sign up for a new Costco Gold Star membership for $65 and get a free $20 Costco shop card. New Costco Executive memberships cost $130 and come with a free $40 Costco shop card.
Costco is a playground for adults. It's perhaps the only place we can stock up on affordable toilet paper that'll last for a year, get a rotisserie chicken for dinner, buy a bag of potato chips large enough for a football game party, and fill up on the infamous $1.50 hot dog combo. But the only issue with Costco is that you have to pay to play. The warehouse requires a membership to enter the magical gates, but there's a great sale happening for new members.
Through March 1, new members can get a free $20 Costco shop card when signing up for the $65 per year Costco Gold Star membership. Those who sign up for the Costco Executive membership will get a free $40 Costco shop card for investing in the $130 per year membership.
To qualify for this deal, you'll need to be a new Costco member. Costco considers this to be anyone who hasn't had a membership in the last 18 months, including primary members or those part of a household membership.
The Costco Gold Star membership gains you access to shop in-store at the warehouse or online at Costco.com. The Executive membership comes with extra perks like getting into the warehouse an hour before Gold Star members, a $10 monthly credit on same-day delivery orders, and a 2% reward on eligible purchases. Both types of memberships give you access to two cards, so you can invite someone from your family or a friend to join in on your membership.
If you've never had the delight of entering a Costco warehouse, you're in for a real shopping treat. The bulk retailer sells everything from Apple products to Ninja kitchen appliances to massive TVs. Of course, there's also the deli, bakery, plentiful clothing selection, mattresses, and so much bulk food. You've always wanted to own 100 tortillas, right?
On top of the massive selection, Costco often has unique sales that you won't be able to find at any other retailer. Gift cards, for example, are a great deal at Costco. Two $50 gift cards for Gap Inc. brands (Gap, Old Navy, Athleta, and Banana Republic) are selling for $79.99 instead of the standard $100. Or just in time for Valentine's Day, Costco has two See's Candies $25 gift cards for $38.99, instead of the standard $50 price.
If you've been considering signing up for a Costco membership, the free shop card offer means your membership fee is significantly reduced. The $65 per year Gold Star membership comes with a free $20 shop card, and the $130 per year Costco Executive membership earns you a free $40 Costco shop card. In either case, you're getting free money to spend on your next trip. Sign up before March 1 to get these savings.
Lauren Allain is a freelance journalist covering deals at Mashable. She graduated from Western Washington University with a B.A. in journalism and holds an M.B.A from Webster Leiden. You can find more of her work online from publications including Reader’s Digest, U.S. News & World Report, Seattle Refined, and more. When she’s not writing, Lauren prefers to be outside hiking, bouldering, swimming, or searching for the perfect location for all three.
