Yahoo Finance Your Costco Membership Fees Could Increase Soon
Stock up on oversized teddy bears, giant apple pies, and Kirkland-brand vodka while they're cheap - a new report predicts that Costco will up its membership fees in the near future.
After meeting with the warehouse club's executives, UBS analysts broke the news that a price hike will likely hit early next year. The basic Gold Star Membership annual fee would jump up $5, from $55 a year to $60, and the Executive Membership would increase from $110 to $120. And that's not the only bulk-buying change. The superstore's exclusive deal with American Express is ending this June, meaning customers will soon be able to pay with Visa cards instead.
Thrifty shoppers should know, however, there's a couple sneaky ways to get around the exclusive criteria. For starters, ask a member to buy you a Costco Cash Card - it functions the same as a gift card, and if you exceed the amount you can supplement it with another payment method. Another option is to show Costco's best deals to another big-box store that'll match their prices, like Target or Best Buy. Or, if a tasty churro is all you're after, take note: The food court is also open to non-members free of charge. More $2 pizza, please!
Don't feel obligated to ditch the membership altogether, though. With $5 rotisserie chickens plus surprising deals on cars and vacations, a Costco membership can be worth the price - just study up on our ultimate Costco shopping guide.
[h/t Chicago Tribune]
