My Costco Membership Has More Than Paid for Itself in a Year

A year ago, I joined Costco to save on household basics like Skinny Pop, Olay night cream, and toilet paper.

They offer two membership tiers, each with different benefits and pricing. Since I already belong to another warehouse club, I opted for the more budget-friendly $65 Gold Star option, which includes two membership cards (their Executive level is $130/year). I was eager to see if Costco lived up to its hype.

What surprised me was how quickly our membership paid for itself in unexpected ways. My husband and I ended up saving hundreds of dollars on several big-ticket items we hadn’t planned on buying through Costco: a new dishwasher, wall-to-wall carpeting, and a week-long car rental. After reading positive Reddit reviews online, we plan to buy a bed there next.

We ordered our dishwasher online from Costco’s easy-to-navigate website

When our 10-year-old dishwasher suddenly gave out one night, we decided it wasn’t worth fixing. At that age (along with previous issues we’d had), a replacement just made more sense.

I planned to comparison shop later that week at a few home-improvement stores, but in the meantime, I browsed online to get a sense of pricing. Several sites showed models that were either unavailable for several weeks, the wrong color, or vague about the total installation price.

Then I thought to click on Costco. They not only had the best selection and easiest navigation, but the total cost, including labor, delivery, and installation, was crystal clear.

Their price was competitive, but the clarity was what sold us. A few clicks later, our new GE dishwasher was on its way, complete with a two-year warranty and my favorite feature: a third rack for cutlery.

A sales rep came to our home with carpet samples and helped pick the perfect color

Next on my list of home improvements was our carpet. Years of wear and tear from teenagers and dogs had left their mark, and with the kids now grown, it was time for an upgrade. However, I found carpet stores to be overwhelming — there were so many choices and too many textures — and when my husband and I tried checking out samples at a big-box retailer, we couldn’t find anyone to help us.

On my way out of Costco one day, I saw a row of kiosks promoting their lesser-known offerings, such as flooring, garage doors, and vacation deals. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Costco partners with Shaw Floors and offers a complimentary in-home consultation.

Later that afternoon, I filled out a form online, and within days, a knowledgeable rep showed up at our house with a trunk full of samples. He measured our rooms with a laser, laid out several plush swatches, and helped me pick out the perfect color, advising that colors look lighter once down on the floor. Before leaving, he gave us a clear, upfront quote.

The price felt like a great value, plus there was 12-month, no-interest financing available. Best of all, we got an $800 Costco gift card, based on our purchase price, just for using their service. On the day of installation, the crew expertly moved heavy furniture out of the way and then back into place. Everything went seamlessly, and the new carpet looks beautiful.

Costco Travel beat every other site on rental car pricing

Before a recent trip, a friend suggested I check Costco Travel for rental car prices before booking anywhere else. I compared rates on Tripadvisor and Travelocity, then individual rental sites, but nothing came close to what Costco was offering.

Not only was their price significantly lower, but I could pick up the car in Washington, D.C., and drop it off in Atlanta with no extra fee, and unlimited mileage. Booking through Costco Travel’s Low Price Finder automatically applied the best available discounts, including ones exclusive to members. No credit card was required to reserve, and the additional driver fee was waived.

I looked under the “Rental Cars” section of the site, entered my membership number, and was able to easily compare price packages from Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Alamo. I chose a compact car through Avis because they had the best price.

Even though the trip fell through, canceling the reservation was effortless, and I’d absolutely book through Costco again.

After 3 wins, we’re eyeing a new bed from Costco

Normally, I wouldn’t consider Costco as a place to buy a bed. But after our positive experiences with major purchases, it’s at the top of my list. They carry top brands — Sealy Posturepedic, Tempur-Pedic, Beautyrest, Casper, and Purple — in addition to their own, and options range from budget-friendly to luxury-level.

Many include white-glove delivery and removal of your old mattress, and a generous return policy. That’s next up on my list.

After a year as a Costco member, I’ve come to appreciate how simple they make big purchases — and the peace of mind that comes with their satisfaction guarantee. These days, I think of the superstore as a go-to for major life expenses, not just pantry restocks. We’ve already signed on for another year.