Costco senior discount & savings (2024)

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Costco is known for providing cost-effective options for groceries and household items. Many people wonder if Costco offers discounts for senior citizens. In this article, we’ll explain Costco’s senior discount policy and offer money-saving tips for everyone, regardless of age.

Does Costco have a senior discount?

As of 2024, Costco does not provide a senior discount. This applies to both membership fees and in-store product prices, which remain consistent for both seniors and younger individuals. Despite the absence of a specific senior discount, Costco offers various benefits and perks that make it an appealing shopping destination for seniors.

One option is the Gold Star membership, which, despite not having a senior discount, does come with exclusive discounts on certain items.

Additionally, seniors can benefit from Costco’s price-matching policy. If they find a lower price for an item at another store, Costco will match it. Free shipping on many items is another advantage, particularly beneficial for seniors who may not live near a physical store.

Furthermore, Costco provides various coupons and promo codes, offering additional opportunities for seniors to save on their purchases. In summary, although Costco doesn’t offer a specific senior discount on membership, there are alternative ways for seniors to enjoy savings at the warehouse club.

What benefits can you get with a Costco membership?

To save money at Costco, you need a Costco membership. A Costco membership provides several benefits for its members including:

• Discounted Membership Fees: Costco offers reduced membership fees, currently set at $60 for a Basic membership and $120 for an Executive membership. These discounts are exclusive to Costco members.
• Exclusive Access: Costco members enjoy access to exclusive products and services that are not available to the general public. This includes a range of merchandise, travel deals, and health and wellness services.
• Refundable Membership Fees: If a member is dissatisfied with their Costco experience, the membership fees are typically refundable, adding a layer of satisfaction guarantee.
• Costco Cash Card Option: Members have the option to sign up for a Costco Cash Card, which functions like a debit card and can be used for purchases at Costco. It can be easily reloaded online or at any Costco warehouse.

Overall, a Costco membership provides a cost-effective way to access discounts on merchandise, travel deals, health and wellness services, and exclusive products and services not available to the general public. For more details or to sign up, individuals can visit the Costco website or contact a Costco representative at 1-800-607-6861.

Does Costco have membership fees for seniors?

Costco does not provide free or discounted memberships specifically for seniors. This means that seniors are required to pay the full membership fees.

The basic Costco membership, known as the Gold Star membership, starts at $60 per year. With this membership, individuals gain entry to Costco, allowing them to take advantage of the various cost-effective deals offered regularly. Additionally, it provides access to Costco services such as Costco Gas, Costco Tire Center, Costco Travel, and Costco Optical.

For those seeking additional benefits, Costco offers an Executive membership at a cost of $120 per year. This upgraded membership includes the perk of earning 2% cash back (up to $1000) annually on qualifying purchases made at Costco and Costco.com.

Other ways to save at Costco

While there are no senior discounts or discounted memberships, Costco provides a special offer for military members and veterans. If you’re a new member and can confirm your military or veteran status, you qualify for a $30 Costco Shop Card sent by mail after registration.

Costco regularly features rotating deals on various products within its warehouses. To stay informed about the current promotions, visit the warehouse savings section on the Costco website.

Moreover, Costco offers a personal credit card called the Costco Anywhere Visa Card. This card allows holders to earn cash back on purchases, including those made on gas, at restaurants, during travel, and on items from Costco and Costco.com. It provides an additional way for Costco members to save money on their purchases.

In addition to these benefits, here are some other ways seniors can save money at Costco:

• Price Adjustment Policy: If you purchase an item and it goes on sale within 30 days, Costco will refund you the price difference.
• Generous Return Policy: Costco has a renowned return policy. Regardless of how much time has passed or whether you have a receipt, you can return any item and receive a full refund.
• Cash Back Rebate: Executive members receive a 2% cash back reward on their Costco purchases throughout the year. While the rebate check is now intended for in-store use, there’s a potential workaround. By buying a low-cost item, you may receive the remaining amount in cash, though the success of this method varies by location.
• Affordable Tires and Services: Costco’s Tire Center, a membership perk, provides access to reasonably priced tires, a significant advantage considering the typically high cost of tires.
• Costco Travel for Vacation Planning: Seniors planning vacations can leverage Costco Travel to save on hotels, cruise packages, and rental cars. Year-round promotions offer access to exceptional deals, making it a valuable resource for budget-conscious travelers.

How to get a Costco membership for seniors

To get a Costco membership, seniors can choose between two methods: in-person or online registration.

In-Person Registration:

1. Visit a Local Costco Warehouse: Go to your nearest Costco Warehouse location.
2. Inform Door Person: If the door person asks for a membership card, explain that you’re there to sign up for a membership.
3. Locate Member Services Desk: The door person can guide you to the member services desk.
4. Express Your Intention: Inform the staff at the member services desk that you want to sign up for a membership.
5. Learn Membership Options: Staff will explain the available options, such as Gold Star and Executive memberships, along with their benefits.
6. Complete Registration: Choose your preferred membership and complete the registration process.
7. Immediate Access: Once registered, you’ll receive your Costco membership card instantly, allowing you to start shopping right away.

Online Registration:

1. Visit Costco’s Join Costco Page: Access the Join Costco page on Costco’s website.
2. Select Membership Level: Choose the membership level you wish to purchase.
3. Fill Out the Form: Complete the “New Sign Up” form and click “Save & Continue.”
4. Follow Prompts: Follow the prompts and enter payment information when prompted.
5. Confirmation Email: Once your membership is confirmed, you’ll receive your membership number via email.
6. Obtain Membership Card: To get your physical membership card, visit your local Costco Warehouse and inquire at the membership counter. This may involve having your photograph taken.
7. Ready to Shop: Once you have your card, you’re all set to start shopping at Costco.

Costco hearing aids

Costco offers an alternative and more affordable option for seniors to purchase hearing aids compared to traditional audiologists. While hearing aids can often be expensive, sometimes exceeding $4,000 per pair, Costco’s in-store hearing centers provide a cost-effective solution. To begin, you can schedule a hearing test with one of Costco’s specialists.

Following the test, the specialist will recommend and fit a pair of hearing aids tailored to your specific hearing loss.

Costco’s hearing aid options include the Kirkland brand, which is manufactured by the same company as Phonak, as well as other reputable brands such as Jabra Enhance, Rexton, and Philips. Remarkably, the cost of these hearing aids at Costco is generally below $2,000 per pair.

Additionally, Costco offers free remote follow-up care to assist users in managing their hearing aids effectively. This combination of affordability and comprehensive services makes Costco a viable and accessible choice for those in need of hearing assistance.

Does Costco still have senior hours?

As of April 18, 2022, Costco no longer offers dedicated senior hours for its most vulnerable customers or those at higher risk of Covid-19 exposure. The decision to discontinue senior hours was made in response to an increase in vaccinations and the easing of strict pandemic measures.

In March 2020, Costco initially introduced an extra hour of shopping specifically for individuals at a high risk of contracting Covid-19, including those with underlying health conditions, disabilities, seniors aged 60 or older, healthcare workers, and first responders. The senior hours allowed these customers to shop during designated times when the stores were less crowded.

According to Costco’s website, the standard senior hours were on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to 10 am for warehouses in the US and Puerto Rico. However, some locations, such as those in Brooklyn, New York, Culver City, California, Iwilei (Honolulu), Hawaii, and Westbury, New York, had special hours from 8 am to 9 am.

These special hours also benefited Costco members working in healthcare, including pharmacists and those with hospital IDs. First responders such as EMTs, police officers, and firefighters were also allowed to shop during these designated senior hours.

Is Costco membership for seniors worth it?

Absolutely. While Costco doesn’t provide a specific discount for seniors, we believe that a Costco membership holds considerable value for older individuals. Despite the absence of formal senior discounts,

Costco’s consistent offering of low prices significantly undercuts competitors. The potential savings extend beyond everyday items to encompass travel and high-cost products, making the membership a substantial benefit.

As you age, the convenience of a one-stop shop like Costco becomes increasingly valuable. This setup saves time and energy, sparing seniors the need to traverse multiple stores to fulfill their shopping lists. At Costco, you can find all your necessities in one place while ensuring cost-effectiveness.

However, it’s important to consider some downsides:

• Bulk Quantities: Costco typically sells items in large quantities, which may be advantageous for large families but might not align with the needs of smaller households or individuals.
• Warehouse Size: The expansive size of Costco warehouses can pose challenges for shoppers with mobility issues, potentially making navigation more difficult.
• Membership Cost vs. Savings: If Costco won’t be your primary shopping destination, the expense of the membership may not be justified by the potential savings, especially if you don’t plan to make bulk purchases.

What is the cheapest Costco membership you can get for seniors?

The most budget-friendly Costco membership option for seniors is the Gold Star membership, priced at $60 annually. With this membership, seniors can enjoy access to Costco Warehouse locations, where they can discover excellent daily deals.

Additionally, Gold Star members have privileges such as access to Costco Gas, Costco Tire Center, Costco Travel, and Costco Optical.

Similar stores with senior discounts

While Costco doesn’t provide senior discounts, there are several other stores where seniors can enjoy discounts on various items such as groceries, clothes, and electronics.

Some examples include Albertsons, AT&T, Belk, Fred Meyer, Publix, Rite Aid, Ross, Safeway, T-Mobile, TJ Maxx, Amazon Prime, Kohl’s, Kroger, Goodwill, Michaels, The UPS Store, and Walgreens. These stores offer special pricing or promotions specifically for senior citizens.

The bottom line

Costco doesn’t provide a senior citizen discount specifically on membership fees. However, seniors can explore other avenues to save money at Costco.

How much is a Costco membership for senior citizens? Costco offers two types of memberships, Gold Star and Executive, with the same prices for all customers, including seniors. The Gold Star membership is $60 annually, and the Executive membership is $120 per year.

While both memberships provide access to Costco’s benefits, Executive members also enjoy an extra perk – 2% cash back on qualifying purchases made at Costco throughout the year.

Becoming a Costco member unlocks a plethora of daily sales and promotions, offering substantial discounts on items like furniture, mattresses, and lawn care equipment, as well as travel packages.