If you’ve ever read anything I’ve written for Motley Fool Money, you’ll know I am a Costco superfan. I love all the discounts and exploring the new things that appear in my local warehouse like magic. It’s super awesome!
But, did you know that there are perks to your Costco membership that go well beyond the shopping cart? It’s true. Members get all kinds of bonuses.
Have you ever noticed the little kiosks and displays on the way out of the place? You know, the ones with all the flyers? They tell you about some of the extra benefits of being a Costco member. But I get it, you’re tired by the time you’ve gotten to that point and may hardly notice. So I’m here to tell you about some of the most underrated perks of being a Costco member.
1. Home and installation services
If you’re both a Costco member and a homeowner, I’ve got some news for you. Costco partners with a bunch of local professionals who can help you with home remodeling or upgrading. That’s in addition to selling some building supplies (they’re over by the ladders and housewares), as well as appliances.
For example, your Costco membership includes flooring and carpet, window treatments, and even solar panel installation. These often also come with a Costco Shop Card as a bonus for choosing a Costco-affiliated expert.
Learn more about how you can save even more on home and installation services with our top Costco money-saving strategy.
2. Discounts on new cars
Have you ever been at a car dealership for so long that you thought maybe you’d just get a little cot in the corner and call it your new home? I have, and it was not at all enjoyable. That’s why I was so excited to learn about the Costco Auto Program.
Instead of spending hours upon hours dealing with car dealerships, Costco does all the hard work for you. Not only does it negotiate pricing on popular new and used cars, Costco also offers incentives on specific models, ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. Right now through Jan. 2, 2025, holiday specials are available for new vehicles from Volvo, Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Polestar, but this list can and does change.
Between the discounts and the transparency, you’re not going to want to buy your next car any other way. Forget long waits at the dealership, and let Costco be your automotive wingman. Membership has its benefits.
3. Small business support
Costco offers a range of services for small businesses. That starts with the little things like filling the water cooler and personalized checkbooks. But it also includes much bigger things like access to group plans for medical and dental insurance through the CBC Health Insurance Marketplace for Costco Members.
Payment processing services through Elavon are also available, whether your business is bricks, clicks, or a combination of the two.
In addition to these services, Costco Business Centers sell business-focused bulk products. You can do things like stock a restaurant or fill your office supply closet with more paper products than might be advisable. You can even invest in bulk groceries and beverages for your office kitchen or vending machine business.
Costco: Join for the groceries, stay for the perks
These are just a few of the perks that come with being a Costco member, which is what makes Costco so amazing. There’s literally a perk for everyone if you dig deep enough into the relationships it’s made with other companies. From travel discounts to discounts on pet insurance, it’s just raining discounts up in here.
You can save even more on these many benefits of Costco by paying with one of these cash back cards that will return 2% to 3% of your spending to you. If you have an Executive membership, it will pay an additional 2% back that can be stacked with the rewards you get from these cards.
There are just so many ways to save at Costco, the possibilities are endless.