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Costco Executive Membership Gets Major Upgrade: New Benefits Starting June 2025
December 12, 2024
Per news from Doctor of Credit, Costco is improving its Executive membership program with exciting new perks launching June 30, 2025. If you're considering upgrading from the standard Gold Star membership or wondering whether the Executive tier is worth it, these changes might tip the scales.
What's New for Costco Executive Members
Starting at the end of June, Costco Executive members (the $130 annual membership versus the standard $65 Gold Star) will enjoy three key benefits:
Extended Shopping Hours
Executive members will get exclusive access to an additional hour of shopping time each morning before regular members can enter. While this isn't entirely new—Costco offered similar early access in the past—it's a welcome return of a popular perk.
$10 Monthly Instacart Credit
Perhaps the most significant addition is a $10 monthly credit toward Instacart orders over $150. This translates to $120 in annual savings for qualifying purchases.
Enhanced Costco Services Savings
Executive members will receive additional discounts on Costco's various services, including travel, auto, and home improvement offerings.
How Costco's Instacart Credit Compares to Credit Cards
Before getting too excited about the $10 monthly Instacart credit, it's worth comparing this benefit to what's already available through premium credit cards:
Credit Cards with Instacart Benefits
- Annual fee: $550
- Instacart benefit: $60 annual credit ($5 monthly)
- Additional perks: 3x points on dining and travel, airport lounge access, travel insurance
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "510", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "$300 Travel Credit"} ]]
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Annual fee: $395 (see Rates & Fees)
- Instacart benefit: $120 annual credit ($10 monthly, no minimum spend requirement)
- Additional perks: 2x miles on everything, 10x miles on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2888", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Luxurious Travel Benefits"} ]]
The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Annual fee: $695 (see Rates & Fees)
- Uber credits: $200 annually (can be used on Uber Eats and Instacart)
- Additional perks: Extensive travel benefits, hotel status, airline fee credits
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "106", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Points on Flights"} ]]
The Costco Advantage and Disadvantage
Costco's Edge: At $65 extra annually for the Executive upgrade, you're getting $120 in potential Instacart credits plus the 2% cashback on Costco purchases, which often pays for the membership upgrade alone.
The Catch: Costco's $150 minimum spend requirement per month is significant. Many households may struggle to hit $1,800 annually in Instacart orders, especially considering Instacart's markup over in-store prices.
Is the Costco Executive Membership Worth It?
The Math on Executive Membership Value
To break even on the $65 Executive membership upgrade through the 2% cashback alone, you need to spend $3,250 annually at Costco. Add the potential $120 in Instacart credits, and the value proposition becomes compelling for many families.
Who Benefits Most
The Executive membership upgrade makes sense if you:
- Spend $3,000+ annually at Costco
- Regularly use grocery delivery services
- Can consistently hit $150 monthly on Instacart orders
- Value the convenience of early shopping hours
Consider Your Alternatives
If you're primarily interested in Instacart credits, compare the total value:
- Costco Executive: $65 upgrade fee for $120 potential Instacart credit (plus 2% cashback)
- Capital One Venture X: $395 annual fee for $120 Instacart credit (no minimum spend) plus travel rewards
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: $550 annual fee for $60 Instacart credit plus premium travel benefits
Maximizing Your Instacart Savings
Whether you choose the Costco route or a premium credit card, here are ways to maximize your grocery delivery savings:
Stack Discounts
- Purchase discounted Instacart gift cards (Best Buy occasionally offers 10-15% off)
- Use cashback credit cards for gift card purchases
- Look for Instacart promotional codes
Compare Pricing
Remember that Instacart typically charges 10-20% more than in-store prices. Factor this markup into your savings calculations.
Bottom Line
Costco's Executive membership enhancements represent solid value for frequent Costco shoppers who also use grocery delivery services. The combination of 2% cashback, early shopping hours, and Instacart credits can easily justify the $65 upgrade fee.
However, if you're primarily interested in maximizing grocery delivery rewards and don't shop at Costco frequently, premium credit cards like the Capital One Venture X might offer better overall value with their unrestricted Instacart credits and additional earning opportunities.
The key is calculating your actual usage patterns and comparing the total value across all benefits, not just focusing on a single perk.
These benefits launch June 30, 2025, for all Costco Executive members. Current Gold Star members can upgrade at any time to take advantage of these new perks.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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