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10 insider Costco hacks that you can't afford to miss
Michael KurkoOctober 3, 2025 at 10:47 PM
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10 insider Costco hacks that you can't afford to miss (tsvibrav via Getty Images)
Most shoppers know Costco for its $1.50 hot dog combo, $5 rotisserie chicken and legendary bulk bargains. But the real savings go far beyond supersized cereal boxes and discount toilet paper.
From price tag "cheat codes" to membership-splitting tricks, here are 10 smart Costco hacks that help you squeeze every penny out of everyone's favorite warehouse membership — and keep your wallet full.
1. Crack the secret price codes
Costco's price tags hide a secret language that can save you serious money? All you is how to decode them:
Ends in .97 — clearance alert. These deals are never advertised. It means a manager has marked down this item, and it won't be restocked. Once gone, it's gone for good.
Ends in .00 or .88 — manager's special. These are store-level markdowns, often due to too much inventory or damaged packaging.
Ends in .49 or .79 endings — manufacturer markdowns. These quirky numbers mean the manufacturer — not Costco — is cutting you an exclusive deal.
⭐ Pro tip: Spot an asterisk at the sign's top-right corner? That item's being discontinued — so grab it now, or miss it forever.
🔍 Read more: Think your household's too small for Costco or Sam's Club? We did the math
Getty Images
1-year Costco membership and $100 off at Costco.com
Get $100 off $200 or more at Costco.com with your new Costco Gold Star or Costco Executive Membership through October 27, 2025.
$65 to $130 at Groupon2. Split your membership costs in half
Costco's Gold Star membership jumped to $65 last year. Most are willing to pay the price, but there's no need to shoulder the bill alone.
Every primary cardholder can add one household member for free — perfect for roommates, partners or family members who live with you.
⭐ Shopping with friends? Bring along up to two guests per trip. You'll need to handle the payment at checkout, but your tagalongs can Venmo or Zelle you cash later.
3. Don't skip the tire center
Costco's cult-worthy deals go beyond the bulk snacks. The tire center regularly runs promotions that can knock $80 to $150 off a set of four tires. And installation comes with free lifetime rotations, balancing and flat repairs. If you log a lot of miles, the perks can save you hundreds over the life of your tires.
A bonus? Costco fills your tires with nitrogen instead of air, which maintains pressure longer and can boost your fuel efficiency.
🔍 Read more: This warehouse club is quietly beating Costco for retirees (and it's not BJ's)
4. Shop online without a membership
Not ready to commit to Costco? You can browse and buy on Costco.com without a membership — though with a catch: You'll pay a 5% surcharge on most everything you buy. (That's less than the 10% service fee Sam's Club tacks on for nonmembers.)
The fee can make sense for big-ticket electronics or appliances, especially when you factor in Costco's generous return policy and warranty coverage. That said, Costco often runs promotions offering $30 or more off new memberships and even store credit, effectively cutting your first year's costs in half.
🔍 Read more: No card? No problem. 4 Sam's Club hacks that work without a membership
5. Stack cash back with the Costco Visa
If you're a frequent shopper, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi can turn every purchase into a paycheck. It's among the most generous cashback cards on the market, offering:
4% back on gas and EV charging (up to $7,000 per year, then 1%)
3% back on restaurants and travel
2% back at Costco and Costco.com
1% back on everything else
⭐ Pro tip: Pair the card with an Executive Membership ($120 a year), and you'll earn 2% back on Costco purchases on top of the card's 2% rewards — that's 4% back on every Costco run. For regular shoppers, that $60 membership upgrade pays for itself.
🔍 Read more: Best cashback credit cards to save on groceries, gas and more
6. Hunt seasonal clearance like a pro
Costco is aggressive about moving inventory, which means steep discounts on out-of-season clothing and other items.
Shop patio sets and outdoor furniture in late August, winter gear in March or holiday toys and gifts in January — you'll find markdowns of 50% or more on things you'll use next year.
⭐ Pro tip: Hit your warehouse on weekday mornings, before the lunch rush. Clearance shelves get picked over fast, and they're likely to be stocked before then.
7. Use the pharmacy and optical — no membership needed
Here's a little-known loophole: You don't need a membership to use Costco's pharmacy or optical center.
Prescription medications, flu shots and eye exams often significantly less than at CVS or Rite-Aid. You can also get glasses and contacts at competitive prices. Just walk in and ask.
🔍 Read more: 6 simple ways to save money on your prescriptions — without skipping your meds
8. Master the Kirkland Signature strategy
Costco's Kirkland Signature brand consistently punches above its weight. That's because many of its private-label items are made by the same companies behind your favorite name brands, just without the markup. Kirkland batteries come from Duracell's factories, its high-quality vodka rivals premium brands and staples like organic peanut butter and olive oil deliver quality that matches or beats national brands.
Worth noting: Not every Kirkland item is created equal. Check the per-unit price against name brands, especially when they're on sale — you might be surprised to find the national brand is cheaper.
🔍 Read more: 4 unexpected money lessons hiding in your Costco membership
9. Book your vacation through Costco Travel
Costco isn't just for bulk buys — its travel program offers surprisingly competitive deals for your next vacation. Through Costco Travel, members can book bundled packages for cruises, rental cars, hotels and all-inclusive resorts, often kicking in extras like resort credits, free second drivers, hotel breakfasts and room upgrades.
While Costco Travel shines on vacation packages and cruises, it's worth cross-checking prices for standalone flights and hotels. À la carte bookings might be cheaper through Google Flights, Kayak or even your favorite airline.
🔍 Read more: Can Costco Travel save you money? I dug around and found out
10. Stock up on discounted gift cards
Costco regularly sells gift cards under face value — a simple way to save money on purchases you're making anyway.
We've found $100 Uber and Uber Eats cards sold for $79.99, while DoorDash, iTunes and restaurant chains (think: TGI Friday's, California Pizza Kitchen and Romano's Macaroni Grill) offer discounts of up to 20%, turning everyday spending into instant savings.
🔍 Read more: 20+ clever ways to stretch your dollar (that actually work!)
Bottom line: Smart strategies beat bulk buying
If you're only loading up on bulk groceries and toilet paper, you're scratching the surface of what Costco offers. From cracking price tags codes to booking discounted travel, these insider strategies can easily save you hundreds beyond your $65 membership fee.
The real hack isn't buying bigger — it's shopping strategically.
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About the writer
Michael Kurko is a finance writer and editor who covers investing, real estate, personal budgeting and financial literacy. His expertise has been featured in FinanceBuzz, The Balance, Investopedia, U.S. News & World Report and Forbes Advisor, among other top financial publications. In addition to his work in finance, Michael is also a freelance book editor and fiction writer. He strives to make complex money topics clear and approachable so readers can make informed decisions and build lasting financial confidence.
Article edited by Kelly Suzan Waggoner
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