Sometimes. It depends on how much you spend at Costco. Executive costs $130 a year plus applicable sales tax, which Costco splits into a $65 membership fee and a $65 upgrade fee. Gold Star costs $65 a year. For the extra, you get an annual 2% Reward on eligible Costco and Costco Travel purchases, up to $1,250 a year, with terms and conditions. You also get early shopping hours, a $10 monthly credit on eligible same-day delivery orders, Executive benefits on select Costco Travel packages and extra value on some Costco services, like the Costco Auto Program, FIGO Pet insurance and PODS Moving & Storage. If your 2% Reward plus the perks you would actually use cover the $65 upgrade fee, it pays for itself. The double guarantee applies to all membership levels, so your membership is backed by a refund, with limitations.
Follow-up questions
What to do
Add up a typical year of your Costco spending, run it through the 2% Reward calculator on Costco's join page and compare the estimate to the $65 upgrade fee. If the estimate falls short and you would not use the other perks, stay on Gold Star.
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See today's priceSources: What is the difference between each type of membership, Join Costco, Costco membership, read Nov. 5, 2026.
