Costco Wholesale Corporation, commonly known as Costco, is an American multinational corporation that operates a chain of membership-only warehouse clubs.
It is a multinational corporation founded in 1983 in Seattle, Washington, by James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman.
The company is headquartered in Issaquah, Washington, and since its inception, has grown remarkably, expanding its operations internationally to include locations in Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Mexico, and various other countries.
However, since Costco’s business model operates on a membership-only basis, customers need to purchase an annual membership to be eligible to shop at Costco warehouses.
How to Get a Costco Membership
Here’s a detailed guide on how to get a Costco membership:
Step 1: Choose Your Membership Type
Costco offers several membership options, each catering to different needs and benefits. So, you need to choose one that suits your needs. The primary membership types are:
- Gold Star Membership: With Gold Star Membership, you can shop online and in the warehouse at Costco. It is ideal for individuals and families and the annual fee is $60. You also get 2 membership cards for you and someone in your household with a 100% satisfaction guarantee meaning that Costco will cancel and refund your membership at any time if you are dissatisfied.
- Gold Star Executive Membership: With Gold Star Executive Membership, you get all the benefits that come with the Gold Star membership including an annual 2% reward on eligible Costco and Costco Travel purchases, extra discounts on services, and additional perks. The annual fee is $120.
- Business Membership: Costco Business Membership is designed for business owners and managers and comes with one free household card that allows you to purchase items for resale. The annual fee is $60.
- Business Executive Membership: Costco Business Executive Membership includes all Business Membership benefits with additional benefits of a 2% annual reward on eligible Costco and Costco Travel purchases, extra discounts on services, and additional perks with the annual fee of $120.
Step 2: Sign Up for Membership
Once you’ve decided on the kind of membership you wish to choose, the next step would be to sign up for your chosen membership. You can sign up online through Costco’s official website or in-store.
To sign up for a Costco membership online, follow the procedure below:
- Visit the Costco Website: Go to Costco’s membership page.
- Select Your Membership Type: Click on the type of membership you wish to purchase (Gold Star, Gold Star Executive, Business, or Business Executive) and click on Start Saving or Earning.
- Complete the Application: Fill out the required information, including your name, address, email, and payment details.
- Make Your Payment: Pay the membership fee using a credit or debit card. The fee is $60 or $120 depending on the membership you choose.
- Receive Confirmation: After completing the payment, you will receive a confirmation email with your membership details.
To sign up for a Costco membership in-store, follow the procedure below:
- Visit a Costco Warehouse: Find your nearest Costco location using the Costco warehouse locator.
- Go to the Membership Counter: Once you arrive at the store, head to the membership counter, located near the entrance.
- Select Your Membership Type: Inform the staff of the membership type you wish to purchase (Gold Star, Gold Star Executive, Business, or Business Executive).
- Fill Out the Application: Provide your personal information, such as your name, address, and email.
Payment: Pay the membership fee ($60 or $120) using cash, debit, or credit card. - Receive Your Membership Card: The staff will take your photo and issue your membership card on the spot.
You can use any of these methods to apply for the membership. They’re both good but I prefer the in-store membership application because your membership card will be given to you on the spot unlike when you register online.
However, the online registration is not bad since you will be getting your membership information there as well but you will have to go to Costco warehouse to pick up the card.
Step 3: Activate Your Membership
Just like Costco sign-up, you can activate your membership card online and in-store.
If you signed up online, you’ll need to visit a Costco warehouse to pick up your physical membership card. Bring the confirmation email and a valid photo ID.
After receiving your membership card, you can create an online account on the Costco website to manage your membership and shop online. That is if you want to shop online.
However, you need to make sure that the products you’re shopping for online are eligible for delivery, or else you will have to go to the warehouse to pick up the products.
Step 4: Use Your Membership to Shop
Since you’ve registered and activated your membership, the next step is to start shopping with it. Present your membership card at the entrance of any Costco warehouse to start shopping.
Depending on your membership type, you can get a free household card for another person living at your address. Business members can add additional cardholders for an extra fee.
Don’t forget that Costco memberships are valid for one year from the date of purchase and can be renewed online or in-store.
By following these steps, you can easily obtain a membership and start enjoying the benefits of shopping at one of the largest wholesale retailers in the world.
Nevertheless, it might be better to upgrade to an Executive Membership if you shop at Costco frequently, as the 2% reward can offset the higher membership fee.
Also, look out for occasional promotions where Costco might offer discounts or additional perks for new members, and utilize the various services Costco offers, such as travel bookings, insurance, and financial services, to maximize the value of your membership.
Costco Membership Requirements
The Costco membership requirements are:
- You must be more than 16 years old.
- You must provide personal details such as your name, address, email, and phone number.
- You must pay for the membership and renew it annually.
- As a Household Cardholder, you must present proof that you live in the same address as the primary member.
How to Add Someone to Costco Membership
You can add a household holder or an additional cardholder (Business Membership only) online or in-store.
A household member can be any person over the age of 18 living at the same address as you being the primary member.
Business memberships can include additional cardholders beyond the primary member and the household member for an extra fee.
To add a Household Member or Additional Cardholder Online:
- Log In to Your Costco Account: Go to Costco’s website, click on “Sign In/Register” at the top of the page, and enter your email and password to log in.
- Access Your Account Information: After logging in, click on your name or profile icon at the top right corner. Select “Account” from the drop-down menu.
- Add a Household Member: In the “Account Details” section, find the “Household Cardholder” section. Click on “Add” or “Edit” (depending on whether you’re adding or updating information). Enter the necessary information for the household member (name, email address, etc.). Submit the information.
- Receive Confirmation: Once the information is submitted, the household member can pick up their membership card at any Costco warehouse. They will need to bring a valid photo ID and possibly proof of address.
To add a Household Member or Additional Cardholder In-Store:
- Go to the membership counter at your local Costco warehouse.
- Inform the staff that you want to add a household member or an additional cardholder to your membership.
- Provide the necessary details for the person you’re adding, such as their name, address, and email.
- The new cardholder will need to be present with a valid photo ID and, if necessary, proof of address to verify his/her identity.
- The staff will take the new cardholder’s photo and issue their membership card on the spot.
By following these steps, you can easily add a household member or an additional cardholder to your card, allowing them to enjoy the benefits of shopping at Costco.
If you need to update the information for a household member or additional cardholder, you can follow similar steps online or visit the membership counter at the Costco warehouse.
If you have an Executive Membership, both the primary member and the household member can benefit from the 2% annual reward on eligible Costco purchases.
For Business Memberships, you can add additional cardholders (beyond the free household member) by paying an additional fee per cardholder. Each additional cardholder must be over 18 and associated with the primary member’s business.
Conclusion
You can easily get a Costco membership by choosing a membership that suits your needs, applying for it, and paying the necessary fee needed to obtain the membership. You can sign up for the membership online or via the Costco warehouse.
I recommend going to the Costco warehouse to apply for the membership because once the application is finalized, you will be given your membership card on the spot unlike when you apply online. You will still have to go to the Costco warehouse to collect the physical card.
