Join Costco now and get a $45 gift card for holiday shopping

Enjoy members-only savings on groceries, gas, electronics and household essentials. (iStock)

If you've ever walked into Costco for milk and eggs and left with a cart full of household essentials, snacks you didn't know you needed and maybe even a new TV, you know how quickly a shopping list can grow. With holiday gifts and entertaining supplies on the list, too, a little extra spending money can come in handy. The warehouse retailer is a favorite for its bulk savings, affordable gas and members-only prices on groceries, electronics and furniture. 

You'll need a membership to get through the door, though. Here's the good news: Right now, new members can sign up for a Costco Gold Star membership or an Executive Gold Star membership and receive a $45 digital Costco Shop Card to use on future purchases. That means a little extra spending money for your next Costco run.

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Costco Gold Star membership: $65

Each membership includes a free card for someone aged 16 or older in your household. (iStock)

StackSocial: $65

For $65 a year, you'll get access to the retailer's warehouses worldwide, along with members-only pricing on groceries, cleaning supplies, clothing, electronics and more.

You'll also be able to shop online, fill up at Costco gas stations and access Costco Travel, optical and pharmacy services.

The real bonus? A $45 digital Costco Shop Card. Use it for your next grocery haul or holiday gifts. It's like getting $45 in Costco spending money to offset your first year's membership cost.

What you get with your Costco Gold Star membership

• Members-only prices: Shop groceries, electronics, furniture, clothing and household essentials at Costco warehouses and online
• Costco gas stations: Fill up for less
• Free second card: Share your membership with someone 16 or older in your household
• Costco Travel: Browse vacation packages, rental cars, cruises and other travel offerings
• Additional services: Access Costco's pharmacy, optical and hearing aid centers
• $45 digital Costco Shop Card: Get extra shopping credit

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Costco Executive Gold Star membership: $130

Costco will email your $45 digital Shop Card within two weeks. (iStock)

StackSocial: $130

At $130 a year, the Executive Gold Star upgrade includes everything in the standard membership, plus perks that make big shopping trips more rewarding.

The biggest is the annual 2% reward on Costco and Costco Travel purchases, up to $1,250 per year, which you can put toward future Costco purchases.

Executive members also get early shopping hours before the store opens to the public and extra benefits on Costco Travel packages. There's even a $10 monthly credit for eligible same-day delivery orders of $150 or more through Costco's Instacart-powered service.

Like the standard membership, the Executive Gold Star comes with a $45 digital Costco Shop Card for new members.

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What you get with your Costco Executive membership

• Earn up to $1,250 annually on qualifying Costco purchases
• Early shopping hours: Beat the crowds with exclusive warehouse shopping hours before regular opening times
• Monthly delivery credit: Receive a $10 credit on same-day delivery orders of $150 or more
• Exclusive service benefits: Additional discounts on Costco services
• Travel benefits: Enjoy perks with Costco Travel vacation packages
• $45 digital Costco Shop Card: Receive shopping credit after redeeming the membership

To qualify, you must not have been a Costco member in the last 18 months. Purchase the membership by Dec. 20, 2026, and redeem it by Jan. 31, 2027. Costco will email your $45 digital Shop Card within two weeks of redemption. 

Nusrat Sultana is an editor and primarily writes and edits commerce content for the Deals section on Fox News.