Costco Executive Membership is the higher-tier Costco membership for shoppers who spend enough to benefit from its annual 2% Reward and extra member perks. In 2026, the U.S. Executive plan costs $130 per year, including the $65 regular membership fee and a $65 Executive upgrade. It also includes one free Household Card.
The biggest financial benefit is the 2% Reward on qualifying Costco, Costco.com, and eligible Costco Travel purchases, with a maximum annual reward of $1,250. Executive members may also get earlier warehouse shopping hours, a monthly SameDay/Instacart credit, and additional savings through selected Costco Services.
Costco Executive Membership Hours
Executive members may have access to earlier shopping hours at participating U.S. warehouses. Costco’s current published Executive schedule lists:
| Day | Executive shopping hours |
|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 9 a.m.–10 a.m. |
| Saturday | 9 a.m.–9:30 a.m. |
| Sunday | 9 a.m.–10 a.m. |
These are Executive shopping hours, not universal warehouse hours. Costco says hours can vary by warehouse, and members should check their local warehouse’s Store Details for the current schedule and any holiday changes.
This benefit can be useful for shoppers who prefer to visit before regular warehouse traffic gets busy. However, early access should not be assumed at every location because Costco specifically says availability can vary by local warehouse.
Costco Executive Membership Benefits
The main benefits go beyond the 2% Reward.
Annual 2% Reward: Executive members earn approximately 2% on qualifying purchases, subject to Costco’s exclusions and terms. The reward can reach $1,250 per 12-month period.
Costco Travel:
Eligible Costco Travel purchases can contribute to the Executive Reward after the trip is completed, provided the member meets Costco’s requirements.
Earlier shopping:
Participating warehouses may offer dedicated early shopping hours for Executive members.
SameDay/Instacart benefit:
Costco currently lists a $10 monthly credit for eligible orders of $150 or more through SameDay.Costco.com or Costco via Instacart. Terms apply.
Costco Services:
Executive members can receive additional value on selected services, including auto-related programs, insurance, check printing, travel and other services. Costco’s service offerings and discounts can change, so the current terms should be checked before purchasing a service.
Executive-only services in 2026
Costco has also added services specifically marked for Executive members. For example, current Costco Services information lists PODS Moving & Storage with Executive-only savings and Junk Removal with Executive-only pricing in select markets.
These benefits can be valuable for members who use Costco Services, but they should not be treated as automatic cash savings for every Executive member.
Costco Executive Membership Insurance Benefits
Insurance is one area where Executive members can receive benefits beyond the standard membership.
For eligible Costco auto and home insurance policies, Costco currently lists additional Executive benefits that can include:
- Emergency roadside assistance
- Lifetime renewability
- Home glass repair reimbursement
- Home lockout assistance
These benefits are tied to the applicable insurance program and policy terms, not simply to having an Executive card. Coverage, eligibility and availability can vary by state and insurer.
Costco also offers other insurance services, including pet and life insurance. These products are provided through third-party insurers, so Costco does not underwrite the policies or guarantee claims.
Costco Executive Membership New Benefits in 2026
The current Executive package has become more than a simple 2% cash-back program.
Three benefits stand out for members today:
- Earlier shopping hours at participating warehouses.
- $10 monthly credit on qualifying $150+ SameDay/Instacart orders.
- Executive-only service offers, including current moving and storage benefits and other service discounts.
Costco also continues to offer Executive-specific incentives through services such as the Costco Auto Program. These promotions can be temporary, so they should be checked for current eligibility and expiration dates.
Costco Executive Membership Cost
The current U.S. price is $130 per year, plus applicable sales tax. That consists of:
| Membership | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| Gold Star | $65 |
| Executive | $130 |
| Executive upgrade | $65 additional |
The Executive option is therefore a $65 upgrade over Gold Star or Business membership. Members upgrading during an existing membership year can be charged a prorated upgrade fee.
The $130 price has been in effect since the September 2024 membership-fee increase, when Costco also raised the maximum Executive Reward from $1,000 to $1,250.
Costco Executive Membership Card
The Executive membership includes the same basic Costco membership access as other membership levels, plus the Executive benefits.
Each membership includes one free Household Card. The household card can be assigned to someone over age 16 who lives at the same address as the primary member. The household member gets their own membership card rather than sharing the primary member’s physical card.
Costco membership cards are not transferable, so friends or relatives who do not qualify for a Household Card cannot simply use someone else’s card.
Costco Executive Membership vs. Gold Star
The main difference is the extra $65 Executive fee and the benefits that come with it.
| Feature | Gold Star | Executive |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $65 | $130 |
| Costco warehouse access | Yes | Yes |
| Costco.com | Yes | Yes |
| Free Household Card | Yes | Yes |
| 2% Executive Reward | No | Yes |
| Up to $1,250 annual Reward | No | Yes |
| Early shopping hours where offered | No | Yes |
| Additional Executive service benefits | No | Yes |
Gold Star can make more sense for occasional shoppers. Executive is aimed at members who spend enough to make the additional fee worthwhile or who can use its extra service benefits.
Costco Executive Membership Cash Back
The Executive Reward is 2%, but it does not apply to every Costco purchase.
Costco excludes categories such as gasoline, food court purchases, membership fees, Costco Services, taxes and certain other purchases. Some prescription purchases and alcohol purchases can also have specific exclusions depending on the circumstances and state.
The reward begins accumulating after you upgrade. Purchases made before the upgrade do not qualify.
Costco sends the 2% Reward certificate with the renewal statement, generally before the membership renewal date. The reward can be used toward eligible Costco purchases and can also be used to renew the membership at a warehouse.
Is Costco Executive Membership Worth It?
For the 2% Reward alone, the basic break-even point is about $3,250 in qualifying annual purchases.
Why? The Executive upgrade costs $65 more than a standard membership:
$65 ÷ 2% = $3,250
So, if you spend around $3,250 in qualifying purchases during the membership year, the 2% Reward is approximately $65.
That does not mean everyone spending less than $3,250 should avoid Executive. The earlier shopping hours, SameDay/Instacart credit and Executive-only service discounts may add value. Costco also states that the reward is not guaranteed to equal or exceed the $65 upgrade fee.
A practical way to decide is to look at your actual qualifying Costco spending from the previous year rather than your total household spending.
FAQs About Costco Executive Membership
How much is Costco Executive Membership?
The current U.S. Executive Membership fee is $130 per year, plus applicable sales tax. The standard membership is $65, so the Executive upgrade adds $65 annually.
What is the difference between the $60 and $120 Costco membership?
Those are old Costco membership prices. The current U.S. rates are $65 for Gold Star and $130 for Executive. Costco raised the fees in September 2024.
How much do you need to spend to make Costco Executive worth it?
For the 2% Reward alone, you need about $3,250 in qualifying purchases per year to recover the $65 Executive upgrade fee. Other Executive benefits can lower the amount of value you need from purchases alone.
What is the Costco $20 rule?
There is no current official Executive Membership rule called the “$20 rule.” Costco currently advertises a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card for eligible new Gold Star members who meet the offer requirements, while eligible new Executive members can receive a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card. These offers have conditions and are not the same as the Executive 2% Reward.
How much do you have to spend at Costco to get $1,000 back?
At a 2% reward rate, you would need $50,000 in qualifying purchases to earn $1,000. Actual qualifying purchases can differ because Costco excludes certain categories.
Can two people split a Costco membership?
Yes, two people in the same household can use one membership through the primary membership and its free Household Card. The second person must be over 16 and live at the same address. Membership cards themselves cannot be shared between unrelated people.
What are the disadvantages of Costco Executive?
The main disadvantage is the additional $65 annual fee. If your qualifying spending is low, the 2% Reward may not cover that upgrade cost. Some purchases are also excluded from the reward, and some Executive service benefits depend on location, provider, policy or eligibility.
Final Takeaway
Costco Executive Membership costs $130 a year in the U.S. in 2026 and is most useful for people who regularly make qualifying Costco purchases or use Executive-only benefits. The 2% Reward breaks even on the $65 upgrade at roughly $3,250 in qualifying annual spending. Early shopping hours, the current $10 monthly delivery credit and additional Costco Services benefits can provide extra value, but availability and terms can vary.