Is the Costco Executive
Membership Worth It?
Already a Costco member? Enter your monthly spend and see whether upgrading to Executive pays off — or if Gold Star is the smarter choice.
Membership fees may be taxed depending on your province, so you may need to spend slightly more to break even.
Most members save ~10–20% on items they'd buy anyway. This is an estimate — adjust to your habits.
alcohol, tobacco, gift cards — excluded from 2% reward
0 = skip drive cost
Other perks you use (not counted in 2% reward)
Your result
Updates as you type
Your regular Costco spending more than covers the fee.
Executive upgrade value
estimated extra value per year vs Gold Star
Annual value
Gold Star fee
Net benefit
Covered by month 4 — then it's pure savings.
Spend ~$3,250+/yr in qualifying purchases and Executive pays for itself.
Savings rate is your estimate, not a Costco-stated fact. Adjust the slider to match your habits.
Executive 2% reward excludes gas, tobacco, alcohol, gift cards, and membership fees.
Fees verified May 31, 2026. Gold Star $65 · Executive $130 · Reward cap $1,250.
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Gold Star vs Executive
The $65 difference
Executive costs $65 more per year than Gold Star. To break even, your 2% annual reward must exceed that $65 upcharge.
The 2% reward
Executive members earn 2% back on most Costco purchases (gas, tobacco, alcohol, and gift cards are excluded). Capped at $1,250/year.
Your break-even point
You need ~$3,250/year in qualifying Costco purchases for the Executive reward to cover its extra cost. Above that, it pays for itself.
Executive membership FAQ
Executive is Costco's upper tier. It costs $130/year (vs $65 for Gold Star) and adds a 2% annual reward on most eligible Costco purchases, capped at $1,250/year.
You need approximately $3,250/year (~$271/month) in qualifying Costco purchases for the 2% reward to cover the $65 upcharge. Above that, Executive pays for itself dollar-for-dollar.
Most in-warehouse and Costco.com purchases count. Excluded: gas station purchases, tobacco, alcohol, gift cards, and your membership fee itself.
Yes — the annual 2% reward is capped at $1,250. You'd need $62,500+ in qualifying annual purchases to hit the cap. Most members never reach it.
Yes. Costco's satisfaction guarantee means you can downgrade to Gold Star at any time and receive a prorated refund of the difference. There's no risk in trying.
The math keeps fees at $65/$130 regardless of province, but when you select Canada we show a note that your province may tax the fee — meaning your effective break-even spend is slightly higher.