5 Signs You're Not Taking Full Advantage of Your Costco Membership

Many people join Costco to save money on bulk grocery purchases and household essentials, like cleaning products and paper towels. And if you shop at Costco frequently, it's easy enough to make back your membership fee during the year and come out ahead financially.

A basic Costco membership costs $60 a year, while an Executive membership costs $120. With an Executive membership, you get 2% cash back on your Costco purchases.

Now, the membership fee you hand over to Costco each year, whether it's $60 or $120, is money you may be used to paying. But don't you want to get the best bang for your buck? If these factors apply to you, perhaps you're passing up a number of key benefits that come with a Costco membership.

1. You're not buying gift cards at a steep discount

Costco isn't your only option when it comes to buying gift cards. But at Costco, you can save big on various gift cards' face value for awesome savings.

Right now, for example, you can buy a $500 Southwest Airlines gift card for only $449.99. That's $50 in savings. And if you're a fan of grabbing lunch at Subway, right now, you can snag $75 in gift cards for only $54.99.

These are just a couple of examples. It pays to browse your local Costco and look online to see what other discounted gift cards you can snag.

2. You're not filling up your car when you shop

Costco's gas is, for many people, the cheapest in town. In light of that, it pays to not only start filling up at Costco, but start timing your shopping trips based on when your tank is getting low.

One thing you should know is that Costco gas purchases aren't eligible for 2% back on an Executive membership. But if you swipe a credit card with extra gas rewards, you can drive away with cash back in your pocket.

3. You're not using Costco for tire replacement

Buying tires at Costco isn't just cost-effective initially. Rather, Costco tires can save you money over time.

Costco's tire center gives you access to numerous benefits, including free inflation checks, rotations, and flat repairs. Your tire purchase also comes with a five-year road hazard warranty.

4. You're not using Costco for home services

If you own a home, there may come a point when you need to replace some flooring or put up new window treatments. You may also decide to replace your not-so-functional closet with a better shelving and organization system.

Costco offers all of these services and more via its home installation services. And the great thing about going through Costco is that much of the time, you'll be rewarded in the form of a Costco Shop Card (the store's version of a gift card). If you're getting new floors installed through Costco, for example, and the cost is $5,000, you may be eligible for a $500 Shop Card that covers the cost of your groceries for a month.

5. You're saying no to Kirkland products

Kirkland is Costco's signature brand, and you'll find it on a host of products, from cleaning supplies to baked goods. You may be inclined to pass on Kirkland offerings and stick to the brands you're familiar with. But in doing so, you may be forgoing a lot of savings.

For example, coffee pods by Dunkin' cost $0.58 per pod when you buy them in bulk at Costco.com. You'll pay only $0.32 per pod for Kirkland Signature Coffee Organic Breakfast Blend. 

A Costco membership might offer you a ton of value -- if you use all its perks. So don't overlook these key benefits of a Costco membership. Taking advantage of them could help you get more for your money.