5 Overlooked Perks of a Costco Membership

Oh, Costco. How do we love thee? Let us count the ways…

There's a lot to love about Costco, like amazing discounts, bulk purchases, and unforgettable baked goods. But perhaps some of the most incredible perks about having a Costco membership are those that you didn't even know were part of the deal.

Sure, Costco memberships can easily pay for themselves thanks to warehouse shopping, but advanced Costco members should be sure to check out these five overlooked perks.

1. Costco's pet pharmacy

Costco's human pharmacy is already well known for its amazing prices on prescription drugs and over-the-counter meds. I originally got my Costco membership thanks to the enormous discount on fluticasone nasal spray, if you can believe that, because it saves me that much every year.

But Costco also has a pet medication pharmacy that can save you a bundle, too. Call or visit your local Costco pharmacy with your pet's medications in hand, and staff can tell you how much you can save on those drugs with your vet's prescription. Then, you can choose to pick up in the building or order them via mail for a small upcharge.

2. Delivery via Instacart

This actually came up the other day in a foodie group I'm in -- someone was saying they couldn't access Costco from where they were because they didn't drive. Thankfully, you can use your Costco membership to get the same products you'd get in-store, but delivered!

Through a partnership with Instacart, Costco members can fill up their carts and have someone pick up their orders and deliver them. You'll owe a tip, but if you're in a time crunch, or simply don't have transportation, it's an option worth exploring. (Make sure to tip extra for every flight of stairs your driver has to climb.)

3. Costco Next

Costco Next offers limited-time deals on name-brand merch from brands that already work with Costco consistently. Instead of buying things from them via Costco, however, you're redirected to the supplier's website directly and given a list of limited-time goods available right now via Costco Next.

You'll have plenty of brands to choose from on the Costco Next list, including Diamondback, where gravel bikes start at just $849 with a Costco membership, Nordicware, with fancy seasonal bundt pans starting under $30, or Anker for eufy Security bundles starting at $260.

4. The Costco Auto program

Costco Auto offers pre-negotiated prices for loads of new and pre-owned vehicles across the nation. The online auto builder tool will allow you to build your future vehicle one spec at a time, and when you're done, you can see the base price, plus additional incentives available only to Costco members. In addition, authorized dealerships have Costco Members-Only price sheets with special prices that you'll find out about when you're shopping in person.

For example, my future blue 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab with a short bed and four-wheel drive transmission comes with a $1,000 Costco-only incentive, above and beyond any other dealer incentives that might be currently offered at the dealership contracted with my Costco. I mean, I have a car that's paid off, but hey, you never know when you're going to win the lottery, and you might as well save $1,000 and then some, just for being a Costco member.

5. Costco Travel

If you're looking for a vacation package, a cruise, a hotel, or just a rental car, Costco Travel has what you need. Whether you want an Alaskan cruise, or an African safari, Costco's got that (the 10-day trip to Botswana starts at just $19,440 per person -- a true bargain).

Kirkland Signature cruises through Azamara, including the Eastern Caribbean Voyage (a 14-day voyage that starts at $1,455 per person and departs Nov. 25, 2024) provide additional perks, like a digital Costco Shop Card with every sailing, as well as a 2% reward for Executive members. You will have to get your own transportation to the port, though.

Resort packages, like the Orlando: Margaritaville Cottages with Walt Disney World Tickets package, including airfare from Springfield-Branson Regional, for Nov. 4, 2024 through Nov. 9, 2024 for two will run you $4,179.02. But that includes a pair of five-day Walt Disney World tickets with the Park Hopper Option, a full-size rental car, and a two-bedroom cottage. There's a lot included for a fair amount of money, but these packages make it easier to plan your vacation budget without any surprises.

Costco literally sells everything

From discount caskets to African safaris, Costco literally sells just about everything. If you can't find it at Costco, well, maybe you don't really need it. But even for the seasoned Costco fan, there are always new things to learn about the wholesaler, including some oft-overlooked perks that can save you tons of money on things you were going to buy anyway.

So, go ahead, ask Costco if it carries that really weird thing you've been looking for forever. It's probably available to members.