Costco is cracking down on membership sharing – but you can buy your own for $40 right now

Thinking about joining Costco? Or, have you been sharing a membership card with your parents or friends? Now that Costco is starting to crack down on membership sharing (in the coming months, the stores will start scanning cards at the entrance and requiring the member to be present), it’s a good time to invest in your own. And with this deal, when you buy a one-year Gold Star membership through Stack Social, you’ll get a $20 gift card, totally free. That essentially reduces your membership cost to just $40 for the year. (If you prefer the top-tier Costco Executive Gold Star membership, you can get a $40 gift card right now with your membership, too.)

Costco also recently announced plans to increase its Gold Star membership price from $60 to $65 for the year in September, so this is a good time to save before that happens.

This deal is only open to new Costco members, or those whose memberships have been expired for more than 18 months. It’s also only available to US and Puerto Rico customers. While you can purchase a maximum of two memberships, there’s a limit of one per household — so you can keep one, and gift the other. (You can get an additional card for a member of the same household who is over age 18 included, however.) 

I bought this Costco deal myself in November 2023 and can vouch for it. The redemption process was easy: You purchase and redeem the membership online, and pick up your card in any Costco warehouse at the customer service counter (just be prepared to have a photo taken for your card, which I was not). To get your $20 gift card, you enter your email at the time of redemption. My gift card arrived via email within two weeks, and I had the option to scan it on my phone or print it out to use at the store, or online. 

Costco has over 800 locations worldwide — find a warehouse near you here. You can also shop online. Costco members can find everything from groceries to household necessities to electronics to a pharmacy, and more. Members will also get savings on Costco Services, including the Costco Gas Station and Costco Tire Center, and others that can connect you with auto and home insurance, pet insurance, and identity protection. Costco offers travel deals as well, including resort packages and cruises. 

Don’t miss this deal on a one-year Costco Gold Star membership plus a $20 gift card.