Eight little-known benefits of Costco membership: from discounted tickets to free technical support

First submission 09-12 22:05

Update time 09-13 07:14

There are many reasons to love Costco. Affordable prices on groceries, drinks and household items are the main reasons that keep customers coming back. (Reuters)

[Financial Channel/Comprehensive Report] Costco has a more loyal fan base than most supermarkets, and various data from its huge retailers also confirm this. In its 2025 annual report, Costco had 145 million card members. There are many reasons to love Costco. Affordable prices on groceries, drinks and household items are the main reasons that keep customers coming back.

However, Costco also has many little-known benefits that, if you know them, can pay off handsomely and make it easier to renew your membership every year. In addition to buying groceries in bulk that you're already familiar with, here are eight ways to make the most of your Costco membership.

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1. Get lower event ticket prices

Costco sells discounted tickets to sporting events, concerts and family entertainment events through a third-party partnership with ticketing platform Fevo. While not all concerts or football games can be booked through Costco, it's worth checking the site's inventory to see if you can snag cheaper tickets to, say, an LA Galaxy football game, a New York Mets baseball game or a Disney On Ice show.

2. Book your next vacation with Costco

Costco's online travel platform, known simply as Costco Travel, which provides bookings for flights, hotels, cruises and rental cars, has been in operation for 26 years, but it remains one of the lesser-known services the company offers. Advocates of the travel booking service took to Facebook to praise the thousands of dollars in savings and praise Costco Travel's customer service.

Costco Travel works similarly to other travel booking services such as Expedia, but Costco is able to offer better prices because of its purchasing power and the advantage of packaged itineraries.

3. Get discounts on checks and office supplies

Not everyone uses checks these days, but if you still do, the high price of buying them directly from the bank can add up to a significant expense. You can save about half the cost by ordering checks through Costco's partnership with Harland Clarke. In addition, other office supplies, such as envelopes and address labels, are available at great prices on the Costco website or in Costco business centers.

4. Save money on prescription drugs

You don't need to be a Costco member to get discounts on prescription drugs at its pharmacies. The retailer's customer service confirmed that anyone can use its online or offline pharmacies and enjoy related offers. If you are not a member, simply inform the front desk staff that you are coming to use the pharmacy.

Users on Reddit reported that Costco has lower prices on many prescription drugs, especially pet drugs. Costco is also a great place to shop for hearing aids, with customers saying they can save thousands of dollars on hearing aids from the big-box retailer and get perks like longer trials.

5. Customized holiday cards, stationery, etc.

Planning to send a bunch of holiday cards this year? Costco has partnered with Shutterfly to provide members with a 51% discount on Shutterfly products, and free shipping when you spend $30 or more. In addition to holiday cards, Shutterfly also sells everything from custom mugs to business cards, photo albums and Christmas decorations. As long as you're a Costco member, you can even buy wall décor to decorate your home at Shutterfly and get discounts.

6. Shop for your next appliance at Costco

When you need to replace a major appliance or add furniture to your new home for the first time, Costco is the place to go. Large household items such as new mattresses, dishwashers, refrigerators, and even wine cabinets can be purchased at Costco's member-only warehouse supermarkets at lower prices. Costco's brick-and-mortar stores typically carry only a small selection of appliances, but its online store has a much richer inventory.

If you buy any home appliances or mattresses at Costco, you can enjoy free delivery and installation services, and store staff will also help you remove your old items. These services alone can cost hundreds of dollars at traditional retailers. Plus, you save money on the price of the product itself.

7. Take advantage of free technical support

If you buy a TV, computer or other electronic equipment at Costco, you can enjoy free technical support. This service provides telephone support from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Costco's support is not limited to technical aspects. The Costco technical support website also provides troubleshooting resources for home appliances and hearing aids.

8. Buy your next car at a discount

You can buy cars through Costco. Costco Auto Project sells new and used cars, RVs, and even provides parts and service. Similar to Costco's grocery and travel services, the chain uses its purchasing advantage to get better prices for customers. In the case of cars, this means you don't have to haggle with the dealer in person to get the discount.

Costco members can enjoy 15% off on auto parts, accessories and scheduled repair services at participating repair centers. While prices vary, customers who buy a new car through the Costco Auto Program can typically save about $1,000.

Another way for members to save money is to buy tires at Costco. Installation is free, as are services such as tire rotation and dynamic balancing.

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