US fees and reward as set in September 2024: Gold Star $65, Executive $130, 2% back up to $1,250 a year. Change them if yours differ. The savings rate is your own estimate: check a few items you buy every month against your usual store.
Each option per year
How it works
A membership pays when what you save by buying at Costco is more than its fee. Savings are your yearly Costco spend × the share it's cheaper than where you'd otherwise shop. Executive also returns the reward rate on eligible purchases, up to the cap, so the upgrade pays for itself once the reward covers the difference in fees: ($130 − $65) ÷ 2% = $3,250 a year, about $271 a month. Gas, some services and items bought outside the warehouse may earn less or nothing, so leave a margin.
Comparing bulk prices? Price per unit ranks staples by price per ounce, count or sheet, and which pack is cheaper compares pack sizes.