Signing up for a Costco membership comes with many perks. One of them is the ability to buy fuel at Costco gas stations.
Costco gas offers a lot of advantages over other gas stations, including those run by Sam's Club. In fact, here are three of the biggest benefits of buying gas at Costco that you should know about.
1. Costco gas is offered at a great price
The single biggest benefit of buying gas at Costco is that you can get your fuel at a much cheaper price than you would be able to if you shopped elsewhere.
Although the exact amount of savings you'll get varies based on your location and the specific club you're shopping at, you'll typically save around $0.20 per gallon at Costco according to most online reports.
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Most cars hold between 10.5 and 18.5 gallons of gas. If your car is somewhere in the middle of this range and you fill up a 14-gallon tank, you'd save about $2.80 every single time you gas up over the course of the year. That can add up to a hefty sum -- close to $150 if you gas up every week. That's a lot of extra money in your bank account.
2. Costco gas is higher quality than many competitors
So, gas at Costco is cheaper, but is it decent fuel? Absolutely.
In fact, the quality of Costco's gas is another big reason why you should fuel up at the warehouse club. Kirkland Signature Gasoline is TOP TIER™ certified, which means it meets stringent performance standards.
Using TOP TIER™ gas can reduce valve damage, sticking valves, and fouled plugs. It can help you maintain a clean engine, and it can help in preserving your vehicle's fuel economy. It's even better for the environment.
Sam's Club, unfortunately, is not TOP TIER™ and the gas at many other stations you'll visit also doesn't have this classification. While gas certified to meet the TOP TIER™ performance standards usually costs more, that's not the case at Costco. And car experts have reported it's worth the extra money to buy this certified gas. So getting it at a price that's actually discounted is a real steal.
Finally, the last big benefit of buying gas at Costco is that it's convenient to do so.
Costco gas stations are located by Costco stores, and Costco has taken pains to make it more easily accessible by setting up the stations so the traffic flow is one way, making it faster and easier to get in and out.
You can pop into the gas station, then run into the club to pick up a hot dog and soda combo for lunch or to grab some bulk household items that you'd been running out of.
Since you'll probably visit the warehouse club more often if you're buying gas there than you would otherwise, this makes it easier for you to take advantage of the savings that Costco provides on other products. You'll get more value from your membership and perhaps slash your grocery bill, since you'll be buying more items at the discounted prices on offer.
For each of these three reasons, Costco members should try to fill up their tanks at Costco as often as they can. It doesn't pay to go miles out of your way to do so -- but if you can plan strategically to get gas there when you happen to be in the area, doing so is undoubtedly a smart move for your budget.
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FAQs
Buying gas at Costco can save you money -- typical savings are around $0.20 per gallon. It makes stopping at the warehouse club more convenient -- you can buy groceries and fuel up your car. The higher quality of Costco gas could help your vehicle run more smoothly.
What are the benefits of getting gas at Costco? ›
It's good for your car
The fact that gas is cheaper at Costco doesn't mean it's lower in quality. The company offers Kirkland Signature gasoline, which is formulated to improve vehicle performance and fuel economy. Costco says the gas also reduces emissions, making it better for the environment.
Why is Costco gas better? ›
Costco has closely studied fuel additives and engine deposits, and conducted extensive engine tests at nationally-recognized laboratories. Accordingly, we decided to increase the detergent additives in our fuel to provide a better value to our members.
Is Costco worth it just for gas? ›
Lastly, the gas prices are pretty great at Costco.
I live a nomadic life so I drive a lot and always look for the cheapest gas. Most recently I saved 38 cents a gallon at Costco compared to the other gas stations in the area. That adds up to me saving a few hundred dollars a year on gas by choosing Costco.
How much do people save on gas from Costco? ›
That's because Costco loyalists know there's no better place to buy gasoline than at the wholesale giant's pumps, which regularly undercut the competition. “You save approximately 20 cents a gallon at Costco over other local vendors,” says David Schwartz, who together with his wife Susan authored “The Joy of Costco”.
What are the benefits of Costco? ›
Here's a summary of the benefits:
- No annual fee.
- 2% cash back on Costco and Costco.com purchases.
- 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases.
- 4% cash back at Costco Gas, and EV charging.
Not only is Costco's hourly wage fairly generous, but in addition, Costco employees are eligible for what Galanti described as a "very rich healthcare plan." Plus, Costco employees are entitled to a 401(k) plan contribution on the company's part.
Why does everyone like Costco gas? ›
Quality gas is important, yes, but so is price. Costco Gas Stations offer consistently low, member-exclusive prices. With the Costco app, you can check Costco gas prices on your phone. On the app, find your local warehouse to see hours of operation, gas prices and more warehouse details.
Why is Costco gas cheaper than everywhere else? ›
Simply put, you have to be a member in order to buy gas at Costco, and its gas stations are a daily reminder of that to traffic. Costco makes the bulk of its profits on membership fees -- not on markups inside its stores.
Is Costco fuel any good? ›
Costco fuel stations are well-maintained by our capable attendants so you may be confident that the fuel going into your car is clean. Costco uses fuel filters in the petrol pumps to catch particles or debris larger than 10 microns in diameter. For comparison, the average human hair is seventy microns thick.
The primary benefit of the executive membership is scoring 2% back on Costco purchases. Certain purchases don't qualify for cash back, including gas, stamps, and vehicles.
Does Costco make money from gas? ›
Gas has actually been a profit center for Costco, but Galanti defends that because of what the company does with much of the money it makes selling gas.
What is the best day to buy gas at Costco? ›
Gas stations can get busy (avoid weekends)
Avoid weekend fill-ups if you can. Buying gas on a weekend could be a nightmare, as waiting times could take hours. To avoid this, the best time to get gas at Costco is on weekdays between 10-11 in the morning.
What is the benefit of getting gas at Costco? ›
Buying gas at Costco can save you money -- typical savings are around $0.20 per gallon. It makes stopping at the warehouse club more convenient -- you can buy groceries and fuel up your car. The higher quality of Costco gas could help your vehicle run more smoothly.
Is Costco fuel cheaper? ›
Drivers filling up at Costco will generally save more than £6.50 a tank compared to a supermarket. RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “Drivers who aren't fortunate enough to be members of Costco will no doubt be horrified to see just how cheaply fuel can be sold.
Can I really save money at Costco? ›
Even if you only save $5 on groceries every other week, that's $130 in savings after a year, which more than justifies the $60 cost of a membership. And remember, once you join Costco, you'll be privy to great prices on items you probably don't buy every week, like clothing and electronics.
Does Costco give rewards on gas? ›
You'll get 4% back on eligible gasoline purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter. You'll also earn 3% on restaurants and eligible travel purchases, including Costco Travel. Get 2% back on all eligible purchases from Costco and Costco.com and 1% on all other purchases.
What are the benefits of Citi Costco gas card? ›
You'll earn 4% cash back rewards on eligible gas and EV charging credit card spending worldwide, including gas and EV charging at Costco, for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter.
Is a Costco membership worth it just for gas on Reddit? ›
Gas and the food court also make the membership well worth it! If OP has a car it becomes a no brainer for the gas alone. It's crazy how good their prices are. You don't need a membership to go to the food court, apparently.
