Costco is offering eligible new members a $45 Digital Costco Shop Card when they sign up online through December 20, 2026. That could bring the effective first-year cost of a $65 Gold Star membership down to $20 before tax—provided the member uses the full value of the card.
The offer adds an incentive to Costco’s membership perks, but there is an important distinction: the warehouse chain is not cutting its annual fee at checkout. Shoppers still pay the full membership price upfront, and several conditions determine who receives the bonus.
The $45 bonus changes the first-year math
According to Costco’s current online membership offer, a Gold Star membership costs $65 a year, while an Executive membership costs $130, plus applicable sales tax. Eligible shoppers choosing either tier can receive the same $45 Digital Costco Shop Card.
For someone who spends the entire card balance, that works out to an effective $20 first-year cost for Gold Star or $85 for Executive, before tax. It is merchandise credit, not $45 in cash back or a reduction in the membership fee.
Executive membership includes additional benefits, such as early shopping hours and an annual 2% reward on qualifying purchases. But the promotional Shop Card is worth $45 with either membership level, so shoppers should consider whether the extra benefits justify the higher annual price.
Three restrictions shoppers should know
First, the $45 promotion is available online only. Signing up at a warehouse membership counter is not the same as using the advertised online offer.
Second, new members must set up automatic membership renewal when joining, using a Visa credit or debit card or a Mastercard debit card. Costco’s terms say shoppers who decline auto renewal at sign-up will not receive the incentive.
Third, the offer is not for existing members. Costco excludes anyone who has held a Primary, Household or Affiliate membership in the past 18 months. Renewing or upgrading an existing membership does not qualify, and the offer cannot be combined with another promotion.
For qualifying sign-ups, Costco says the digital card will be emailed within two weeks of successful enrollment in automatic renewal. That means shoppers should not expect to spend the promotional credit immediately.
There are limits on where the card works
Costco says Digital Shop Cards can be used for merchandise in its U.S. warehouses and on Costco.com, as well as at Costco locations in Canada and Puerto Rico. However, they are not accepted at U.S. or Canadian food-court kiosks or for Costco same-day delivery orders powered by Instacart.
Automatic renewal deserves attention, too. Unless a member changes the setting, Costco can charge the annual fee again in the renewal month. Costco says members can manage renewal settings online and must turn off auto renewal at least 72 hours before the first day of that month to avoid the recurring charge.
For households already considering Costco, $45 toward future purchases may make joining more attractive. The key is to treat the promotion as store credit with conditions—not as a membership that costs just $20 at the register.
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