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Costco Membership Calculator: Is Executive Worth It?

Enter what you spend at Costco each month to see if the Executive membership pays off, how big your 2% reward would be, and your break-even point.

How to use the Costco Membership Calculator

  1. Enter how much you spend at Costco in a typical month.
  2. Read the answer at the top. It tells you if Executive or Gold Star is the better deal.
  3. Check your yearly 2% reward and the break-even amount below it.

How the Costco calculator works

  • Gold Star costs $65 a year. Executive costs $130 a year, which is $65 more.
  • Executive members get a 2% reward on most purchases, capped at $1,250 a year.
  • The break-even point is $65 ÷ 2% = $3,250 a year.
Monthly spending Yearly 2% reward Executive vs Gold Star
$150 $36 Gold Star is better
$271 $65 Break even
$400 $96 Executive saves about $31
$600 $144 Executive saves about $79

For the full picture, read our guide on whether a Costco membership is worth it. If it is not for you, here is how to cancel Costco and get your fee back.

Frequently asked questions

How much do I need to spend at Costco for Executive to be worth it?

About $3,250 a year, or roughly $271 a month. At that point, the 2% reward equals the extra $65 you pay for Executive.

Can I lose money by upgrading to Executive?

Costco lets you downgrade back to Gold Star and refunds the upgrade fee, minus any 2% reward you already earned. This makes it low risk to try.

What purchases do not earn the 2% reward?

Some purchases, such as gas and tobacco, and certain services do not count. Check Costco's current list before you decide.

Learn more

Everyday Solutions

How to Cancel Costco Membership and Get a Full Refund

Learn how to cancel your Costco membership in a warehouse or by phone, how the refund works, what happens to Executive rewards, and how to just turn off auto-renew.

4 min read