How To Downgrade Costco Membership (It Is A Call Away!)

If you’d like to downgrade your Costco membership, call their customer service number 1-800-774-2678 or visit the membership counter. Alternatively, log in to your Costco membership account and click on ‘My Membership’ from the main menu bar. Select the ‘My Profile’ section and change from executive Member to regular Gold star or business member.

Key Takeaways

• Costco executive members will be the best option for you if you make purchases of at least $3,000 per year
• The Costco executive membership will offset the $120 membership fee
• If you are not a frequent shopper, then a Business or regular Gold Star membership plan will be the right option for you
• If you have Costco Executive Membership, then you will get 2% cash back on the total money spent

Is It Worth Subscribing To Costco Executive Membership?

Costco membership is worth it if you are a frequent shopper at Costco. However, if you find yourself forcibly spending at Costco just to reap the benefits, then a Business or regular Gold Star membership is okay for you. But, before you make up your mind, check the benefits of Costco executive membership below:

Benefits Of Costco Executive Membership

2% Cashback On Total Money Spent

As an executive member, you will get 2% cashback on all purchases you make every year. Note that some items such as alcohol are not included in the cashback. So, ensure you spend enough to cover the extra $60 you pay for an annual executive membership subscription. At least make purchases of $3,000 annually, which translates to $250 per month.

If you cannot hit the target of $3,000 a year, then consider a downgrade to a regular Gold Star or business membership.  

Exclusive Discounts And Offer

There are exclusive discounts that you get on services such as mortgage programs, real estate, and insurance when you are an executive member at Costco. For instance, check printing will be done at a discounted cost for you. Some price offers are also available for executive members, which allow you to stack your reward. 

Online Shopping At Costco

Costco membership gives you a chance to shop online at their website without incurring the surcharge fee. Non-members pay a 5% surcharge fee which can exceed the regular membership fee if they are frequent shoppers. Plus, you enjoy other services, such as creating custom photo gifts at your convenience. 

Costco.ca Inserts By Mail And Costco Connection Magazine

Magazines and email inserts may not seem like a big deal. But, being able to get in touch and know the upcoming offers help you to plan well on your purchases. The magazines will therefore help you to get updates on the best deals available online and in-store.

Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Costco Membership

If you feel you are not getting value for your money for Costco membership, maybe you haven’t mastered the hack to make the most out of it. Here are a few tips to maximize your Costco membership:

Plan In Advance For Your Reward

As you spend at Costco stores, anticipate a reward and plan for it. Planning ensures you do not use your reward for impulse buying; rather, for something you need. You can even put the cash reward toward savings or debt. 

Redeem Your Reward

You can use your reward for more shopping at Costco or redeem it as cash at the customer service desk. It is not a must to spend the reward at Costco, and cashing is more fulfilling. 

Use A Credit Card To Make Purchases With Your Reward

Do not use your reward directly if you want to stock up on a few things at Costco. Cash it and then use your credit card. That way, you get 2% cashback which is a bonus on your side. You can then use the cash on your credit card bill or towards savings.

When Is It Best To Downgrade Costco’s Executive Membership?

If the benefit doesn’t cover the fee you pay per year for executive membership; it is time to downgrade to regular Gold star. To get at least $60, which is the difference you pay for executive membership, you must spend $3,000 per year. If you are struggling to reach the target or find yourself buying things just to earn the reward, it is the best time to downgrade. 

Canceling Costco Membership

If downgrading your membership doesn’t make it any better either because you do not use the Costco services or the reward doesn’t match the fee, you can cancel it all the same. Here is how to do it:

How To Cancel Costco Membership

1. Contact Costco customer service center at 1-800-774-2678 for assistance. Making a call helps avoid long queues and the inconvenience of driving to the store.

2. Visit the Costco store near you to speak to a customer service agent. If you prefer face-to-face services, drive to the nearest store for assistance. 

3. Create an account on DoNotPay.com to cancel the Costco membership renewal. Once you log in to your account, click on the hidden money feature and key in Costco as the subscription to cancel. This online method will do the hard work for you with a few clicks.

What Happens If I Don’t Renew My Costco Membership?

If you do not renew your Costco membership on time, the system will automatically backdate the amount due from the expiry date. You will thus end up paying the membership fee for the services you didn’t use. There is no way you can get past the cashier with expired membership, so you will not enjoy discounted prices before you renew. 

Can I Get A Free Or Discounted Costco Membership?

No, Costco does not offer free or discounted membership. However, if you frequently shop at their stores, you will soon discover that their price discounts and offers cover the cost. You also save a lot on other Costco services, which you can use in personal and business life. The membership fee covers the overhead and allows the company to sell its product at a lower margin compared to other stores. 

How Long Does A Costco Membership Last?

Costco membership is valid for one year. After that, you can renew or cancel your membership. If you are considering a downgrade, then doing it upon expiry is the best. Note that if you do not get a reward equivalent to the amount of money you spend on Executive membership, the company will automatically downgrade you to standard membership. 

Which Membership Is Best At Costco?

Your spending habits at Costco dictate the best membership for you. Executive membership is the best package if you spend at least $250 per month, translating to $3,000 per year. The company will give you 2% cashback which is about $60. This means the reward covers the additional fee you incur, and you get to enjoy the additional benefits of the top package.

In contrast, if you spend less than $3,000 per year, you can subscribe to regular Gold Star membership. Though you will not enjoy the benefits of executive members, the regular Gold Star has some good discounts and prices. 

Do Executive Members Get In Early At Costco?

There is no special treatment for Costco executive members in terms of access time. All members can access the store at normal opening hours, and everyone will have to queue for their turn.

Final Word

Costco membership is worth it if you regularly shop at their stores. If you have subscribed to executive membership, but the reward doesn’t outweigh the cost, it is best to downgrade. Contact their customer care desk, visit their store, or log in to your account to downgrade to regular Gold Star membership. Generally, if you do not spend up to $3,000 a year, a standard package works best for you. 

References:

1. https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/boston-university/questrom-school-business
2. https://collegedunia.com/usa/college/2763-questrom-school-of-business-boston

Last Updated on October 22, 2022 by Magalie D.