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? ›
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.
Why is Costco fuel better? ›
As our valued member, you can expect Costco to always offer the finest quality products at the best possible price. Gasoline is no exception. Costco has studied both fuel additives and deposits and as a result, has decided to increase the detergent additives in our fuel to provide a better value to members.
Why do people prefer Costco gas? ›
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.
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.
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.
Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi Cash Back Rewards
Earn cash back rewards on purchases wherever Visa® is accepted. 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.
What makes Costco gas different? ›
Deposit control additives - Gasoline
These additives are designed to minimize engine deposits that can affect vehicle performance and emissions. The various proprietary deposit control additive formulations are the main difference between brands of gasoline. All gasoline at Costco contains deposit control additives.
Is Costco fuel watered down? ›
Is the gas you get from Sam's Club or Costco lower quality than gas from a regular gas station? No, in fact it probably comes from the same refinery as the gas in the regular gas station nearby.
Why is Costco so efficient? ›
Buying more from fewer suppliers gives the company even greater bargaining heft, lowering prices further. By limiting its range, Costco can better focus on maintaining quality. Less variety in stores helps it use space more efficiently: its sales per square foot are three times that of Walmart.
Costco's competitive advantage and positioning strategies work hand in hand. Their low prices and high quality attract customers, while the exclusive membership and limited selection keep them coming back. Again, if you invest in a membership, you're very likely to use it.
What is so special about Costco? ›
When compared to other similar retailers, Costco's competitive advantage lies in its own private label, its discount prices, and its membership dues. This has provided customers with a product that they can rely on at low prices.
What are the benefits of buying gas at Costco? ›
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. Most cars hold between 10.5 and 18.5 gallons of 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.
Why is gas so much cheaper at Costco? ›
What's more, membership sales make up 75% of the store's profit. Costco, for instance, is banks on customers signing up for a membership card to get cheap gas. Then, once consumers have the membership, they are likely to look for ways to save money on everything from groceries to electronics.
Do Costco members get a discount on gas? ›
Price check. 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.
How much does a Costco membership save you on gas? ›
If you're able to save $0.17 on 14.5 gallons of gas, each fill-up at Costco saves you around $2.47 compared with getting gas elsewhere. If you're looking to cover your membership fee with gas alone, you'd need to get gas at Costco between 24 and 25 times per year. If you go around twice a month, you'll easily do that.
What does Costco mean by eligible gas? ›
Eligible gas stations include any facilities that assign a merchant category code (MCC) for gas and EV charging stations to its fuel purchases. Costco Credit Card cardholders will get 4% cash back on all eligible purchases up to $7,000 spent each year, and 1% cash back afterwards.
How does the Costco card work for gas? ›
A: Costco Shop Cards are available for purchase with cash or check inside the warehouse. Costco Shop Cards may only be purchased or recharged by members, but with assistance from an attendant to first authorize the pump, anyone can use a Costco Shop Card to pay for fuel.
