The renowned American warehouse chain store, Costco, known for its discounted products, offers a plethora of easily overlooked free or discounted services as part of its membership benefits. From free household cards, hearing tests, lifetime tire maintenance, to partnership programs for tickets, checks, photo printing, and car purchases, savvy members can actually recoup their annual fee through savings.
According to a report by the American consumer website “Cheapism” on September 21st and the current terms on the official Costco website, here are 14 membership perks:
1. Free Household Card
Primary cardholders can apply for a free “Household Card” for household members aged 16 and above living at the same address, allowing the designated member independent access to Costco without an additional membership fee.
2. Free In-store Samples
Costco stores offer in-store sampling stations for members to try products before purchasing in bulk, but the offerings and schedules vary by store.
3. Free Hearing Tests
At Costco stores with a Hearing Aid Center, members aged 18 and above can schedule free hearing tests including evaluations and hearing threshold measurements, even if they are not planning to purchase hearing aids immediately.
4. Free Hearing Aid After-sales Service
Purchasers of hearing aids from Costco are also entitled to free follow-up services, without additional charges; however, this offer is only available for hearing aids bought from Costco.
5. Free Technical Support for Electronics and Appliances
Qualifying electronic products such as TVs, projectors, desktop computers, laptops, tablets, cameras, home theater systems, and printers are eligible for free technical support services provided by Costco, with most products covered for the duration of their use.
6. Additional 2-year Warranty
For eligible TVs, projectors, computers, and major appliances, Costco’s Technical and Warranty Services extend the manufacturer’s warranty up to 2 years from the purchase or delivery date; however, certain exclusions apply and vary by product.
7. Free Tire Installation
Tires purchased through Costco’s Tire Center include free installation, nitrogen inflation, and a 5-year road hazard warranty; additional fees may apply for certain parts like specific Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) components.
8. Free Tire Rotation, Balancing, and Patching
During the tire lifespan, eligible tires can receive free rotation, balancing, and tire pressure checks, and puncture repair adhering to safety standards is also free of charge.
9. Free Additional Driver for Rental Cars
When booking a rental car through Costco Travel, select locations of Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise in the US offer an extra driver at no additional cost; for Canada, this is limited to certain Alamo and Enterprise outlets, with potential fees for drivers under 25 years old.
10. Free Delivery, Basic Installation, and Removal of Old Appliances
Most qualifying appliance orders purchased via Costco online include delivery, necessary installation components, and removal of similar old appliances as part of the service; actual service details vary by product and postal code, with Costco recommending confirmation before checkout.
11. Theater, Concert, and Sports Event Tickets
Costco’s website features a section for “Gift Cards & Tickets” and “Theater & Live Event Tickets,” offering ticket purchases for theater performances, concerts, and sports events, with a focus on “guaranteed seating, member prices, and diverse selection.”
12. Custom Checks
Through a partnership with Harland Clarke (a brand under Vericast), Costco provides ordering services for personal and business checks, tax forms, and related accessories with free standard traceable shipping; high-security checks feature anti-counterfeit elements like holographic foils and thermochromic ink.
13. Photo Printing, Photo Books, and Greeting Card Discounts
Costco collaborates with Shutterfly, offering members a 51% discount on all Shutterfly products (automatically applied at checkout) with free shipping for orders over $30, encompassing services for photo printing, photo books, greeting cards, home decor, and other customizable items.
14. Car Purchase and Parts Service Discounts
Costco members can utilize the Costco Auto Program to purchase new or used cars at a pre-negotiated price through approved dealerships; Costco explicitly states it does not sell cars or engage in individual bargaining, leaving the actual transactions to the dealers. Additionally, members can enjoy a 15% discount on parts, service, and accessories at participating service centers, with a maximum discount of $500 per visit.
While Costco membership is commonly seen as a ticket for shopping deals, the aforementioned services demonstrate that the benefits extend to areas like hearing health, electronics warranty, automotive maintenance, and even tickets and customizable printing products. However, as the eligibility, regional availability, and terms of the services may change at any time, members are advised to refer to the latest terms on the Costco website and those of the collaborating partners before use.