A basic Costco membership costs $60 a year—but this coveted card also gives you access to Costco’s top travel deals, tech support, pharmacy and optical, and, of course, its legendary food court. But if you asked shoppers what the biggest perk is, it might be Costco’s gas stations. The warehouse offers exclusive member-only fuel prices that are up to 70 cents cheaper than other gas stations. In other words, Costco membership basically pays for itself. Read on to find out why Costco gas stations are the “very best,” according to shoppers.
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Customers say the customer service at Costco gas stations is second to none. In a Reddit thread about Costco gas stations, one member noted that Costco has “employees walking around the station all the time” to make sure everything is quick, orderly, and safe.
“I like that there is almost always an employee outside. You don’t have to leave your car and go into a store to get help if something goes wrong,” added another.
Elsewhere in the thread, someone said that Costco gas stations are significantly cleaner than other gas stations because of their star staff. A Costco member from New Jersey noted that the attendants also “keep an eye on the lines to direct and avoid traffic.”
According to a FICO report obtained by Experian, there was a 759 percent increase in credit card fraud in 2022 compared to the previous year – with gas station pumps being a very popular target.
Card skimming occurs when a payment reader is tampered with, putting you and your financial information at risk. However, several customers said they never felt at risk at Costco gas stations.
“Safer for my credit cards. To date, no skimmers have been found at my Costco,” one person wrote.
Another shopper said this is due to Costco’s well-trained staff who staff this area.
“The visibility is just too great,” they noted. “I always think it would be harder for someone to install and use a skimmer on their pumps, so I feel better about this.”
A Costco gas station attendant actually responded to this comment by saying, “We also perform a physical inspection of our pumps every hour to ensure they have not been tampered with. No one is more meticulous about this than Costco.”
RELATED: 5 credit cards that experts say will actually save you money on gas.
Costco members don’t have to provide their zip code or phone number, which customers say makes the fueling process easier. One Reddit user said they also appreciated the minimal supermarket advertising on the payment screen.
“What I like best is that I don’t have to enter my zip code to then decline rewards from the local grocery store and then decline rewards through them,” they wrote.
Another member built on this sentiment, adding, “I am far more sensitive to environmental stimuli than I ever wished I was. I hate that unsolicited, unwanted, obnoxious garbage screaming from the gas pump speakers while I frantically press all the buttons to find the one that will mute it… Costco does not use their gas pumps to bombard me with advertisements.”
If you ever come across a Costco pump that does If you want to play elevator music or unwanted advertisements, a third person shared that “the second button from the top on the right side” mutes the noise.
You don’t have to pay a few cents extra to get high-quality gas at Costco. Several customers praised Costco for its “top-quality gas” that’s “extremely good value” for the wallet.
“Top tier additives (not octane) are best at keeping deposits off valves and pistons,” says one comment. “Costco adds the additives at the pump and usually buys the base gasoline from BP, but it depends on the region.”
According to Costco, “The additional fuel cleaning additives we’ve included in our licensed Kirkland Signature formulas help clean your engine and keep your vehicle running at its best. Kirkland Signature Fuel has been certified to meet Top Tier performance standards and is included in every product we sell.”
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Customers say the gas alone at Costco is worth the price of an annual membership. “The best part is the price. I regularly save 60-70 cents per gallon,” said one member.
“That’s the only reason to get a membership,” agreed another. “If Costco is even close to your commute, in a month or two you’ll save enough on gas alone to adjust.”
A third person reported: “Last week, while visiting my parents, I noticed that Costco was charging low prices for mid-range gasoline. I hadn’t noticed that before. Costco’s gasoline is the best.”
