Costco’s Membership Drops to $20 — But Only for a Limited Time

After raising membership prices in September, Costco is now bringing some early holiday cheer with a rare deal: For a limited time, new members can snag a membership for an effective cost of just $20 — a steal that’s hard to pass up.

For a limited time only, if you purchase Costco Gold Star Membership, which currently costs $65, through StackSocial, you will receive a $45 digital Costco Shop Card — bringing your total membership cost down to $20. Costco’s $130 Executive Gold Star Memberships brings the total cost down to $85.

This isn’t a discount but a cash-back-style rebate — meaning you pay the total price upfront, but within a couple of weeks, that $45 arrives via email.

The deal is exclusively available through StackSocial, an online marketplace known for offering exclusive deals and promotions on memberships. Once you purchase the membership, you’ll follow a digital redemption process, and Costco will email the Shop Card within two weeks of joining.

This promo specifically targets new Costco members or anyone who hasn’t held a membership in the past 18 months. Current members or those who’ve recently let their membership expire won’t qualify.

The offer runs until Jan. 31, 2025, and since the $45 card takes up to 14 days to arrive, joining sooner rather than later might make sense for those ready to start the holiday shopping with that extra credit.

With inflation and rising costs, Costco aims to attract budget-conscious shoppers who might not have considered a membership otherwise (similar to how other retailers are slashing prices). This promotion offers new customers a taste of Costco’s bulk deals and popular items at a significantly reduced membership price — just in time for the big holiday shopping push.

For more smart Costco coverage, please sign up for our free newsletters.