Shopping at warehouse club stores comes at a price: Costco's membership starts at $60, and a basic Sam's Club membership costs $50. But there are plenty of ways to make back the fee while enjoying the perks of membership — and one of the easiest ways doesn't even require you to set foot inside the warehouse. (Not a member? You can apply here for Costco and here for Sam's Club.)
Prices and availability are subject to change.
We're all desperate for ways to save money on gas these days, and it turns out your warehouse-club membership may hold the key. Gas prices at Costco and Sam's are up to 30 cents lower per gallon than traditional gas stations, experts tell CNN. At that rate, a car with a 15-gallon tank would save nearly $4 per fill-up — so by filling up once a week for just four months, you'd make back the price of a Costco membership without even going inside. Of course, the savings vary by location — never assume you're paying bottom dollar at a warehouse club. Double-check price comparison apps and consider gas bonus programs from grocery chains such as Kroger.
It takes less than one pizza a month for the savings to make up the cost of a warehouse club membership. At Domino's, a 16-inch Brooklyn-style pizza costs $12 to $18, depending on location and toppings. The same size pizza costs $9 at Sam's Club and $10 at Costco. With average savings of more than $5 a pizza, buying eight to 11 pizzas a year would cover the membership cost.
Related: How Non-Members Can Shop at Costco
Costco and Sam's Club sell bundles of movie ticket gift cards. Costco offers a $50 Cinemark movie etickets for $40. If you were to buy tickets from the theater the cost for an adult ticket would be $15 — meaning Costco gives you three tickets and change for the price of two tickets and change. Take the family to see five movies this year through Costco and make back your membership cost in the savings. Sam's Club has a range of deals, including two Cinemark admissions for $19, an $11 savings. Buying five sets will more than make back the membership cost.
Buying tires at Costco or Sam's Club can cover the membership fee in savings from tire installation and routine care. The two warehouse clubs ranked first and second in a Cheapism analysis of the best places for tire installation, ahead of BJ’s, Walmart, and three other chains. Both offer mounting and balancing — for $19 a tire at Costco and $20 per tire at Sam's Club. Upkeep for the life of the tire is free, including balancing, rotation, and certain repairs.
Costco sells sets of $100 in restaurant gift cards for $80. The selection varies by location, but some of the cards available online include Macroni Grill, California Pizza Kitchen, and Krispy Kreme. Shoppers who buy three sets make back their membership fee. At Sam's Club, some of the gift card bundles are the same price as the worth of the cards, or just a few dollars less. But the store does offer some deals that include $10 to $20 in savings, including gift cards for Famous Dave's and Golden Corral.
Buying blooms in bulk for a big event can cover the cost of membership in one purchase. At Sam's Club, a bulk order of 100 of its 50-cm roses costs around $80. And, at Costco, 100 roses (sold as orders of 50) would cost $100. The same size orders from online retailer Blooms by the Box cost $331, for "economy" blooms – much more than enough to account for both membership fees.
Savings on big-ticket electronics can make back the membership cost with just one purchase. For example, a Sony 75-inch-class UHD LED LCD Smart TV is $1,000 at Costco while a similar model is $1,400 on Amazon. That savings leaves plenty of money left over even after subtracting the membership fee.
Related: Costco's Return Policy: 28 Products You Can Return With Ease
Costco's upgraded Executive Membership is $120, but shoppers earn 2% of their (qualified) spending in rewards. It takes about $500 a month to make back the membership fee. Shoppers with the $110 Sam's Plus membership get 2% back in cash rewards, up to $500 per year. With cash rewards alone, it takes about $450 a month to recoup the membership fee. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average family spends about $335 a month on "food in the home." That doesn't count clothes, furniture, electronics, and other items shoppers might buy at warehouse clubs, so crossing either threshold is reasonable.
Related: Sam's Club or Costco — Which Has Better Prices & Services?