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You cannot get a Costco Gold Star membership free through the offer reviewed on October 8, 2026. Eligible new members pay the $65 annual fee and receive a $20 Costco Shop Card, making the first-year cost effectively $45 before applicable tax if they can use the card. The offer is conditional, online-only, and may change; confirm Costco’s live terms before joining.
What the Costco Gold Star offer actually saves
Costco’s U.S. joining page displayed a $20 Costco Shop Card for eligible new Gold Star members when checked on October 8, 2026. Gold Star costs $65 per year, plus applicable sales tax, so subtracting the Shop Card’s $20 face value gives an effective $45 first-year cost before tax. That calculation assumes you can use the card at Costco: it is an incentive, not cash back, and Costco’s terms say it is not redeemable for cash except as required by law. The offer page did not state an end date, so availability and terms are not guaranteed beyond the date checked. Check Costco’s current joining offer and terms before signing up.
Who qualifies for the $20 Shop Card
The offer is for new members and people who have not held any Costco membership—primary, household, or affiliate—during the previous 18 months. It is an online-only promotion. If you are unsure whether a prior household or affiliate membership counts, Costco’s terms include those categories, so check eligibility on the joining page before proceeding. Costco’s offer terms control.
How to sign up and receive the card
- Confirm the offer is still displayed. Go to Costco’s U.S. joining page and review the offer terms shown during sign-up.
- Check the 18-month membership rule. You must qualify as a new member under Costco’s lookback, including prior primary, household, and affiliate memberships.
- Enroll in auto-renewal during sign-up. The promotion requires auto-renewal using a Visa credit or debit card, or a Mastercard debit card.
- Pay the membership fee. Budget for $65 plus applicable sales tax. The Shop Card does not reduce the amount charged at sign-up.
- Use a valid email address and watch for the card. Costco says the digital Shop Card is emailed to the primary member within two weeks after successful sign-up and auto-renewal enrollment.
What Gold Star includes
Gold Star costs $65 annually plus applicable sales tax. It includes one free Household Card for a designated household member who is at least 16 years old, and access to Costco warehouses worldwide and Costco.com. The annual fee took effect September 1, 2024, according to Costco’s membership fee announcement. See Costco’s membership comparison for current membership details.
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- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
Gold Star is not the same as Executive
Executive is a separate membership tier that costs $130 annually: the $65 base fee plus a $65 upgrade fee. It includes a 2% reward on qualified Costco purchases, subject to terms and exclusions. That reward is not a Gold Star sign-up discount, and it does not make Gold Star free. Consider Executive only if its qualified-purchase reward and other terms suit your spending; the Shop Card offer discussed here applies to eligible new Gold Star sign-ups.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
Rank #4
- Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- Double check if the URL/website is genuine before entering card details online. Do not provide any gift card details (example: claim code) to someone you do not know or trust. There are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- If you believe that your Card has been lost or stolen, notify Mastercard immediately by calling 1-833-791-7288. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Mastercard Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted, including online. Your Amazon.com Balance cannot be used to purchase Mastercard gift cards.
Rank #3
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
Rank #2
- If they treat wholesale clubs like Disneyland, this card is their dream come true.
- The card is made of 300GSM material, with exquisite workmanship, high quality, smooth writing and no paper jam, making it your first choice
- Every card we create is a singular artwork, ensuring your blessings shine with both warmth and originality.
- Ample blank space inside allows you to pen your own heartfelt thank-you, favorite memories, making your wishes more warm and creative
- Thanks for visiting our shop! If you receive damaged products or other problems, you can contact us.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
