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Not specifically for Black Friday, based on Costco’s current U.S. offer. Costco lists Gold Star membership at $65 a year before applicable tax and offers eligible new members a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card. That makes the first year effectively $45 before tax only if you qualify and later use the full card balance; you still pay the $65 fee upfront. Costco’s offer page does not identify this promotion as a Black Friday deal or say it is limited to Black Friday.
What Costco’s current U.S. Gold Star offer includes
Costco’s U.S. enrollment page lists Gold Star at $65 per year, plus applicable sales tax, and a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card for qualifying new members. The $20 is store credit delivered after signup—not an immediate reduction in the membership fee and not cash. Costco says it emails the card to the Primary Member within two weeks after successful signup and enrollment in auto renewal.
The often-quoted $45 “effective” first-year cost is simply $65 minus $20. It excludes tax and assumes you receive and spend the full Shop Card balance. If you do not qualify, do not receive the card, or cannot use its full value, your effective cost is higher.
Who qualifies for the $20 Shop Card
Costco limits this promotion to new members and people who have not held any Costco membership—Primary, Household, or Affiliate—in the previous 18 months. The offer is not valid for a renewal or an upgrade, cannot be combined with another promotion, and Costco employees are ineligible for new-member promotions.
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#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Enrollment in auto renewal is required. At signup, you must use a Visa credit or debit card, or a Mastercard debit card. Check the live terms on Costco’s enrollment page before joining, since offer conditions can change.
What to know before turning on auto renewal
Auto renewal means Costco will renew the membership and charge the payment method annually until you change the payment method or cancel auto renewal. Since it is a condition of this offer, review the renewal setting and the recurring fee when you sign up. Costco explains how the setting works in its auto-renewal guidance.
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.
What Gold Star covers
Gold Star includes a free Household Card for one person over 16 who lives at the same address as the primary member. The primary member chooses the household cardholder and can change that choice, according to Costco’s household-card guidance. Costco says membership is valid at its locations worldwide.
Gold Star versus Executive
Executive costs $130 a year before tax: the $65 Gold Star membership fee plus a $65 upgrade. It includes a 2% reward on qualified Costco purchases, subject to terms. The reward applies to Executive, not Gold Star; whether the upgrade is worthwhile depends on your eligible spending and the applicable reward terms.
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.
| Membership | Annual fee before tax | What the cited Costco information establishes |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Star | $65 | One free Household Card; Costco’s current U.S. offer lists a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card for eligible new members. |
| Executive | $130 | Gold Star membership plus a $65 upgrade; 2% reward on qualified purchases, subject to terms. Costco’s membership comparison does not establish the same Shop Card offer for every Executive signup. |
Fees and reward details are from Costco’s membership comparison; confirm current terms before choosing a tier.
Does this offer apply in Canada?
No conclusion about Canada follows from the U.S. offer. Costco Canada advertises separate membership promotions with their own terms, currency, and deadlines. For example, its Canadian membership program page reported a Gold Star voucher offer expiring December 20, 2026. Check the Canadian page for current availability rather than applying U.S. prices or eligibility rules.
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.
Bottom line on the Black Friday claim
As of October 4, 2026, Costco’s official U.S. join page supports describing this as a current new-member offer, not a Black Friday-specific promotion. If you qualify, receive and fully use the $20 Shop Card, Gold Star’s first-year cost works out to $45 before tax—but you pay $65 upfront, and auto renewal creates a recurring annual charge unless you change or cancel it.
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.
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.
