No. The Costco Gold Star offer in the title—a $65 one-year membership with a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card—expired December 31, 2025. Costco’s current U.S. signup page instead advertises a $20 Shop Card for eligible new Gold Star members who enroll in auto-renewal. The separate $20 referral offer has different requirements.
What the $40 Costco offer included—and when it ended
BleepingComputer published the $40 deal on December 11, 2025. It offered one year of Gold Star membership for $65 plus a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card, but the offer page says it expired December 31, 2025. It should not be treated as a currently available promotion. BleepingComputer Deals
Under that historical offer, applicants had to be new members or have a Primary or Affiliate membership expired for at least 18 months. Existing-member renewals and upgrades were excluded. Signup required a valid email and auto-renewal using a Visa credit or debit card, or a Mastercard debit card. The page said the card would be emailed within two weeks after successful signup and auto-renewal enrollment.
What Costco offers new members now
Costco’s U.S. signup page lists Gold Star at $65 per year and advertises a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card for eligible new members. The current signup offer is limited to the first membership year, not renewals or upgrades. To qualify, a person must not have held a Costco membership in any capacity during the preceding 18 months, provide a valid email, and select auto-renewal at signup using a Visa credit or debit card or a Mastercard debit card. Costco says the card is emailed within two weeks after successful signup and enrollment. Costco: Join Costco
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The $20 incentive is not owed if auto-renewal is not selected. The Shop Card is not redeemable for cash except where required by law and is not accepted at U.S. or Canada food courts; other restrictions apply. Check the current offer terms at signup, since promotion amounts and conditions can change.
How the separate referral offer differs
Costco also lists a $20 Digital Shop Card for a Gold Star signup through its Refer-a-Friend program, with an expiration date of December 31, 2026. This is not the expired $40 promotion or the standard signup offer. The existing member and new guest must reference the referral program at a membership counter, and both must meet the program’s email and auto-renewal requirements. Costco: Refer a Friend
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Compare the membership cost with what you expect to use
| Membership | Annual fee | Included benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Star | $65 | One Household Card and worldwide warehouse access |
| Executive | $130 | 2% reward on qualified purchases, subject to terms |
These are Costco’s listed annual prices and benefits on its U.S. membership comparison page. The Executive reward applies only to qualified purchases and does not guarantee that the more expensive tier will be worthwhile for every shopper. Costco membership comparison
For budgeting, count the $65 annual fee as the cost of membership; a Shop Card is a restricted store benefit, not cash back. Decide whether the membership fits your shopping plans without assuming a larger past promotion will return.
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