Costco membership offers a wide range of benefits that extend beyond wholesale pricing, including numerous complimentary services and freebies. Membership statistics indicate that Costco had approximately 136.8 million members globally in 2024, with membership rising around 6.96% from 2023 to 2024. This large membership base enjoys numerous free perks that can more than compensate for the cost of the annual membership fee. Research suggests that by strategically utilising these complimentary services, intelligent members can recoup their full membership cost. This article details the free items and services available to Costco members, based on the provided source material.
Free Services Included with Membership
Costco provides a variety of complimentary services that members can access without additional charges beyond their membership fee. These services span health, automotive, travel, and technology support.
Health Services and Screenings
Costco offers valuable health-related benefits, including reduced prescription prices and eyewear savings. In some locations, members can access free health and hearing screenings. The range of free services available includes: * Hearing tests and follow-up care * Hearing aid cleanings * Eye exams and glasses adjustments * Blood pressure measurements * Diabetes assessments * Cholesterol checks * Bone density analysis * Subsequent consultations
Members who purchase hearing aids also enjoy complimentary follow-up care, which includes remote adjustments and free hearing aid cleanings.
Lifetime Tire Maintenance
Members who purchase tyres from Costco receive a complete set of free tyre services. These services are estimated to save members over £30 per visit compared to non-member rates. The free services include: * Tyre rotation (non-members typically pay between £18 and £21) * Lifetime free balancing (valued at approximately £22) * Pressure tests (valued at approximately £22) * Nitrogen filling services * Free flat tyre repair (valued at approximately £11 elsewhere) * A 5-Year Road Hazard Warranty covering tyre wear issues resulting from normal driving
Appointments for these services take around 40 minutes and can be scheduled online. Proper tyre maintenance can extend the life of tyres up to 60,000 miles. Automotive experts estimate these free services will save members hundreds over the life of their tyres.
Tech Support
Costco members enjoy free tech support services for electronic purchases made from their stores. This support ensures that items such as televisions, laptops, cameras, and appliances function properly. The tech support lines are open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pacific Time. Additionally, electronics purchases include extended warranties that are reportedly better than those offered by other retailers.
Travel Planning Assistance
Costco Travel provides complimentary vacation planning for members booking through their agency. Travel industry consultants value this personalised planning at £75-150 compared to typical travel agency fees. Travel industry experts emphasise that professional planning maximises trip value and satisfaction. Existing travel research shows that highly planned vacations create approximately 23% more perceived value than self-booked equivalents. Costco Travel experts help members streamline itineraries, accommodations, and activities.
While Costco Travel is a service provided for Costco members, it is not entirely free. There are no additional fees for booking through Costco Travel beyond the Costco membership fee, but members must still pay for the cost of their vacation package, including airfare, accommodations, and any additional services chosen. However, Costco Travel often offers exclusive deals and discounts, potentially saving money compared to booking through other travel agencies or directly with providers. Members may receive an additional night at resorts or even a Digital Costco Shop Card as a bonus.
Other Complimentary Services
- Insurance Quotes: Members gain free insurance quotes from Costco’s member services website without obligation. Comparative shopping for insurance can save consumers, on average, 12-17% on premiums.
- Membership Card Photos: Costco provides free professional photos for membership cards, ensuring clear identification for warehouse visits. The value of these properly lit, correctly framed identification photos is estimated at £10-15 compared to passport or ID photo services. Quality ID photographs improve membership verification efficiency, and easy-to-read identification photos have been shown to reduce checkout waiting times by roughly 15% during membership verification.
Free Products and Samples
In-Store Free Samples
Costco is known for its free sample tables, which turn store visits into gourmet adventures. The warehouse invests up to £2 billion annually in free samples, acknowledging that they act to fuel enhanced sales with psychological triggers. Studies indicate these free samples have a significant influence on customers’ purchasing habits, prompting buyers to purchase the taste-test item itself and anything within that specific product category.
Bottled Water Delivery Setup
Costco members can set up their water delivery service at no charge when they sign up for regular deliveries. Members select three or five-gallon containers of purified water (starting at £6.49) or spring water (starting at £7.49) and plan convenient home deliveries. This service eliminates the environmental footprint of millions of single-use plastic bottles and provides regular access to clean drinking water. This model is highly applauded for saving plastic without reducing convenience.
Cash Back and Savings
Executive Member Cash Back
Only Executive members receive cash back. If you spend a lot at Costco, the cash-back programme should be more than enough to cover the extra cost to become an Executive member. For example, if you spend £250 per month at Costco, this perk covers the difference in price between a Gold Star membership and an Executive membership.
Executive members get 2% cash back on Costco purchases for most merchandise. At the end of each year, Costco sends members a check for the amount of their cash back. The maximum cash back amount is £1,000 every year.
Offsetting Membership Costs
It is possible to offset the costs of a membership and earn a membership that is essentially free. For the standard membership (£65), as long as you can save more than £65 at Costco over a year, the membership cost is basically free. For the Executive plan (£130), you must hit £130 of savings before your membership cost is offset. Members can track their savings as they go.
Kirkland Brand Products
Kirkland is Costco’s private label, sold exclusively at Costco. Although it is not a brand name, all of its products are considered worth buying, and using the Kirkland brand can contribute to overall savings.
Virtual Healthcare Access
Members at Costco are able to access reduced-cost telehealth through a partnership with Sesame, a health bazaar. This provides members with another avenue for health-related services at a reduced cost.
Conclusion
Costco membership offers a substantial array of complimentary services and freebies that provide significant value. From health screenings and hearing tests to free tyre maintenance, tech support, and travel planning assistance, the benefits are diverse. Members can also enjoy in-store free samples, set up complimentary water delivery, and earn cash back as Executive members. By strategically utilising these free services and products, members can effectively offset the cost of their membership fee, making the overall shopping experience more economical. The investment in these complimentary services demonstrates Costco's commitment to providing added value beyond wholesale pricing, making it a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers, families, and deal seekers.