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Let’s say you spent $130 to become an executive member at Costco. You use your membership card to shop in-store and occasionally order something online. However, you have the nagging feeling that you are not getting value for your money.

Maybe all you need is a reminder of the benefits you might be missing out on, or maybe it’s time to come up with some new ideas to inspire you. Here are some ways to maximize your Costco Executive membership.

Double Cash Rewards

As an Executive Member, you earn 2% back on every qualifying purchase, up to $1,250 per year. Think you can’t spend enough to earn the full $1,250? Remember, all qualifying purchases at Costco, Costco.com, and Costco Travel count toward your total.

A check is sent to you two months before your membership renewal date. You can hand it to the cashier on your next Costco shopping trip or save it for something special, like a new appliance, trampoline, or sectional furniture. Since the reward never expires, you don’t need to decide immediately.

But why stop at 2%? Why not maximize your rewards by paying for your Costco purchases with a Visa that gives you cash back?

If you are looking for such a card, you may want to Check out some of our favorite cards for Costco spending. Keep in mind, however, that Costco only accepts Visa cards in-store (and only Visa and Mastercard at Costco.com).

Benefits often overlooked

The Executive Membership is the more exclusive of the two Costco membership options. If you overlook any of these benefits, you are not maximizing your Executive membership.

Travel benefits

Executive members enjoy better travel benefits, including rental cars, hotels, vacation planning and travel products. As mentioned above, booking travel through Costco as an Executive Member earns you an attractive 2% cash back. Plus, Executive Members are the only Costco members who get special extras on select holidays.

For example, Executive Members who book a Uniworld Boutique river cruise receive a $50 per person onboard credit and a digital Costco Shop card.

Home insurance

Buy your home insurance through CONNECT and, as an Executive Member, you’ll receive extras like home lockout assistance and reimbursement for home window repairs. And because CONNECT is a division of American Family Insurance, you can be confident that your insurance company is financially secure.

Car insurance

Executive members who insure their vehicles through CONNECT can also access free roadside assistance. The next time you have a flat tire or a dead battery, you can count on Roadside Assistance to get you back on the road.

Costco Connection Magazine Subscription

As an executive member, you will receive a monthly copy of Costco Login in the mail. Costco Login offers everything from health tips to business advice and recipes.

As a Costco member, chances are you’ll pay attention to your finances and generally make decisions that are good for your bottom line. You can pay more to become an executive member, but you also get access to deeper discounts and the types of perks that reward you for upgrading.

Best Credit Card to Use at Costco (and Everywhere Else!)

We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including at Costco! This card is one of America’s favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you’ll ever earn and unlimited 2% cash rewards on your purchases, even when you shop at Costco.

Add in the competitive 0% interest period and it’s no wonder we’ve awarded this card the best no annual fee credit card.

Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!

We strongly believe in the Golden Rule, so editorial opinions are our own and have not been previously reviewed, approved or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money editorial content is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different team of analysts.Dana Georges has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool ranks and recommends Costco Wholesale, Mastercard and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2025 $370 calls on Mastercard and short January 2025 $380 calls on Mastercard. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.