Costco memberships got more expensive this year, although it wasn’t a huge increase. A Gold Star membership now costs $65 per year, and an Executive membership costs $130. If you shop at Costco regularly, you could easily save much more than that.
But any time you’re paying a membership fee, you need to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth. If any of the following are true, you may be better off not renewing your Costco membership in 2025.
1. You’ve been spending too much money there
No one I know has ever successfully grabbed just a few things at Costco. Its warehouses are great at getting you to add extra items to your cart. They’re massive, new products are always arriving, and you need to work your way through the whole store when shopping for groceries. And there are the free sample stations, which often lead to impulse purchases.
If your credit card bill has been getting bigger, take a closer look at how much you’re spending at Costco. You could find that your membership is actually costing you money, because you’re going over budget when you shop there. In that case, it might be time to stop going to Costco.
Don’t want to give up your membership just yet? You could also look for ways to cut your Costco bill. Check out our No. 1 strategy for saving money at Costco.
2. You’re moving and won’t have a Costco nearby
Costco has a lot of locations. It operates over 800 warehouses worldwide and over 600 in the United States. But it’s not one of those stores that’s practically everywhere. Walmart, for comparison’s sake, has over 10,500 locations.
If you’ll be living in a new city in 2025, check how close you’ll be to your nearest Costco. Some areas don’t have any Costco warehouses yet, and that includes three states (Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Wyoming).
A Costco membership could still be worth it if you have a warehouse within an hour’s drive or so. Some members don’t mind making the occasional long trek to Costco. They typically stock up — make sure you have plenty of space in your freezer before you do this. But if there’s no Costco within a reasonable distance, turn off the auto-renew option in your account so you won’t keep getting charged for a membership.
3. It’s not your preferred place to shop anymore
Costco is a unique shopping experience. It has a food court, where you can somehow still get a hot dog and soda for $1.50. It has products you can’t find anywhere else, including many from its popular Kirkland brand. And it frequently rotates in new products for a limited time. People sometimes say that going there feels more like a treasure hunt than a shopping trip.
Even checking out is different. Unlike most retailers, Costco doesn’t accept every type of credit card. You can only use Visa, so you’ll want to find the right credit card for Costco if you’re a member. Once you’ve paid, you’ll also need to show your receipt to a receipt checker on your way out.
Some people really enjoy the Costco experience. Others would rather just go to a more traditional grocery store. You might find that your tastes change over the years. If you’re starting to prefer shopping at other stores, then you could save money by canceling your Costco membership.
A Costco membership offers quite a few perks, but it’s not right for everyone. If you’ve decided not to renew yours, check that the auto-renew is turned off in your account. You could also go in and cancel your membership if you’re sure you don’t want it anymore. Costco has a satisfaction guarantee, so it will refund your membership fee if you decide to cancel.
