Costco’s Gold Star Membership is $65 per year – here’s how to get it for just $20 | Top stories

CHICAGO (WAND) – Costco may have increased its prices, but right now you can snag a membership for cheaper than ever.

The warehouse chain’s Gold Star membership normally costs $65. In the next few weeks, shoppers can purchase a 12-month membership through affiliate marketer StackSocial and receive a $45 Costco gift card, effectively reducing their first year annual rate to $20.

The same offer is also available for Costco’s Premium Executive Membership, which costs $130 per year and gives members 2% cash back on all Costco purchases. Considering the $45 gift card, you can purchase an executive membership at an effective annual price of $85 for the first year.

Costco recently increased its membership fees from $60 and $120 for Gold Star and Executive memberships, respectively.

To benefit from the savings, you must purchase your membership through StackSocial. After you create your account, you will receive your $45 digital gift card from Costco via email within two weeks.

The offer is available until December 22nd and must be redeemed before January 31st next year. You can access the offer here.

Offer valid only for new members or those whose Costco membership expired more than 18 months ago. So if you already have a Costco membership, you’re out of luck

Costco Gold Star or Executive Membership?

If you’re thinking about joining Costco, which membership should you choose?

Costco’s Basic Gold Star Membership gives you access to Costco’s warehouses, the chain’s website, and its famously affordable gas stations.

Executive Membership offers all the benefits of Gold Star Membership plus 2% cash back on all purchases and additional savings on Costco services like bottled water delivery and pet insurance.

When you get your home or auto insurance through Costco, the Executive membership comes with some exclusive benefits like roadside assistance and lockout assistance.

Costco’s membership site includes a calculator where you can enter how much you spend in the store each month to see how much cash back you can expect at the end of the year, and to see if the higher price works for you makes sense.

If you’re not sure whether to go with the more expensive option, Costco has taken the stress out of the decision. The chain promises to refund the difference in cost between a Gold Star membership and an Executive membership in the first year if you’re not satisfied.

Please note that the refund is not automatic. To get your money back, you must go to your local Costco location and have the refund processed at the membership counter.

This article first appeared on NBC Chicago on November 16.

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The warehouse chain recently increased the price of its annual membership.