The holidays have a way of making even the most carefully planned budget spiral out of control. Between buying gifts, hosting family dinners, decorating the house, and traveling to see relatives, it’s easy to spend far more than you intended. And while Costco might already be your go-to destination for bulk groceries and oversized desserts, there are plenty of Costco holiday membership perks that could help you save money in ways you haven’t considered.
Beyond the warehouse aisles, Costco offers discounted restaurant gift cards, personalized holiday cards, travel deals, and even flower delivery. Some of these benefits are available to all members, while others are reserved for those willing to pay extra for an Executive membership. Either way, knowing what’s included can make holiday shopping a little less expensive and a lot more convenient.
From avoiding crowded warehouses to sending gifts across the country, here are 12 Costco membership perks worth taking advantage of during the holiday season.
Discounted Restaurant Gift Cards Can Stretch Your Holiday Gift Budget
Gift cards are an easy solution for hard-to-shop-for relatives, teachers, and friends, but buying them at full price can add up quickly. Fortunately, Costco sells restaurant gift cards for less than their actual redemption value, often offering discounts of around 20% to 25%. Depending on availability, you might find cards for chains like Fogo de Chão or restaurants in the Landry’s family. For example, a $100 gift card package priced at $79.99 saves you about $20 without reducing the value of the gift. Just double-check participating locations and any redemption restrictions before purchasing.
Members Get a Major Discount on Personalized Holiday Cards
Sending Christmas cards to everyone on your list can become surprisingly expensive, especially when you’re ordering dozens of personalized designs. Through its partnership with Shutterfly, Costco offers members 51% off regularly priced photo products, including holiday cards, photo books, calendars, and personalized gifts. Eligible orders of $30 or more also qualify for free shipping. It’s particularly useful if you’re creating family photo cards or putting together a custom calendar for grandparents. However, Shutterfly frequently runs its own promotions, so compare the final checkout prices before assuming the Costco discount is the better deal.
The Executive Membership’s 2% Reward Can Add Up During Holiday Shopping
If you tend to spend heavily at Costco during November and December, an Executive membership could help you get something back. Executive members earn an annual 2% Reward on eligible Costco purchases, up to $1,250 per membership year. That means spending $2,000 on qualifying holiday groceries, gifts, and other merchandise could earn you approximately $40 toward your annual reward. However, the upgrade costs an additional $65 per year, so it isn’t necessarily worth it for holiday shopping alone. The trick is considering how much you spend at Costco throughout the entire year, not just during the festive season. You can review the exclusions and eligibility rules on Costco’s website.
Executive Members Get Early Shopping Hours
Anyone who’s visited Costco the weekend before Thanksgiving knows that holiday shopping can feel like a competitive sport. Between crowded aisles, packed parking lots, and long checkout lines, even a quick grocery run can become an ordeal. One benefit of the Executive membership is access to designated early shopping hours, which Costco introduced in June 2025. According to Costco, Executive members can generally enter warehouses from 9 to 10 a.m. on weekdays, 9 to 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays, and 9 to 10 a.m. on Sundays. That extra time can make a difference when you’re shopping for holiday essentials, although it’s worth checking your local warehouse’s schedule before heading out.
Executive Members Can Get a Monthly Same-Day Delivery Credit
Sometimes the last thing you want to do while preparing a holiday dinner is make another trip to a crowded warehouse. Executive members have access to a $10 monthly credit on eligible same-day delivery orders of $150 or more placed through SameDay.Costco.com or Costco via Instacart. That can be particularly helpful when you need refrigerated groceries, appetizers, drinks, or last-minute party supplies delivered to your door. Just remember that same-day delivery prices may be higher than warehouse prices, and additional fees can apply. The smartest approach is to use the credit on an order you were already planning rather than adding unnecessary items just to meet the spending minimum.
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Costco’s Return Policy Offers Reassurance on Holiday Gifts
Buying presents for other people can be stressful, especially when you’re not entirely sure whether they’ll like what you’ve chosen. One advantage of shopping at Costco is its satisfaction guarantee on most merchandise, which can make purchases like clothing, toys, and household items feel a little less risky. However, the policy isn’t unlimited for every product. Many electronics, including televisions, computers, tablets, cameras, and smartwatches, generally have a 90-day return window. If you’re buying electronics well before Christmas, that deadline is particularly important. Keep your purchase records and check Costco’s return policy before assuming a gift can be returned months later.
Costco Business Centers Can Help With Large Holiday Gatherings
If you’re hosting a holiday party for a crowd, your regular Costco warehouse might not be the only place worth visiting. Standard Costco memberships also provide access to Costco Business Centers, which cater to businesses but are open to regular members. These locations often carry expanded selections of bulk beverages, food, disposable tableware, serving utensils, and cleaning supplies. That can come in handy when you’re feeding extended family or hosting a large Christmas gathering. However, some products come in quantities better suited to restaurants than households, so make sure you’re actually getting a useful amount before filling your cart. You can learn more about Costco Business Centers and check whether there’s one near you.
Holiday Flowers and Centerpieces Can Be Delivered Directly
Sending flowers during the holidays is a thoughtful gesture, but traditional florist deliveries can become expensive, especially when you’re shopping for several relatives. Costco offers seasonal floral arrangements for delivery, including bouquets and holiday-themed centerpieces that can be shipped directly to recipients. It’s a convenient option if you want to surprise someone who lives in another state or decorate your own Thanksgiving or Christmas table without making another shopping trip. Just remember that holiday delivery schedules can fill up quickly. Compare the total price with local florists, confirm the available delivery dates, and order early enough to avoid last-minute disappointment.
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Costco Travel Can Make Holiday Rental Cars More Affordable
Traveling to visit family over Thanksgiving or Christmas often means dealing with expensive flights, crowded airports, and rental car fees. If you’re planning to rent a vehicle, your Costco membership might help. Costco Travel offers members access to negotiated rental car rates through companies including Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise. One particularly useful benefit is a waived additional-driver fee at participating locations, which can make a difference when spouses or family members plan to share the driving. Costco Travel also advertises no cancellation fees on eligible rental car reservations. As always, compare the total price with direct-booking offers before deciding which deal is best.
Discounted Movie Tickets and Entertainment Cards Make Useful Experience Gifts
Not everyone wants another sweater, kitchen gadget, or decorative candle for Christmas. For relatives who would rather enjoy an experience, Costco’s selection of discounted entertainment gift cards can be worth exploring. Depending on availability, members can find gift cards for movie theaters, gaming platforms, entertainment venues, and other activities. For example, Costco has listed a $50 Cinemark eGift Card for $39.99, offering roughly $10 in savings. These make particularly useful gifts for teenagers, grandchildren, or anyone who’s difficult to shop for. Just check the current gift card selection, participating locations, and redemption restrictions before buying.
Costco Shop Cards Are Gifts Even Non-Members Can Use
If you have a college student, adult child, or relative who could use a little help with everyday expenses, a Costco Shop Card might be more practical than another traditional Christmas present. These gift cards are available in physical and digital formats, and recipients don’t need to have their own Costco membership to use them for eligible purchases. That means someone who doesn’t regularly shop at the warehouse can still put the card toward groceries, household supplies, or other essentials. According to Costco, Shop Cards don’t expire, although only members can purchase them. Digital versions can also be convenient for last-minute gifts, but fulfillment times may vary during busy periods.
Holiday Gift Baskets and Food Towers Can Be Shipped as Presents
Buying, wrapping, and mailing gifts to relatives across the country can become a project of its own. Costco’s online holiday selection includes gift baskets, fruit towers, cookie assortments, popcorn tins, and other food collections that can be delivered directly to someone’s doorstep. These can be especially useful for long-distance relatives, holiday hosts, or people who seem to have everything already. Instead of assembling a basket yourself and paying separately to ship it, you can choose a prepackaged option and arrange delivery. That convenience doesn’t automatically make it the cheapest choice, though. Compare the contents, shipping costs, and delivery dates before placing an order.
Make Your Costco Membership Work Harder This Holiday Season
Costco’s holiday savings go well beyond giant pies and bulk packages of wrapping paper. Discounted gift cards, travel benefits, personalized photo products, and delivery services can all make the season a little easier on your wallet. And if you’re an Executive member, perks like early shopping hours and the annual 2% Reward may provide additional value. The key is remembering that a discount only saves you money when it’s something you actually need. Before filling your cart or upgrading your membership, take a few minutes to compare prices and make sure those perks are working in your favor.
