Yes, you need a Costco membership to buy gas at Costco. But the savings at the pump can easily pay for the annual membership fee — and then some. In this guide, we'll break down exactly how the Costco membership gas discount works, how much you can save with a Gold Star or Executive membership, and whether upgrading to Executive makes sense purely from fuel savings.
Costco operates fuel stations that are open to active members only. There are two primary membership tiers relevant to gas buyers:
At the pump, you simply insert or scan your Costco membership card before payment. The system verifies your active membership before authorizing the pump. No card, no gas — it's that simple.
Costco gas is consistently 10 to 30 cents per gallon cheaper than nearby name-brand stations. In some markets, the gap is even wider. This isn't a loss leader — Costco's fuel business model is built on high volume and low margins, same as everything else they sell.
For a driver who fills up a 20-gallon tank once a week, the savings look like this:
If you also buy diesel for a truck or RV, the savings can be even more significant. Check our guide on Costco diesel vs. Shell diesel for a detailed head-to-head comparison.
The Executive membership earns a 2% reward on qualifying purchases, and gasoline qualifies. The reward is calculated on the pre-tax amount and is paid out annually as a reward certificate redeemable at Costco.
Key details:
Let's do the math. The Executive upgrade costs $65 more per year than Gold Star. To break even on gas alone, you need $65 ÷ 0.02 = $3,250 in annual gas spending.
Here's what that looks like for different drivers:
If you buy anything else at Costco — which most members do — the Executive membership pays for itself even faster. Groceries, tires, electronics, and pharmacy purchases all earn the 2% reward.
No. A Costco membership is required to purchase fuel at Costco gas stations. The pump will not activate without scanning a valid membership card first.
However, there are a few narrow exceptions:
For everyone else, the membership pays for itself quickly through pump savings alone. See our FAQ page for more common questions.
The Costco membership gas discount is real, significant, and available to anyone willing to pay the annual fee. For most drivers, the savings at the pump alone cover the Gold Star membership cost. Executive membership is worth the upgrade if you drive a lot, own an RV or truck, or shop regularly at Costco. The 2% reward on gas — combined with Costco's already-low prices — makes it one of the best fuel savings programs available.
Use our interactive Costco fuel map to find the nearest Costco gas or diesel station. Filter by fuel type, search by ZIP code, and get directions. We track over 670 Costco gas stations and 71 diesel locations across the US and Canada. And if you want to learn more about diesel quality first, read our guide on whether Costco diesel is good quality.