10 Costco Perks You May Be Missing

Costco is a membership warehouse club that sells grocery, home, and office supplies in bulk at reduced rates. Patrons can also purchase appliances, electronics, medications, alcohol, tires, jewelry, and so much more, all for an extremely affordable price. With just under 850 storefronts in eight countries, it's no surprise that folks are flocking to these warehouses to find the best deals.

For those new to the bulk-buying game, what exactly are the Costco membership perks? And for members, what incentives have you been missing out on? We detail the surprising benefits of this club and how you can stock up on the amazing savings!

The Gold membership is Costco's Everyday Value membership package that folks can purchase for $60 a year. This gives customers access to Costco's extensive product selection, along with free admittance to their pharmacy, tire center, and gas stations.

It also allows them to shop Costco's online merchandise and take advantage of their affordable services like bottled water delivery. Here is a closer look at some savings you can enjoy.

Unlike the gas you get at the regular pump, Costco prides itself on their Kirkland Signature Top Tier Detergent Gasoline. What makes this gas so special? It "contains five times the EPA detergent requirement in both regular unleaded and premium grades, and is formulated to clean your engine and help your vehicle run like new." In other words, you get better gas for a more affordable price!

If you decide to sign up for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, you will also get four percent cash back on the first $7,000 spent on gas. Customers will receive one percent cash back on all subsequent purchases at the pump.

Costco also has a pharmacy that offers members reduced prices on their prescription medications, which is a great perk to try. Additional health and wellness perks you may be missing out on include:

• You can get deals on drugs for your pets.
• Grab pharmacy items while visiting the store or have them delivered to their home.
• Get access to Costco's optical department and their hearing aid centers.

Additionally, members can look into getting their health, vision, home, life, pet, and auto insurance through Costco's partner companies. You can even get protection against identity theft. If you choose to go through Costco, you can expect reduced rates for these essential services.

Most people have heard of the photography product giant Shutterfly. Now Costco members can get their photos printed and enjoy 51 percent off of their Shutterfly photo orders. They also offer free shipping on purchases over $49.

Did you know you can even purchase a car through Costco? The Costco Auto Program connects members with dealerships in their area to purchase new and pre-owned vehicles at a lower, prearranged price. They also offer a 15 percent discount on parts, service, and accessories at participating locations.

Do you need new countertops, blinds, or flooring? How about an upgrade on your HVAC or gutters? Another Costco membership perk that many people don't know about is that if you schedule these home services through one of Costco's partners, you're eligible to recieve a Costco Shop card worth up to 15 percent of the cost of your service.

Members just have to go in-store or online to find out which companies in their area work with Costco.

With all the Costco Gold Memberships perks, many people wonder if it's worth upgrading to the Executive Membership. However, for those with a business, a family, or just a healthy appetite, the investment can be well worth it.

For $120 a year, or $10 a month, members will receive all the Costco Gold membership perks, while also becoming eligible to get money back on purchases and receive an array of travel benefits. Take a look at why this can be a worthwhile investment.

One of the biggest Costco membership perks at the executive level is their cash back program. Members will get two percent back on qualified purchases*, which can total up to $1,000 in a 12-month period. What this means is that if you simply spend $3,000 in a year, you'll pay for the cost of the upgrade.

This may seem like a far-fetched amount, but when you add up groceries, gas, home supplies, and big purchases like appliances, tires, mattresses, and outdoor gear, this actually becomes quite an easy feat to achieve.

Best of all, if you sign up for their Costco Anywhere Visa Card, you will earn an extra two percent on purchases made in-store and online.

* Gas, tobacco, and stamps are federally regulated products, so this promotion does not apply to these items.

Many people are unaware of the travel benefits that come with an Executive Costco membership. Not only can you get reduced rates on hotels, cruises, and rental cars, but Costco's vacation packages include an array of amenities. For instance, members can enjoy complimentary parking, room upgrades, resort credits, Costco Shop cards, and more

Don't forget, when you schedule a vacation through Costco, you also enjoy two percent cash back on your purchase.

Costco strives to ensure that its customers are happy. What this means is that you can return items with no questions asked (barring a few exceptions) and you can cancel your membership at anytime (and they will refund the rest of your membership fee).

Most notably, unlike some stores, if a sale pops up within a month of you purchasing the same item, you can go to the membership desk and ask to be refunded the amount that you would have saved.

From travel to health and wellness deals, there are some of the biggest perks Costco offers. Their flexible cancellation policy makes trying out a membership a risk-free venture, so it might be worth a try for you.