Join Costco Right Now and Get Up to a $40 Shop Card—Here's Why It's Worth It
New members get a free Digital Shop Card just for signing up and turning on auto-renew.
McKenna Harmony-Greer, Deals Editor
Published June 30, 2026 · Updated July 2, 2026
RebelDealz is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability can change after we publish. How we find & verify deals
If you've been circling a Costco membership for a while, now is the time to join. I love my own Costco card, and the savings have been genuinely worth it across groceries, appliances, and travel. And right now, brand-new members get a free Digital Costco Shop Card just for joining and enrolling in auto-renewal.
The offer is simple: join as a new Executive member and you'll get a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card. Join as a new Gold Star member and you'll get a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card. Both require you to enroll in auto-renew when you sign up. The card lands in your inbox within about two weeks, and it spends just like cash inside the warehouse and online.
Below, we'll break down exactly how the deal works, which membership tier makes sense for you, and the long list of member-only perks that make the annual fee pay for itself.
New members score a free Shop Card up to $40, plus member-only savings on gas, groceries, travel, and more.
The Deal at a Glance
- Executive Membership ($130/year): Get a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card → effective first-year cost around $90
- Gold Star Membership ($65/year): Get a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card → effective first-year cost around $45
- The catch (it's an easy one): You must be a new member and enroll in auto-renewal at sign-up
- Delivery: Your Shop Card is emailed within 2 weeks of joining
- Where it works: The Shop Card is good both in-warehouse and on Costco.com
How the Offer Works
The offer is for first-time members, or anyone whose membership expired more than 18 months ago. Enroll in auto-renewal at sign-up using a Visa card or Mastercard debit card, and use a valid email, since that's where your Shop Card is sent. Sign up and redeem online before your first warehouse visit.
You can cancel auto-renew anytime after you get the card, and Costco's satisfaction guarantee lets you refund your membership fee if you're not happy.
Gold Star vs. Executive: Which One Is Right for You?
Gold Star Membership: $65/year
The classic membership and the right pick for most households. You get access to 600+ U.S. warehouses (900+ worldwide) and Costco.com, two membership cards, the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, member gas pricing, Costco Travel, the Optical and Hearing Aid Centers, member prescription pricing, and extended warranties on electronics and appliances. With the $20 Shop Card, it's a low-commitment way in.
Executive Membership: $130/year
Everything in Gold Star, plus a 2% annual reward on eligible purchases (up to $1,250 a year), a $10 monthly Same-Day delivery credit, and early shopping hours.
The upgrade costs just $65 more than Gold Star, and the 2% reward covers that once you spend about $3,250 a year (roughly $270 a month). Everything above that is money back. Add the $40 Shop Card for new Executive members, and the first-year math is easy.
New members score a free Shop Card up to $40, plus member-only savings on gas, groceries, travel, and more.
Member-Only Perks
Kirkland Signature. Costco's in-house brand rivals name brands at a fraction of the price. For many families, Kirkland savings alone beat the annual fee.
Gas. Costco gas is routinely among the cheapest around, and the per-gallon savings add up fast.
Costco Travel. Vacation packages, rental cars, cruises, and hotels at member pricing, and Executive members earn their 2% reward on these too.
Pharmacy, Optical, and Hearing. Member prescription pricing, eye exams, glasses, contacts, and hearing aid centers, often below what you'd pay elsewhere.
Tires, Electronics, and Appliances. Tires include road hazard coverage, and electronics and appliances come with extended warranty protection and free tech support.
Monthly Coupons. Rotating monthly coupons and instant in-warehouse savings on items you're already buying.
Phone Deals. Exclusive offers with AT&T and T-Mobile can cut your monthly phone bill.
Bottom Line
Costco's value is real, which is how it's grown to over 145 million members worldwide. The annual fee comes back many times over through Kirkland pricing, cheap gas, travel deals, and the Executive 2% reward.
Right now, joining costs even less: new Executive members get a $40 Shop Card and new Gold Star members get a $20 Shop Card, just for signing up and enrolling in auto-renew. Pick your tier, turn on auto-renew, and let the Shop Card cover your first cart.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get the free Digital Costco Shop Card? Sign up online as a new member, choose Gold Star ($65) or Executive ($130), and enroll in auto-renewal with a Visa card or Mastercard debit card. Use a valid email, and Costco will send your Shop Card ($20 for Gold Star, $40 for Executive) within about two weeks.
Who qualifies as a "new" member? First-time members, or anyone whose Costco membership expired more than 18 months ago. It's not valid for renewals or upgrades.
Can I cancel auto-renew after I get the card? Yes. It's required to get the card, but you can turn it off afterward. The 100% Satisfaction Guarantee also lets you refund your membership fee.
Is the Executive Membership worth the extra $65? For frequent shoppers, usually yes. The 2% reward (up to $1,250) covers the $65 upgrade once you spend about $3,250 a year, which most members clear easily.
Where can I use the Digital Shop Card? In-warehouse and on Costco.com, just like cash. It generally isn't accepted at the U.S. or Canada food court.
Do I need a physical card to start shopping? No. Once you redeem online, you can shop Costco.com right away. Just bring a photo ID to a warehouse to pick up your physical card before shopping in person.
About McKenna Harmony-Greer
Deals Editor
