Costco’s New Perk Is Here — But You Need to Upgrade Your Membership

Costco’s just rolled out a shiny new perk.
But here’s the catch — not everyone can access it.

If you’re rocking a basic Costco membership, you might feel a little left out.
To unlock this new benefit, you may need to bump yourself up to the higher tier.

So what’s all the buzz about?
Let’s break it down.

The New Perk Everyone’s Talking About

Costco has teamed up with Instacart to give some members same-day grocery delivery.

That means you can shop for your Costco favorites — think bulk snacks, organic produce, rotisserie chicken, household essentials, and even big packs of water bottles — and get them delivered right to your doorstep.

For anyone who dreads the weekend Costco crowd, this is huge.
No more battling for parking.
No more waiting in long checkout lines.
And no more lugging 40-pound bags of rice across the warehouse.

Instead, you browse on your phone, click “order,” and let Instacart handle the heavy lifting. It’s convenient Costco-style.

Who Gets It?

Here’s where things get interesting.
This perk isn’t open to every Costco shopper.

It’s mainly for Executive Members.
That’s Costco’s premium membership tier.

• Gold Star Membership: $60 per year (the standard plan).
• Executive Membership: $120 per year (double the price, but with extra perks).

So if you’ve got the Executive card, you’re in luck.
If not, you’ll have to upgrade to unlock the Instacart perk.

What You Already Get With Executive

Before we dive deeper, let’s talk about what you already get with Executive membership.

• 2% Cashback on most Costco purchases (up to $1,000 per year).
  
• Extra discounts on Costco Services like auto insurance, travel packages, and home loans.
  
• Exclusive perks like savings on Costco’s pharmacy and optical departments.
  
• Special promotions and offers that basic members don’t always see.
  

Now, add same-day delivery to that list.
Suddenly, the upgrade looks a lot more tempting.

Why Costco Is Doing This

Costco isn’t just handing out perks for fun.
There’s a strategy behind this move.

Let’s be honest — the retail world is more competitive than ever. Amazon Prime promises free two-day (and often same-day) delivery. Walmart+ is pushing hard with grocery delivery perks.
Target offers same-day delivery through Shipt.

Costco knows its customers love value, but they also crave convenience.
So, by teaming up with Instacart, Costco keeps its loyal shoppers happy and prevents them from drifting toward competitors.

And here’s the real kicker: this perk encourages more people to upgrade.
The $60 jump from Gold Star to Executive may not seem huge when it means skipping Costco crowds forever.

How the Delivery Works

If you’ve never used Instacart with Costco before, here’s a quick rundown:

1. Open the Costco or Instacart app.
2. Browse products — groceries, electronics, household items, and more.
3. Add what you want to your cart.
4. Choose a delivery time (sometimes within a couple of hours).
5. A shopper picks and delivers your items.
   

Delivery fees usually apply for non-Executive members. But with this new perk, Costco Executive Members are expected to get either free or discounted delivery options, depending on location.

That’s where the value really adds up.

Is It Worth Upgrading?

Here’s the million-dollar question (or really, the $60 question): is upgrading worth it?

Let’s break it down.

If You Shop Costco Often
Yes, it’s probably worth it.
Between 2% cashback and delivery perks, you’ll likely make back the $60 difference in no time.

Example:

• Spend $3,000 a year at Costco (not hard if you buy groceries, gas, and some big-ticket items).
  
• You get $60 back in cashback alone.
  
• Add delivery savings, and you’re already ahead.
  

 If You Shop Costco Occasionally
Maybe not.
If you only stop by once every few months, you may not benefit enough to justify paying double.
The regular Gold Star membership should be fine.

Comparing Costco to Rivals

This move also puts Costco in the same conversation as other retail giants:

• Amazon Prime: $139/year. Free shipping, video streaming, music, and more.
  
• Walmart+: $98/year. Free grocery delivery, fuel discounts, and Paramount+ streaming.
  
• Target with Shipt: $99/year. Same-day delivery on Target items.
  

Costco’s Executive Membership at $120/year falls right in the middle.
It doesn’t include streaming like Prime or Walmart+, but if you love Costco products, this perk makes membership even more valuable.

What Shoppers Are Saying

Early reactions from Costco shoppers are mixed.

• Some are thrilled: “Finally! I don’t have to spend my Saturday pushing a giant cart through Costco!”
  
• Others aren’t sold: “Why should I pay extra just to get delivery? Isn’t that what my membership already covers?”
  

It really comes down to lifestyle. If you’re a busy parent, someone who hates crowds, or a regular Costco spender, the perk feels like a blessing. If you enjoy the “Costco treasure hunt” experience in-store, you might not care as much.

Extra Benefits You Might Overlook

Here’s another angle — upgrading to Executive isn’t just about groceries.

• You’ll get exclusive travel deals on vacation packages, cruises, and rental cars.
  
• Costco’s auto insurance and mortgage services often save members hundreds a year.
  
• If you buy glasses or prescriptions at Costco, the extra discounts add up.
  

So when you stack delivery savings on top of these, the Executive membership starts to look like a bargain.

The Bottom Line

Costco’s new delivery perk is a game-changer for busy households.
It saves time, saves effort, and keeps Costco competitive in a world where fast delivery is king.

The only snag?
You’ll need to upgrade to Executive Membership to enjoy it.

So here’s the choice:

• Stick with the Gold Star membership and save money upfront.
  
• Or upgrade, get your groceries delivered, earn cashback, and enjoy exclusive perks.

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