Costco’s best deal: Sign up for a new membership to get a free Costco store card

NEW COSTCO MEMBER BENEFITS: Through March 1st, sign up for a new Costco Gold Star membership for $65 and get a free $20 Costco store card. A new Costco Executive membership costs $130 and comes with a free $40 Costco store card.

Costco is an adult playground. It’s probably the only place where we can buy affordable toilet paper that will last a year, get a rotisserie chicken for dinner, buy a bag of potato chips big enough for a football game party, and fill up on a $1.50 hot dog combo. But the only problem with Costco is that you have to pay to play. The warehouse requires membership to enter the magical gates, but there are great sales going on for new members.

Through March 1, new members can get a free $20 Costco store card when they sign up for a $65-a-year Costco Gold Star membership. Those who sign up for a Costco Executive membership will receive a free $40 Costco store card for a $130 annual investment.

To qualify for this deal, you’ll need to be a new Costco member. Costco considers this to be anyone who has not had a membership in the past 18 months, including primary members or those family members.

A Costco Gold Star membership gives you access to shopping in-store or online at Costco.com. Executive membership comes with additional benefits such as in-store entry an hour before Gold Star members, a $10 monthly credit on same-day orders, and a 2% reward on qualifying purchases. Both types of membership give you access to two cards, so you can invite someone from your family or a friend to join your membership.

If you’ve never had the pleasure of walking into a Costco warehouse, you’re in for a real shopping treat. The wholesaler sells everything from Apple products to Ninja kitchen appliances to large TVs. Of course, there’s also a deli, a bakery, a wide selection of clothing, mattresses, and bulk food. You’ve always wanted to have 100 tortillas, haven’t you?

In addition to the large selection, Costco often has unique sales that you won’t be able to find at any other retailer. Gift cards, for example, are very valuable at Costco. Two $50 Gap Inc. product gift cards. (Gap, Old Navy, Athleta, and Banana Republic) are on sale for $79.99 instead of the usual $100. Or just in time for Valentine’s Day, Costco has two $25 See’s Candies gift cards for $38.99, instead of the regular price of $50.

If you’ve been thinking about signing up for a Costco membership, a free store card gift means your membership fee has dropped significantly. A $65-a-year Gold Star membership comes with a free $20 store card, and a $130-a-year Costco Executive membership earns you a free $40 Costco store card. Either way, you get free money to spend on your next trip. Register before March 1 to get these savings.