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Last updated: September 16, 2026
Costco membership in Canada currently costs $65 per year for Gold Star or Business membership and $130 per year for Executive membership, plus applicable taxes.
These prices have not increased again in 2025 or 2026. They date from the fee change that took effect on September 1, 2024.
The price may be unchanged, but the value proposition has changed considerably. Executive members can now receive a $10 monthly credit on an eligible $150+ Costco Same-Day or Instacart order, while the annual 2% Executive reward can reach $1,250.
Costco has also continued to increase the proportion of members using its Executive tier.
That makes the important 2026 question less about whether Costco has raised its membership fee again and more about whether Gold Star or Executive now provides better value for a particular Canadian household or business.
How Much Does a Costco Membership Cost in Canada in 2026?
Costco’s current Canadian membership fees are:
| Membership type | Annual fee before tax | Main purpose |
| Gold Star | $65 | Personal shopping |
| Business | $65 | Business purchases and purchasing for resale |
| Executive Gold Star | $130 | Personal shopping plus Executive benefits |
| Executive Business | $130 | Business membership plus Executive benefits |
| Business Affiliate | $65 each | Additional eligible business cardholder |
Each Gold Star, Business or Executive primary membership includes a Household card at no additional membership fee.
Costco’s current rules state that the Household card can be assigned to someone over age 16 who lives at the same address.
Existing Gold Star or Business members who upgrade partway through their membership year do not necessarily pay the full $65 upgrade immediately. Costco prorates the upgrade amount according to the number of months remaining.
What Changed With Costco Membership Fees in 2024?
Costco announced the latest Canadian membership increase on July 10, 2024, with the new prices taking effect on September 1, 2024.
| Membership | Before September 2024 | From September 1, 2024 | Increase |
| Gold Star | $60 | $65 | $5 |
| Business | $60 | $65 | $5 |
| Business add-on/Affiliate | $60 | $65 | $5 |
| Executive | $120 | $130 | $10 |
| Maximum Executive reward | $1,000 | $1,250 | $250 |
Costco said the change affected approximately 52 million memberships across the United States and Canada, a little over half of which were Executive memberships.
The $52 million figure should not be described as the number of Canadian members alone.
It was Costco’s first membership fee increase since 2017. In June 2017, Gold Star and Business membership had risen from $55 to $60, while Executive membership increased from $110 to $120.
The Executive reward ceiling also increased at that time from $750 to $1,000.
Did Costco Increase Membership Fees Again in 2025 or 2026?
No. Costco has not announced another broad Canadian membership fee increase as of September 16, 2026.
Gold Star and Business membership remain $65 before tax, while Executive membership remains $130 before tax.
What has changed since 2024 is the benefit package, particularly for Executive members.The distinction matters for searchers seeing headlines about “Costco membership changes”.
The 2024 price change remains the latest Canadian fee increase, but Costco has since introduced benefits that can materially affect whether paying the additional $65 for Executive membership makes financial sense.
What New Executive Membership Benefits Are Available in Canada?
The most important new Canadian benefit is a $10 monthly credit for Costco Same-Day or Costco orders through Instacart.
The benefit began on June 30, 2025. A valid Executive member can receive one $10 CAD credit per calendar month for one eligible order worth at least $150. The membership must be connected to the member’s Instacart account.
The credit does not roll over. If it is not used during that calendar month, it expires. Only one monthly credit applies to an order.
The $150 threshold applies to eligible products.
Costco states that alcohol, prescription products and gift cards do not count towards the minimum spend, while taxes, tips, service charges, delivery fees and certain other charges are also excluded.
That gives the benefit a maximum face value of:
$10 × 12 months = $120 per year
That is significant because the difference between Gold Star and Executive membership is only $65 before tax.
Costco currently also advertises Executive-only offers, additional discounts, selected Costco service benefits, Costco Connection magazine and online wills alongside the annual 2% reward.
What About 9 a.m. Executive Early Access?
Canadian readers should be careful with reports about Executive-only 9 a.m. warehouse access.
Costco introduced and publicised earlier Executive shopping access in the United States, but Costco Canada’s current Executive benefits page does not list a nationwide Executive-only early-access benefit.
Current Canadian warehouse pages instead commonly list ordinary warehouse hours beginning at 9:00 a.m. for all members, with many locations showing weekend closing at 7:00 p.m.
For example, Costco’s London, Ontario warehouse currently lists 9:00 a.m. opening Monday through Sunday and 7:00 p.m. weekend closing.
For that reason, 9 a.m. access should not currently be presented as a guaranteed Canada-wide reason to upgrade to Executive. Members should check the hours shown for their own warehouse.
Are Costco Members Still Renewing After the Fee Increase?
Costco’s numbers do not show a broad collapse in renewals following the 2024 increase.
At the end of Costco’s first quarter of fiscal 2026, the company reported 81.4 million paid memberships worldwide, including 39.7 million Executive memberships.
Executive members accounted for approximately 74.3% of sales penetration. The U.S. and Canada renewal rate was 92.2%.
By the end of Costco’s third quarter of fiscal 2026, the company reported 82.9 million paid memberships, 148.5 million total cardholders and 41.2 million Executive memberships.
Executive members accounted for 75.0% of sales penetration, while the U.S./Canada renewal rate remained 92.2%.
These figures do not prove that no individual members cancelled because of the higher fee. They do, however, show that overall membership and Executive participation continued to grow while the U.S./Canada renewal rate remained above 92%.
When Could Costco Increase Its Membership Fee Again?
There is no announced date for the next Canadian Costco membership increase.
A frequently cited historical rule of thumb comes from Guggenheim analyst John Heinbockel. In 2021, he noted that Costco had historically increased annual membership fees roughly every five and a half years, generally by $5 to $10.
He also predicted that Gold Star would eventually reach $65 and Executive $130 — the exact levels Costco subsequently introduced in 2024.
That historical cadence is useful context, but it should not be treated as a fixed schedule.
The latest interval was actually considerably longer:
| Fee change | Gold Star | Executive |
| June 2017 | $60 | $120 |
| September 2024 | $65 | $130 |
| September 2026 | $65 | $130 |
There were about seven years and three months between the 2017 and 2024 changes.
If the older five-and-a-half-year pattern were repeated from September 2024, attention would naturally turn towards roughly 2030.
A wider 2029–2031 period may therefore be worth watching historically, but this is not an announced Costco timetable or a prediction of a confirmed increase.
Until Costco issues another announcement, $65 and $130 remain the relevant Canadian base prices.
How Much Do You Need to Spend for Executive Membership to Break Even?
The Canadian Executive calculation is particularly simple.
Gold Star costs $65.
Executive costs $130.
The additional cost is therefore:
$130 − $65 = $65
The Executive reward is approximately 2% of eligible pre-tax spending.
To Earn $65:
$65 ÷ 0.02 = $3,250
An Executive member therefore needs approximately $3,250 of qualifying annual Costco spending, or about $271 per month, for the 2% reward alone to cover the additional $65 upgrade cost.
| Eligible annual spend | Approx. 2% reward | Result versus $65 upgrade |
| $1,500 | $30 | $35 short |
| $2,500 | $50 | $15 short |
| $3,250 | $65 | Break-even |
| $4,800 | $96 | $31 ahead |
| $6,500 | $130 | $65 ahead |
| $12,000 | $240 | $175 ahead |
| $25,000 | $500 | $435 ahead |
| $62,500 | $1,250 | Maximum reward |
Costco itself confirms that $62,500 of annual qualifying purchases would produce the maximum $1,250 reward.
A member would need about $6,500 of eligible annual spending to produce a $130 reward equal to the entire pre-tax cost of Executive membership.
However, comparing the reward against the full $130 can be misleading when choosing between tiers.
A member who would otherwise pay $65 for Gold Star only needs to recover the extra $65 upgrade cost to make Executive financially neutral.
How Does the $10 Monthly Instacart Credit Change the Break-Even Point?
This is where the 2026 calculation becomes much more interesting.
A member who already makes qualifying $150+ Same-Day or Instacart Costco orders can potentially receive up to $120 of credits per year.
Because the Executive upgrade costs $65 more than Gold Star, someone who genuinely uses seven monthly credits receives:
7 × $10 = $70
On a face-value basis, seven fully used monthly credits alone exceed the $65 pre-tax Executive upgrade difference — before counting any 2% reward.
The calculation changes according to actual usage:
| Monthly credits genuinely used | Annual credit value | Remaining $65 upgrade cost to recover through rewards | Approx. qualifying spend needed at 2% |
| 0 | $0 | $65 | $3,250 |
| 3 | $30 | $35 | $1,750 |
| 6 | $60 | $5 | $250 |
| 7 | $70 | $0 | $0 |
| 12 | $120 | $0 | $0 |
This does not mean people should place unnecessary $150 orders simply to use a $10 credit. The benefit only has its full value when the household would already have made an eligible Same Day or Instacart purchase.
For a household already using Costco delivery every month, however, the new credit fundamentally changes the old Executive break-even calculation.
Which Is Better: Gold Star or Executive Membership?
The answer depends on shopping behaviour rather than membership branding.
| Household or shopper | Gold Star | Executive |
| Occasional Costco shopper | Usually stronger value | Reward may not cover upgrade |
| Under $3,250 annual eligible spending and no delivery use | Usually stronger | Limited reward case |
| Over $3,250 eligible annual spending | Consider upgrade | 2% reward can cover upgrade |
| Uses eligible Same-Day delivery at least seven months a year | Possible | Monthly credits can cover upgrade difference |
| Large household buying regularly | Possible | Often stronger reward opportunity |
| Business making substantial qualifying purchases | Business may suffice | Executive can become attractive |
| Mainly joins for Costco Gas | Often sufficient | Gas does not earn Executive 2% reward |
| Frequent eligible Costco Travel customer | Possible | Qualifying travel can earn the 2% reward |
The critical word is eligible. Total Costco spending and reward-qualifying spending are not necessarily the same.
What Purchases Do Not Earn Costco’s Executive 2% Reward?
Costco calculates the reward on most pre-tax qualifying purchases by the Primary and Household cardholders.
Current exclusions include purchases at Costco gas stations, food courts, pharmacies, certain optical purchases, membership fees, taxes, deposits and various services. Other exclusions can apply.
Costco Travel can qualify, subject to its separate conditions, while Costco currently specifically advertises qualifying alcohol purchases as eligible for earning the Executive reward where applicable.
This distinction is especially important for people who spend heavily at Costco Gas. A large annual fuel bill may help make the basic membership worthwhile, but the fuel itself does not help a member reach the Executive 2% reward break-even point.
How and When Is the Executive Reward Paid?
The Executive reward is not automatically issued as a Costco Shop Card.
Costco’s current Canadian membership conditions state that the reward coupon is sent to the Primary member with the annual membership renewal notice.
Costco’s customer-service information says the reward is generally sent about two months before the membership expiry date.
The reward can be used by the Primary member towards eligible purchases at Canadian Costco warehouses. It cannot ordinarily be used directly at Costco gas stations or at Costco.ca.
However, Costco states that a member may redeem an Executive reward in a warehouse towards the purchase of a Costco Shop Card, which can then be used online or at Costco gas stations.
That distinction is useful because a reward certificate and a Shop Card are not the same thing.
Can You Get a Refund If Costco Membership Is Not Worth It?
Costco Canada offers a strong membership risk reversal.
Under its current satisfaction guarantee:
Costco will cancel and refund the membership fee at any time if the member is dissatisfied.
There is an important Executive reward condition, however. Costco’s Canadian terms state that Executive members who downgrade to Gold Star or Business status, or cancel and receive a membership-fee refund, will not receive an Executive reward for that period.
Some articles describe Costco as automatically refunding the difference whenever the Executive reward fails to cover the upgrade fee. That wording is too broad for Canada.
The safer position is that Costco Canada provides its membership satisfaction guarantee, but members considering an Executive downgrade should ask the warehouse membership counter what refund applies in their circumstances and how the change will affect any accrued reward.
Who Can Get a Costco Membership in Canada?
Canada is very different from the UK membership model.
There is no long UK-style list of qualifying professions or employers for an ordinary Canadian Gold Star membership.
Under Costco Canada’s conditions dated August 1, 2026, membership is available to qualifying individuals aged 16 or older.
A Canadian federal or provincial government-issued ID must be presented when applying at a warehouse membership counter.
This is an important correction to older explanations saying applicants must be 18.
Primary and Affiliate members may also receive a free Household card for someone over 16 living at the same address. Proof of the shared address may be requested.
Business membership is different because it is intended for business purchasing, including resale. Business members can add qualifying Affiliates for an additional $65 each.
Canadian shoppers therefore should not copy Costco UK eligibility advice. There is also no need for a special Canadian “online-only membership workaround” simply because someone does not work in an approved profession.
How Much Does Costco Membership Actually Cost After Tax in Each Province?
Costco advertises its Canadian membership fees plus applicable taxes, so the final amount is higher than $65 or $130.
Based on current GST/HST rates, plus Quebec’s QST where applicable, approximate consumer totals are:
| Province or territory | Relevant consumption tax | Gold Star $65 | Executive $130 |
| Alberta | 5% GST | $68.25 | $136.50 |
| British Columbia | 5% GST | $68.25 | $136.50 |
| Manitoba | 5% GST | $68.25 | $136.50 |
| New Brunswick | 15% HST | $74.75 | $149.50 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 15% HST | $74.75 | $149.50 |
| Northwest Territories | 5% GST | $68.25 | $136.50 |
| Nova Scotia | 14% HST | $74.10 | $148.20 |
| Nunavut | 5% GST | $68.25 | $136.50 |
| Ontario | 13% HST | $73.45 | $146.90 |
| Quebec | 5% GST + 9.975% QST | Approx. $74.73 | Approx. $149.47 |
| Prince Edward Island | 15% HST | $74.75 | $149.50 |
| Saskatchewan | 5% GST | $68.25 | $136.50 |
| Yukon | 5% GST | $68.25 | $136.50 |
The CRA currently lists HST at 13% in Ontario, 14% in Nova Scotia and 15% in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and PEI, while the federal GST is 5% in the remaining non-HST provinces and territories. Quebec also operates its QST system.
B.C. explicitly states that ordinary membership fees are generally not subject to provincial PST, provided taxable goods are not supplied as part of the membership.
The $73.45 Ontario Gold Star figure also matches in-warehouse “Gift of Membership” pricing observed after the 2024 increase, while western Canadian Costco membership vouchers have been listed at $68.25 including applicable tax.
These calculations are intended to show the normal consumer cost. Costco’s checkout or membership counter should be treated as definitive, particularly where business tax treatment or an unusual transaction is involved.
For official current rates, see the CRA GST/HST calculator and provincial rates.
Can the CIBC Costco Mastercard Increase the Value Further?
Yes, but the CIBC Costco Mastercard cash back and Costco Executive 2% reward are separate programmes.
Costco explicitly distinguishes the two. A qualifying purchase can therefore potentially contribute to the Executive reward while also producing card cash back, depending on the transaction.
CIBC currently advertises cash-back rates including 3% at Costco gas stations in Canada, 2% at other qualifying gas merchants and EV charging locations within the relevant annual limit, 2% on eligible Costco.ca purchases within its annual limit, 3% at restaurants and 1% on many other qualifying purchases.
Conditions and spending caps apply.That creates an important distinction for fuel.
Costco Gas does not generate the Executive 2% reward, but paying with an eligible CIBC Costco Mastercard can generate the separate CIBC card reward.
Can Costco Gas Alone Justify the Membership Fee?
For drivers who already pass a Costco warehouse with a gas station, fuel can be one of the strongest reasons to retain basic membership.
Canadian Costco fuel prices vary by warehouse and date, and Costco does not promise a fixed discount against competitors.
Third-party Canadian comparisons commonly describe differences around 5 to 15 cents per litre, but members should compare the local pump prices rather than assuming a guaranteed saving.
Consider a driver who fills 50 litres once a week and finds Costco is consistently 10 cents per litre cheaper:
50 litres × $0.10 × 52 weeks = $260 per year
Even after allowing for variation, that can exceed the $65 pre-tax Gold Star membership fee.
The calculation changes if someone has to make a substantial additional journey simply to buy fuel. Driving further consumes fuel and time and can remove much of the saving.
Readers wanting more context on the forces behind Canadian pump prices can read about the factors that drive gas prices in Canada.
What Other Costco Services Can Add Value?
The membership calculation should extend beyond warehouse groceries.
Canadian Costco locations can include gas stations, pharmacies, optical departments, hearing aid centres and tire centres, while qualifying members can also access Costco Travel and Costco’s online services. Availability varies by warehouse.
Executive members can receive the 2% reward on qualifying Costco Travel purchases, with the reward applied after eligible travel has been completed and subject to Costco Travel exclusions.
Costco also operates Business Centres in Canada, including locations in provinces such as Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.
Business Centres carry ranges aimed heavily at restaurants, offices, convenience stores and other commercial buyers, although ordinary Costco members can also benefit from their product selection where access conditions are met.
For households reviewing whether bulk purchasing genuinely reduces their expenditure, these practical ways to save money in Canada provide useful comparisons for grocery, food and fuel spending.
Is Sam’s Club an Alternative to Costco in Canada?
Not in the same way it is in the United States.
Walmart closed its six Canadian Sam’s Club locations in 2009, ending the chain’s Canadian warehouse-club operation.
Canadian shoppers therefore tend to compare Costco’s prices and convenience with businesses such as Walmart, No Frills, other grocery chains and Amazon, rather than making the U.S.-style Costco-versus-Sam’s-Club membership comparison.
The correct comparison also depends on what is being bought. Costco may have a lower unit price on a large package while another retailer offers a lower total purchase cost or a temporary promotion.
Are Costco Products Always Cheaper?
No.
A Costco membership creates access to Costco pricing; it does not guarantee that every product is cheaper than the equivalent at Walmart, No Frills, Amazon or a local supermarket.
A realistic comparison should account for the unit price, pack size, likely consumption, potential food waste, travel cost, competing promotions and any rewards that genuinely apply.
Bulk buying can produce excellent value for a household that consumes the products. It can produce the opposite result when large quantities are bought unnecessarily or spoil before use.
The same principle applies to Executive membership. Spending extra simply to generate a reward is not a saving.
What Should You Check Before Renewing Costco Membership?
Before renewing, compare the membership with the way it was actually used during the previous 12 months.
A useful calculation is:
Product and service savings + genuinely used Executive benefits + rewards − membership fee − extra travel costs − avoidable waste
For an Executive member, also separate total Costco spending from reward,eligible spending.
Gas, pharmacy purchases and several services can make the overall Costco membership valuable while contributing nothing to the Executive 2% calculation.
A household using Same-Day delivery should check how many of the $10 monthly credits were genuinely used. Seven or more fully used credits can change the Executive upgrade calculation dramatically.
Businesses should separately consider whether Business Centre access, purchases for resale and additional Affiliate cards are relevant.
Costco Gold Star vs Executive: The Practical 2026 Decision
For a household that wants Costco access but spends relatively little, Gold Star remains the lower-cost starting point at $65 before tax.
For a household already making more than roughly $3,250 of qualifying purchases each year, the Executive reward can recover the additional $65 upgrade through the 2% reward alone.
For a household making eligible $150+ Same-Day or Instacart purchases regularly, the decision can shift much earlier.
Seven genuinely used $10 monthly credits represent $70 of value, already more than the $65 pre-tax upgrade difference.
For drivers who mainly want cheaper fuel, Gold Star can be sufficient because Costco Gas purchases do not earn the Executive 2% reward.
The strongest case for Executive membership therefore generally comes from a combination of qualifying warehouse spending, online purchases, Costco Travel and genuinely used Executive benefits, rather than from simply spending a large amount anywhere inside Costco’s ecosystem.
Costco Membership Changes Timeline
| Date | Change |
| June 1, 2017 | Gold Star/Business increased to $60; Executive increased to $120 |
| September 1, 2024 | Gold Star/Business increased to $65; Executive increased to $130 |
| September 1, 2024 | Maximum Executive 2% reward increased from $1,000 to $1,250 |
| June 30, 2025 | $10 monthly Executive Same-Day/Instacart credit introduced |
| 2026 | Fees remain $65/$130; Executive benefits continue to evolve |
| September 16, 2026 | Current prices and Canadian membership conditions rechecked |
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is a Costco Membership in Canada in 2026?
Gold Star and Business membership cost $65 per year before applicable taxes. Executive membership costs $130 before applicable taxes.
Did Costco Raise Its Membership Fee in 2026?
No new Canadian membership fee increase has been announced for 2026. The current $65 and $130 fees came into effect on September 1, 2024.
When Was the Last Costco Membership Fee Increase in Canada?
The latest increase took effect on September 1, 2024. Gold Star and Business rose from $60 to $65 and Executive increased from $120 to $130.
How Much Do You Need to Spend for Executive Membership to Pay for the Upgrade?
Approximately $3,250 per year in eligible purchases produces a $65 reward at 2%, equal to the pre-tax difference between Gold Star and Executive.
What Is the Maximum Costco Executive Reward in Canada?
The current maximum is $1,250 per year, corresponding to approximately $62,500 of qualifying annual purchases.
Is the $10 Monthly Costco Credit Available in Canada?
Yes. Eligible Executive members can receive one $10 monthly credit on a qualifying $150+ Same-Day or Costco-via-Instacart order. Unused credits do not roll over.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Join Costco in Canada?
Costco’s current Canadian rules say membership is available to qualifying individuals aged 16 or older. Government-issued identification is required when applying at a warehouse membership counter.
Does Costco Membership Include a Free Second Card?
A Primary or Affiliate member receives one free Household card for someone over 16 who lives at the same address. Costco may request proof of address.
Can Costco Refund a Membership?
Yes. Costco Canada states that it will cancel and refund the membership fee at any time if the member is dissatisfied. Executive members should check how cancellation or downgrading will affect any reward they have accrued.
When Will Costco Increase Membership Fees Again?
Costco has announced no next increase. An analyst historically observed an approximately five-and-a-half-year fee cycle, although the actual 2017-to-2024 gap was more than seven years.
Roughly 2029–2031 may therefore be a period worth monitoring, but there is no confirmed Costco timetable.
