Become a Costco Member and Get a FREE $45 Shop Card!

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Don’t miss out on this Groupon Costco membership offer!

Costco Membership Card in front of Costco

For a limited time only, head over to Groupon to score a FREE $45 Digital Shop Card with a Costco Gold Star Membership or a Costco Executive Star Membership!

Choose the best Costco membership for your family:

Costco Gold Star 1-Year Membership
Just $65 + FREE $45 Digital Shop Card!

Costco Executive 1-Year Membership
Just $130 + FREE $45 Digital Shop Card!

Follow these steps to get your free $45 Shop Card:

  • First, buy the Costco Membership on Groupon
  • Then check the email account you used on Groupon to purchase this offer
  • Look in your inbox or spam/trash folder for a confirmation email from Costco with the subject line: “Thank You for your New Costco Membership” from the email address no-reply@costco.com. Keep in mind that you’ll need to allow up to 2 hours to receive this confirmation email.
  • Within 2 weeks of signing up, look for the $45 Costco Shop Card to arrive via email
  • The free $45 Shop Card offer is only valid for new members or those whose previous memberships have been expired for at least 18 months or more.

To receive a physical Costco membership card, head to the membership counter at your local Costco and show your photo ID and a copy of your Costco or Groupon confirmation email. You do not need to have a physical membership card in order to receive the free $45 Shop Card.

Costco sheet cake with a rainbow and "Hip2Save loves Costco" written in frosting

A $65 Costco Gold Star membership comes with one additional membership card for a household member who is over the age of 16 and living at the same address.

With an Executive Membership for $130, you’ll get 2% cash back on ALL qualified Costco purchases!

That includes a ton of our favorite items, like Costco’s seasonal and home goods, pre-made meals, and that delectable sheet cake. 🤤 Yes, 2% CASH BACK ON CAKE!!

Plus, you’ll get discounts on more than just in-warehouse goods! Costco has an entire roster of services available to help its members with everything from car loans to travel savings, car & home insurance savings, and even identity protection. While these services are open to Gold Star members as well, Executive members may receive lower rates.

hand holding Costco membership poster

Plus, you’ll have access to Unexpected Items as a Costco member!

Costco’s neat “Unexpected Items” page highlights all the products that–you guessed it! You wouldn’t expect to find at Costco or on Costco.com. They have plenty of useful (and interesting!) items that you probably never knew you needed, and Costco is also a great starting point for finding some gift inspiration.

Since Costco sells such a wide variety of items online that you can get shipped right to you, you can benefit from a membership even if you don’t live close to a Costco location. 🙌


About the writer:

Chelsey is a writer & photographer with both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree from Arizona State University. She holds 3+ years blogging experience not only for Hip2Save, but various other publications in the health, lifestyle, and education field.


Join The Discussion

Comments 22

  1. Kelly

    Thanks for posting! Mine is about to expire. I realize this says it is for new members. If I am the primary account and added my husband to my account, if he signed up would they consider him a new member? Thanks much for all you guys do!!! And all you give back!

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      You’re so welcome! I have heard where that has worked for some. You could always double check with Costco Customer service to be sure. ❤️

    • Beth

      It will not work. I was on as a secondary under my husband and his membership expired a few months ago. I signed up under my name thinking hey I haven’t had my own membership I’ll get the $45 and I didn’t get it. I called them and they said no because you were on his membership you don’t qualify. You would’ve had to have been expired for over 18 months to qualify.

  2. Kelly

    Just a heads up for anyone else, I did call and check and they said no, my husband could not do the Groupon deals as it is for new household only. Since my husband was on my account before and it’s only expired a month his being listed on my account excludes him. Thanks for the tip on calling Amber!

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      You’re SO very welcome! I’m happy they could look into that for you! We sure appreciate the update too as this is helpful for others to know as well! 💕🙌 Thanks so much!

  3. TS

    I’m still waiting for my gift card from when I signed up during the last promo. Has anyone received theirs? If so, did it come in an email? What email address was it sent from and what was the subject line? Thanks.

    • Jessica (Hip Sidekick)

      Hey there TS! I checked through some previous comments from when we’ve posted this deal before, and it looks like readers did receive their shop card at about 2 weeks via email – though no one shared the email address it arrived from. If you haven’t already, you might check your spam/junk inboxes as well, as it may have landed there. You might also do an “all mailbox” type of search for “costco” as that would likely pop-up any emails that would have that offer. Hoping you spot it soon! 🤞

    • Andriea Schotter

      It’s been about 5 weeks and I haven’t received mine either. I called Costco after 2 weeks and they said it usually takes longer.

  4. Marie

    Is there an restrictions on the $45.00 gift card, like do you have to spend a certain amount of money?

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Hey Marie! You don’t need to spend a certain amount to use it. Here are additional details they have noted for that – “$45 Digital Costco Shop Card – Not redeemable for cash, except as required by law. Digital Costco Shop Cards are not accepted at Costco Gas Stations, Car Washes, or Food Court Kiosks.

      Digital Costco Shop Card will be emailed within 2 weeks after sign-up to qualifying members. The Digital Costco Shop Card will be emailed to the email address provided by the Primary Member at time of sign up. ”

      You can always reach out to customer service with any other questions on that! Hope this helps! 🥰

    • Jessica (Hip Sidekick)

      Thanks so much for sharing the email your Costco shop care arrived from, Lizzy! Super helpful for others who may be keeping an eye out for it. 🥰

  5. VickiT

    Is the a membership linked to an email address or actual address or ID’s?? Would it work with a different email?

    • Trish (Hip Sidekick)

      The membership is linked to your email address, but may also include your name and mailing address. You could always check with Costco customer service to be sure. 💖

  6. Anne H.

    Is there any way to give this as a gift to someone not in my household? May daughter recently moved out and I would like it to be a surprise if possible.

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Great question! I did find these details for you if helpful! 🤗
      “Yes, you can purchase a Costco membership through Groupon as a gift. Groupon offers giftable vouchers, making it easy to buy and send a membership to someone else.

      However, it’s important to note that the recipient must be a new Costco member or someone whose previous membership has been expired for at least 18 months. Additionally, each household is limited to one membership and incentive.

      Alternatively, Costco offers a ‘Gift of Membership’ that can be purchased directly at their warehouses or online. This gift can be redeemed by the recipient at their Costco Customer Service.

      Before purchasing, it’s advisable to review the specific terms and conditions on Groupon’s website to ensure the gift aligns with your recipient’s needs.”

      You could also reach out to customer service for further details. Hoping this is helpfu! ❤️

      • Anne H

        Thank you for your research. I had spent a while reading and re-reading the information and just didn’t see anything. I also was rushed because the offer was expiring yesterday.

        I was able to purchase it using her information. She asked me “why am I getting weird emails from Groupon?” I told her not to open it. She got it that it is a gift.

        • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

          Aww, You’re so welcome! Glad you were able to go ahead and grab it for her! Thanks for the update, Anne H! Excited for her to receive it! ✨🤗❤️

  7. Sue

    I spoke with a Costco rep thru the chat function. He answered that while the membership is linked by email, they still use other identifiers to recognize duplicate accounts such as Drivers License and address. Hence, I may not be able to use this deal. Glad I asked first before I purchased it.

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Thanks so much for the helpful update, Sue! Good to know what items they may be looking at.

  8. Kristi

    I bought a similar deal in October, went into the store they said everything was fine I should receive my gift card via email waited months and finally called Costco they said it had been just under 18 months since my last membership expired so I ‘didn’t qualify’. What a waste. I could’ve waited some days to redeem if the store would’ve told me. Very disappointing customer service Costco. So just bought a full price membership for nothing.

    • Trish (Hip Sidekick)

      So sorry to hear you didn’t qualify for this promotion, Kristi! 😔 Thanks for mentioning this requirement. I do see this listed in the terms and conditions of this offer – Valid only for new members or those whose previous memberships have been expired for at least 18 months or more.

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