Costco members push back on new shopping rules set to hit this week — here’s the 1 big change that’s causing a stir. Does it bother you?

But not everyone is cheering. When Costco announced the policy change, some shoppers accused the warehouse giant of favoring big spenders.

Does the upgrade pay off?

At $130 a year, Costco’s Executive Membership costs twice as much as its Gold Membership. The return on investment depends largely on a customer’s shopping frequency and spending habits.

With inflation still squeezing household budgets, bulk shopping has become a strategy for many. A Lending Tree [7] analysis found that bulk purchases can reduce costs by an average of 27% across 30 everyday products, including essentials such as paper towels, bottled water and batteries.

Costco’s Executive Members also get 2% back on most purchases for up to $1,000 a year. That means if you need to spend at least $3,000 annually — about $250 a month — just to break even on an Executive Membership compared to a standard membership. Anything beyond that, and the membership starts paying for itself.

Perks like the $10 monthly credit on eligible online orders can tip the math in your favor if you frequently shop online. If your Costco runs are limited to just gas, snacks and the occasional rotisserie chicken, the upgrade might not be worth it.

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[1]. Economic Times. “Costco’s new policy takes effect: Who will be denied entry and what are the major changes” [2]. Business Insider. “Costco's average customer shops there at least twice per month and spends around $100 on each visit” [3]. Business Insider. “Costco is bringing back a perk to help shoppers beat the crowds — if you have an executive membership” [4]. Costco. “What is the difference between each type of membership?” [5]. Costco. “3rd Quarter FY 2025 Supplemental Information” [6]. Reddit. “New Executive Hours:” [7]. Lending Tree. “Buying in Bulk Could Save Shoppers 27%, on Average — Led by Paper Towels, Water and Batteries”