Yes, but we have found it worthwhile to be members of both. At least around here (southern Chicago suburbs), they carry enough different stuff from each other to make it sensible for us.

As for Sam's making it hard to find out about this CC, not in our store. There are flyers all over the place including by each register and you can't miss them. I think they mailed one to me, too.

Another wrinkle with Costco $100 business membership is that you can sign other people up (your COUGH "employees") and they can save a little on the annual fee. Something like $35 instead of $45. As a business member in addition to the 2% back, you get extra discounts, like on credit card processing fees, that may make it worthwhile.

I always easily save more than the annual $100 fee on the rebates (e.g. $5.50 per case of Pilsner Urquell, limit 2) and the two-for-one offers that run all the time.

A pretty much unpublicized monster deal is available from certain Costcos: Free delivery! If that ever comes here, it would save me a ton of time and trouble.

http://www.costco.com/Service/Featur...uctNo=10166073

If you want to sign up with Costco, please let me refer you. I think I get $10 or something.