Surprise, I don't miss Costco
Jun 18, 2018, 2:53 pm
#31
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,967
FWIW, if you've got Instacart, you can shop from Costco using AmEx (but I think it's via IC's membership number and not yours, but don't quote me on that).
Jun 18, 2018, 4:10 pm
#32
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Newton Centre, MA, USA
Programs: DL 2MM Gold, AA Plat Pro; Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium (via SPG), IHG Plat
Posts: 2,192
We are cynics, sure, but we are allowed to call out some of the suspicious elements of someone's first post being negative. I will also point out that as of my post, Leonard's user panel says "Last Activity: Yesterday 3:28 pm" which is when this post was made. So he posted this and never came back to see what any of us think.
Jul 7, 2018, 12:00 am
#34
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
Jul 8, 2018, 5:30 pm
#36
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,978
I use US Bank Altitude Reserve at Costco with Samsung or Google Pay for 4.5% on everything, including gas. No Amex was able to match this at Costco in the past, but I was using Amex GCs I bought through a portal, or VGC/MCGC in a debit mode. Visa is better cause there are more choices. I also buy cash cards online with Citi AT&T AM for 3x TYPs.
Jul 9, 2018, 11:06 pm
#37
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: SW Michigan, ex SF Bay Area
Posts: 831
Sam's Club, at least in my area, no longer requires you to show a card to enter. I believe this changed sometime last year.
Regarding the original topic, I’m glad Costco switched to Visa, as it makes it easier for me to use the credit cards I already have. I’ve been contemplating getting an AmEx card, but haven’t yet convinced myself that it’s worth it.
Jul 10, 2018, 8:33 am
#38
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,785
When Costco switched to VISA, I stopped having an Amex card. I really only used it for Costco and for the Amex offers. It was kind of the same with Discover card. When Costco switched from Discover to Amex, I stopped having the Discover card. Our family shopped at Costco/Price Club since the 80's so that habit was hard to break. Even though I buy most of the stuff from Amazon, I still spend about $400 to $500 a month at Costco just on food and random stuff.
Jul 11, 2018, 6:24 pm
#39
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 10
Somehow I had never heard about the 15% off service at participating dealers. Mine participates. Thank you for posting and helping me love Costco just a little more.
Costco isn't for everyone I guess. Their travel page alone saves me more than my membership annually - most recently they got my wife an Enterprise rental for $9/day versus her corporate $32/day, and a free upgrade. The CostcoAuto program includes 15% off service at participating dealers, worth $42.75 on the work I had done earlier this month.
I was sad when Costco and Amex's relationship ended, but I manage to still be fans of both companies. Their Citi card is my daily card too, as little as I like to admit it on this forum
I was sad when Costco and Amex's relationship ended, but I manage to still be fans of both companies. Their Citi card is my daily card too, as little as I like to admit it on this forum
Jul 12, 2018, 5:56 am
#40
Join Date: May 2002
Location: STL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, DL SkClub LT, Marr LT Plat, IHG Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 2,005
The AmEx change got me to try Sams in my area last year....and (GASP!) I actually prefer Sams because....
1) The gas pump line is rarely more than one or two deep. Costco is consistently 5-10 cars deep and you better bring a book if you dare try to get Costco gas on a weekend.
2) The "we think you're a thief until you show me your receipt" line at Costco exit doors is always much longer than at Sams.
3) No self checkout at my Costco while Sams has them. I can appreciate those that go to humans because it saves jobs but I want to get the hell outta the store ASAP. Sams self checkouts always saves 5-10 minutes in line vs Costco.
4) No requirement to show a card at entry. Not a big time saver but it's a nuisance when you have to stop and fish in the pocket for the card at Costco.
5) I can use my AmEx!
1) The gas pump line is rarely more than one or two deep. Costco is consistently 5-10 cars deep and you better bring a book if you dare try to get Costco gas on a weekend.
2) The "we think you're a thief until you show me your receipt" line at Costco exit doors is always much longer than at Sams.
3) No self checkout at my Costco while Sams has them. I can appreciate those that go to humans because it saves jobs but I want to get the hell outta the store ASAP. Sams self checkouts always saves 5-10 minutes in line vs Costco.
4) No requirement to show a card at entry. Not a big time saver but it's a nuisance when you have to stop and fish in the pocket for the card at Costco.
5) I can use my AmEx!
Jul 18, 2018, 3:33 pm
#41
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Marriott Platinum, EVA Silver
Posts: 41
A bit surprised to see such a large discussion over Costco checking membership at the door. I've been to Costco hundreds of times throughout the West Coast, and the only time I've ever been militantly checked for my Costco membership was not in the US (in Taiwan; another Costco benefit: global membership, though there's little reason to buy bulk if you're traveling). I usually preemptively flash my membership card but when I haven't I have never been questioned.
Just buying gas saves me on the membership fees. As others have said, the key is to go during off-peak hours. Lunch usually works quite well.
Just buying gas saves me on the membership fees. As others have said, the key is to go during off-peak hours. Lunch usually works quite well.
Jul 19, 2018, 8:43 pm
#42
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
A bit surprised to see such a large discussion over Costco checking membership at the door. I've been to Costco hundreds of times throughout the West Coast, and the only time I've ever been militantly checked for my Costco membership was not in the US (in Taiwan; another Costco benefit: global membership, though there's little reason to buy bulk if you're traveling). I usually preemptively flash my membership card but when I haven't I have never been questioned.
Just buying gas saves me on the membership fees. As others have said, the key is to go during off-peak hours. Lunch usually works quite well.
Just buying gas saves me on the membership fees. As others have said, the key is to go during off-peak hours. Lunch usually works quite well.
Jul 21, 2018, 8:48 am
#44
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry
Posts: 2,862
I've tried to love Costco. I just couldn't do it. For one, it's a hassle most of the time. To get to is about 20 minutes. Getting gas is usually a cluster unless you go the right time of the day. To run in for something quick turns into a longer ordeal. I tried booking my cruise through Costco, and it was no better of a deal. The local grocery store is cheaper. Gas is almost even when I get my discounted gas gift cards (and I don't buy a lot of gas anyway). Electronics are not usually much different. I do like their meats and food court a lot though.
They really don't have a ton of stuff that "can't be beat on price". With that said, I see the appeal for its base. Their everyday prices are pretty good overall. Especially for that wealthier crowd who wants good value for their money, but doesn't want to have to take the time shopping around.
They really don't have a ton of stuff that "can't be beat on price". With that said, I see the appeal for its base. Their everyday prices are pretty good overall. Especially for that wealthier crowd who wants good value for their money, but doesn't want to have to take the time shopping around.
Jul 22, 2018, 1:05 am
#45
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
They really don't have a ton of stuff that "can't be beat on price". With that said, I see the appeal for its base. Their everyday prices are pretty good overall. Especially for that wealthier crowd who wants good value for their money, but doesn't want to have to take the time shopping around.