Comments on: Buy Costco Gas without Costco Membership

By: Rick

Rick — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:40:17 +0000

Great, thanks for exposing this hack. Now Costco closed the loophole and I have to borrow my friend’s membership every time I want to get gas. I go to Costco not only because the gas is cheaper, but they don’t hire white trash who spill gas all over my car everytime.

And in Oregon, I do get out and swipe my own card. (Why the hell would I want someone’s gas covered hands touching my credit card?) After paying, I also open the fuel tank and act like I am going to start pumping my own gas. This usually gets me faster service.

By: LW

LW — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:57:05 +0000

Geez… let me see, Costco membership = $50/yr
Executive Membership = $100/yr
American Express (Green) Card = $95/yr

Costco AmEx gives me 3% rebate for gas purchase….

You must be some sort of genius to figure this out….

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:04:58 +0000

Actually, there is a perfectly legitimate way for non-members to buy gas at Costco. Have a member buy you a Costco Cash card, and then use that at the pump. Under Costco’s rules, you are allowed to use a Costco gift card to buy stuff (gas, or stuff inside) without a membership.

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:44:26 +0000

well all gas here in california has 10% ethanal, so its a great deal still.

By: RS

RS — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 03:27:26 +0000

Sluggo,

There is no 2% annual reward (rebate) with the regular membership. If one’s total purchases are high enough, the annual reward will more than pay for the higher “Executive” membership fee with money to spare.

In other words, there is a lower “Executive” price, it’s an extra 2% off of everything in the place. Costco just makes the mistake of figuring that everyone has enough brains to figure this out on their own…

By: costcomama

costcomama — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:02:04 +0000

Policy changed March 2009. Not a member, not even the black american express card will work. Must be a current member to activate the gas pumps. And gas attendents are cutting expired membership cards at the pump, of course, after offering a whole pizza to renew.

By: Thelord

Thelord — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:31:50 +0000

It’s not worth it, Jim. What goeth around cometh around. I’ve learned the hard way that it’s better to squander your money than your integrity.
In some communities you can pick up vegetables or firewood at a roadside stand after hours and leave the money on the table for what you take. Why don’t people just take what they want including the money that’s there? Think about it – that’s the easy way to learn. It’s nice to be able to go around and feel open and free. You feel much more comfortable with other people. The more you take what you know isn’t yours the less you will feel that way, and the more you will feel anxious and uncomfortable with fellow humans; unless you’re a sociopath which I’m sure you’re not, and would never want to be.

By: Sluggo

Sluggo — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:49:56 +0000

All you guys are a bunch of tea bagging pipers! JIM WANG probably voted for OBAMA, so he expects someone else to pay for his gas! And why does Ziggy have an “Executive” Membership? I don’t ever see the regular member price for items in the store, and the “Executive” member price posted below. I hear Costco makes all it’s money on dopes paying for “Executive” memberships! Oh wait, I did see the special parking spaces for the “Executive” members. They are marked with the light blue square and are close to the store’s entrance. Stay with the regular membership. It’s like joining a gym. They hope you visit just a few times. I drive 100 miles to my costco, just for the white gym socks, and the gallon of peanut butter.

By: Zig

Zig — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:10:32 +0000

Not angry, but thanks for the concern for my life. Perhaps you missed the point. Ethics. Members pay to have privileges to make purchases at Costco. Non members are not supposed to shop there. That’s the deal. Simple really. Doesn’t matter (really) the extent of profits, just isn’t ethical to try to cheat others. They’ve saved me a ton of money, have quality merchandise and I enjoy many benefits.

By: Mikeg

Mikeg — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:54:26 +0000

Zig:

First of all, I am a member of Costco. In fact I have 2 membership cards, one for a commercial account (I work at a country club) and a Costco AMEX for a personal account I have with my wife. So I when I’m buying gas there I’m not stealing. I’m also not stealing when I buy gas at Sam’s because I’m a member there too.

Out of curiosity I tested the “any AMEX card theory” with a nearly-depleted AMEX gift card that had been in my wallet for months. The gift card did if fact “unlock” the pump and I filled my tank. Having tested the theory once, I got rid of the gift card.

All of that said, I still don’t believe that Costco is actually loosing money on gasoline. And I still don’t see why anyone would go to that much trouble to save less than $1 on a tank of gas. I think your just a little to concerned about being a member of the “special Costco club” and your angry that some heathens might buy some of your special gasoline. Get a life.

By: Mikeg

Mikeg — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:52:56 +0000

Zig:

All of that said, I still don’t believe that Costco is actually loosing money on gasoline. And I still don’t see why anyone would go to that much trouble to save less than $1 on a tank of gasoline. I think your just a little to concerned about being a member of the “special Costco club” and your angry that some heathens might buy some of your special gasoline. Get a life.

By: Zig

Zig — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:32:46 +0000

“Dishonest? Maybe… Stealing? Now that’s a little bit over the top. ”
I don’t know why you are questioning the honesty of taking gas from a place that’s clearly for members only (who PAY for their membership). Over the top? Please. Sounds like someone cares enough to type type type with little factual knowledge and nothing more than a “scheming” mindset to rip off (and get away with it) whatever’s possible. Sadly, not proud, that some people actually don’t know the difference.

By: jon

jon — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 19:40:08 +0000

Boy what cheapskates….U guys go through all that trouble to save a few cents. I’m an executive member and received almost $400 cash back (American Express and Costco combined) last year. Become a member …its worth it.

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:57:00 +0000

Yeah, my local Costco has signs that say “Only Costco members can buy gas” too.

By: kai

kai — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:35:24 +0000

this no longer works.
they updated the system to deny amex cards.
effective 4/09 for stations in San Jose CA