What’s that you say? You’re not fully aware of the myriad of perks that come with being part of the club? Here’s a closer look at some of the additional ways your membership can save you serious money, and in some cases, even make your life a little (or a lot) easier. Costco Travel offers members the ability to book destinations, hotels, and cruises through the club. More importantly, the wholesale behemoth uses its substantial purchasing power to negotiate serious deals that it passes along to members. In Chavez’s case, using Costco’s travel benefit consistently translates into serious savings. “My husband and I paid $1,775 per person for seven nights at an all-inclusive resort in the Maldives in February,” she says. “Flights, airport transfers, and all-inclusive accommodations were all included in this price. When we tested American Express, the same package cost $1,950 per user. We spent the $350 we saved booking through Costco on a dolphin cruise and had a great time.” Costco Optical provides vision services to members whether or not they have vision insurance (though it also accepts most major insurance coverage). “The fuel is top tier, which means it follows a high-quality level and includes detergents to keep your engine clean,” says Chavez. “Costco’s extended warranty on electronics is the best in the business. For example, if you buy an iPhone at Costco, you will receive an additional one-year warranty beyond the manufacturer’s warranty,” says Scott Killmer of Car Windshields. “If you buy the same phone at Best Buy or any other major electronic retailer, you will not only not receive an extended warranty, but you will also have to pay an additional fee for [it].” “It can be delivered directly to your location, and most items will have a warranty protecting your purchase,” says Doichev. “I’ve used Costco to ship my workstation directly to my home office…the convenience was [very] important as I have pretty packed days with consulting and developing Inc and Go. I comparison-shopped first and found I was saving 10 to 15 percent on the cost of furnishings.”
