How to Cancel Your Costco Membership in 2026

Costco offers something almost no other membership does: a full refund at any time, no questions asked. Whether you've been a member for 1 month or 10 years, here's how to cancel and get your money back.

✅ Great news: Costco's refund policy is genuinely no-hassle. They refund your full annual fee at any point during your membership year. No retention scripts, no guilt trips.

Cancel In-Store (Fastest)

Go to the Membership Counter at any Costco warehouse
Tell them you want to cancel your membership
They'll process the cancellation and refund on the spot
Refund goes back to your original payment method (or cash if you paid cash)

Cancel Online

Go to costco.com → sign in
Click Account → Membership
Click Cancel Membership
Follow the prompts — refund processes within 5-7 business days

Cancel by Phone

Call 1-800-774-2678 and ask to cancel. Wait times are typically short (5-10 min). The agent will confirm your info and process the cancellation.

Membership Costs

Gold Star: $65/year — basic warehouse + online access
Executive: $130/year — adds 2% cashback reward (max $1,250/year)

Executive math: You need to spend $6,500+/year at Costco for the Executive upgrade to pay for itself. If you spend less, stick with Gold Star or cancel entirely.

What You Lose

Warehouse shopping access
Costco.com online ordering (most items)
Costco gas stations (often 20-40¢/gallon cheaper)
Costco Travel deals
Costco pharmacy (prescription prices)
Optical and hearing aid centers

What You Can Still Use Without a Membership

Not many people know this, but some Costco services don't require membership:

Pharmacy: State laws require pharmacies to serve non-members in most states
Food court: Some locations allow non-member access (varies by location)
Costco.com: Non-members can shop online with a 5% surcharge
Gift cards: Buy a Costco Shop Card from a member and use it without membership
Alcohol: In some states, you don't need a membership to buy alcohol at Costco

Is Costco Actually Saving You Money?

The honest answer: it depends on your household size and shopping habits.

Worth it if: Family of 3+, you buy bulk staples, use Costco gas regularly, or travel
Not worth it if: Single or couple, limited storage space, or you end up buying things you don't need because they seem like a good deal

The "Costco trap": many members spend MORE overall because bulk pricing encourages buying items they wouldn't have purchased otherwise.

⚡ Strategic tip: If you're on the fence, cancel right before your renewal date — you get a full refund for the current year AND you've been shopping all year. Costco's policy makes this completely legitimate.

Alternatives

Sam's Club: $50/year, similar warehouse model, better online grocery delivery
BJ's Wholesale: $55/year, accepts manufacturer coupons (Costco doesn't)
Aldi/Lidl: No membership needed, consistently low prices on groceries
Amazon Subscribe & Save: Bulk pricing without a warehouse trip

Annual Savings: $65-$130/Year

Canceling saves $65 (Gold Star) or $130 (Executive) per year. But do the math on gas savings alone — if you fill up weekly at Costco and save 30¢/gallon on a 15-gallon tank, that's $234/year in gas savings, making the membership pay for itself.

🔍 Costco is just one line item on your statement. Upload your bank statement to JustCancel — we'll find every recurring charge and help you decide what to cut.