Cancel Costco Executive Membership 2026: Downgrade and Save $55/Year

The Executive Membership Breakeven Point

Costco Executive membership costs $130/year vs. $65/year for Gold Star — a $65 premium. You earn 2% back on qualifying purchases (capped at $1,250/year). Simple math:

• Breakeven: $3,250/year in Costco spending ($271/month)
• Average Costco trip: $100-150, so you need 2-3 trips/month to break even
• Gas purchases count toward the 2% — check your reward certificate amount
• If your last reward check was under $65, you lost money on Executive

How to Downgrade to Gold Star

Option 1: In-Store (Instant)

1. Visit any Costco warehouse
2. Go to the Membership Counter (not returns)
3. Say: "I'd like to downgrade my Executive membership to Gold Star"
4. They'll process the change and refund the $65 difference prorated
5. Get new membership cards on the spot

Option 2: Phone

1. Call 1-800-774-2678
2. Request Executive to Gold Star downgrade
3. Refund processes to your original payment method

What You Lose (and Don't Lose) by Downgrading

You Lose:

• 2% annual reward on purchases
• Extra discounts on Costco services (travel, auto, home)
• Higher limits on check cashing

You Keep:

• Full warehouse access — same products, same prices
• Costco gas station access (cheapest gas around)
• Costco.com shopping
• Food court access
• Costco Anywhere Visa card rewards (separate from Executive rewards)
• Optical, pharmacy, tire center

The Real Move: Costco Visa + Gold Star

The Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi gives you:

• 4% back on gas (up to $7,000/year, then 1%)
• 3% back on restaurants and travel
• 2% back at Costco (same as Executive reward!)
• 1% on everything else

The Visa card effectively replaces the Executive 2% benefit. If you have the Visa, the Executive upgrade is double-dipping on the same 2% — they don't stack. The Visa alone with Gold Star gives you the same Costco cashback for $65 less per year.

When to Keep Executive

• You spend significantly more than $3,250/year at Costco
• You use Costco Travel frequently (extra savings on Executive)
• Your household shares the membership and total spend is high
• You don't have the Costco Visa card

Cancel Costco Entirely?

If you rarely go:

• Visit the Membership Counter or call 1-800-774-2678
• Full refund of your membership fee, guaranteed
• You can rejoin anytime — Costco doesn't blacklist former members
• Pro tip: Some items (Kirkland batteries, vodka, olive oil) are available on Costco.com to non-members with a 5% surcharge — still often cheaper than retail