Costco still slashes pump prices
Drivers can save 10–30¢ per gallon at Costco compared with local stations right now — a modest but real buffer against volatile retail fuel prices. (money.usnews.com) For regular commuters, that gap adds up into meaningful monthly savings if nearby locations are stocked and membership math checks out. (money.usnews.com)
Costco cardholders now earn 5% cash back on gasoline bought at Costco pumps after the co‑branded Citi card’s rewards were raised in January 2026, a change that applies only to fuel bought at Costco locations. (foxbusiness.com)) The company operated 747 gas stations at the end of fiscal 2025, and gasoline accounted for roughly 10% of Costco’s net sales that year, underlining fuel’s material role in the retailer’s business mix. (d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net)) Costco’s stated retail strategy for fuel is asymmetric pricing—raising pump prices more slowly when wholesale costs climb and trimming margins when costs fall—an approach executives say preserves member value during volatile markets. (thestreet.com)) Fuel costs at the pump have been rising nationwide; GasBuddy reported the U.S. average jumped 23.2 cents in the week to March 16, 2026, to $3.68 per gallon, increasing the value of any outlet that stays below nearby retail prices. (gasbuddy.com)) Costco is expanding how members access its fuel: the chain plans to open its first standalone Costco gas station (separate from a warehouse) by the end of June 2026, a pilot that could change where and how non‑warehouse shoppers buy Kirkland‑branded fuel. (usatoday.com)) A basic Costco Gold Star membership costs $65 per year and Executive membership $130, figures the company updated after its September 2024 fee change and that factor directly into whether pump savings offset annual dues. (customerservice.costco.com))
