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7 Things To Know Before You Buy Gas at Costco

By Patricia Crowley, 1 year ago

If you're a Costco member and still need to fill up your car's gas tank at their gas station, you may be missing out on significant savings.

Click here for Gas Station Details @ Costco

As reported by GasBuddy, Costco gas prices are considerably lower than the average gas station in most areas, and their Kirkland branded fuel is considered top quality.

But before you head to Costco for your next fill-up, there are some things you should know to make the most of your membership benefits. In this post, we'll cover seven things you should know before buying gas at Costco.

Whether you're a new member to Costco or just looking for specific questions like gas station hours, gas price or whether you can buy gas without having a membership, this post will give you the rundown.

Costco Gas Hours

While the hours for Costco gas stations are pretty standard, you'll want to check your store hours here to see what your local stores hours are, here are the standard hours for most Costco gas stations:

Monday	6:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Tuesday	6:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Wednesday	6:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Thursday	6:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Friday	6:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Saturday	7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday	7:00 AM - 8:00 PM

1. Check Costco Gas Prices Before You Go

Before heading out to fill up your tank at Costco, it's always a good idea to check their gas prices online or through a gas price comparison app.

To find Costco Gas prices before you leave your home go to the Store Finder Page, enter your zip code and you'll be able to see the current price for gas at your local Costco fuel station.

You can also use an app like GasBuddy to check Costco gas prices before you leave but I find that it can be quicker and easier when you enter your zip code on the Costco website to see gas prices.

At the same time, Costco gas prices are typically lower than the average gas station but fluctuate based on market conditions and regional differences. You can ensure you get the best deal by checking the prices beforehand this way you know you're saving the most by going with Costco gas.

2. Know When The Gas Station Opens and Closes

As previously mentioned, Costco gas station hours may vary by location and are subject to change. Knowing when your local gas station opens and closes is important so you can plan your fill-ups accordingly. If you arrive outside their operating hours, you may be unable to access the discounted fuel.

Check when you local Costco gas station open and closes here.

3. Can only Costco Members Get Gas?

In most cases, only Costco members can access their gas stations.

While generally yes, there is one exception. If you have a Costco Shop card, you do not need to be a member to fill up your tank. This is a great workaround for non-members who want to take advantage of the discounted fuel prices at Costco. You can purchase a Costco Cash card, which can be used to buy discounted gas and shop at the warehouse.

The Cash card can be bought online or in the warehouse, with a maximum value of $500. Another exception is New Jersey, where state law allows anyone to buy gas at Costco without being a member.

4. Can You Get Gas After Hours at Costco?

Some Costco gas stations may offer 24-hour access to their fuel pumps, but this varies by location.

If your local gas station has limited operating hours, you may only be able to fill up your tank during those times. It's important to check the gas station hours beforehand to avoid any potential issues.

5. Don't Get Gas On Weekends

While Costco gas prices are typically lower than other gas stations, they can be even lower on weekdays.

Try to fill up your tank during the week to take advantage of the best deals. On weekends, there may be more demand for their discounted fuel, resulting in longer lines and wait times.

6. Who Cannot Buy Gas At Costco

If you're looking to fill up your tank at Costco, it's important to note that non-members can only take advantage of the discounted gas prices if they pay with a Costco Cash card.

Additionally, if you're an Executive member, you won't receive the same 2% cashback reward on gas that you do on other purchases at the warehouse. Another thing to keep in mind is that if you don't have a Visa card, you can still use most PIN debit cards, Costco Credit, and Costco Cash cards to pay for your gas.

7. Use the Costco Visa and Get 4% Back on Gas

If you want to save even more on gas, consider using the Costco Anywhere Visa from Citi. You'll earn 4% cash back on gas at all gas stations, not just Costco. This means you're doubling your savings by taking advantage of Costco's already low gas prices and earning cashback with your credit card.

It's important to note that Citi imposes a yearly limit of $7,000 on the amount of gas spending eligible for cashback. Once you reach that limit, you won't receive any more cashback for gas purchases for the rest of the year.