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Are you buying gas at Costco Wholesale?
Are you a regular buyer at Costco? Do you have a Costco Wholesale membership that gives a multitude of services for discount?
If so, you’re in luck. That Costco membership lets you shave a few dollars off your Costco gas purchases.
However, do note that buying gas at Costco isn’t like buying anywhere else.
It’s a process that takes some getting used to. And we’ll discuss that in-detail below, by mentioning 6 facts you should know!
#1 – Check Prices Before Heading off for a Refill.
Any local Costco should show the current prices for gas sales. They’re usually displayed either at the food court, or close to the club’s entrance.
However, we recommend checking long before that. You can search online for Costco gas prices, or even download an app to help you out
(Recommendation: Try GasBuddy for a good list of affordable gas stations. It’s free, and works on both Apple and Android).
Notes on Costco Gas Prices.
Compared to competitors, Costco likes to drop gas prices by a few cents. And in many instances, it’ll sell it at 30¢ less per gallon.
That price drop is amazing if Costco is close to your residence. However, if it’s far away, then that price change might not be worth it.
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In that case, we recommend a refill the gas after your next Costco shopping visit. That way, you can hit 2 birds with 1 stone!
#2 – Find the Optimal Time to Purchase Gas
That is, you need to find the best day (and week) to get a gas refill at Costco.
Why? It’s because you want to avoid crowdedness. Costco tends to have a long waiting line for gas purchases. So it’s best to schedule your refill when few cars are lined up.
We recommend getting your gas refills at Costco during peak day hours. Early mornings, mid-working hours, and middle of week visits are best.
Another Tip: Visit Costco gas station a Little too Early.
Costco tends to open its gas stations before its warehouse clubs. Many warehouses open at 10AM, with gas stations opening as early as 6AM.
You can visit Costco gas station few hours early for the refill. There’s no need to wait till 10. That way, you get a refill (while being the only car in-line)!
#3 – Your Gas Tank’s Position Doesn’t Matter
Most gas stations require you to properly position your car for a refill.
You have to think about which side your gas tank is on, then pull up accordingly.
But, this is different with Costco. You never have to consider your in and out driving strategy. The hoses at Costco are quite long, and the gas pumps are positioned for two-side fill-ups!
#4 – Stick to the Side Lanes (Don’t Block Middle Lanes).
If you aren’t a regular gas buyer at Costco, then the middle-lane design might confuse you.
Basically, middle lanes are there to allow for easy movement. That is, it lets cars move in and out of the Costco gas station without blocking one another.
#5 – Keep Your Membership Card in-Hand.
You can only access Costco’s gas stations if you’re a member.
When approaching a gas pump, you’ll need to swipe your Costco membership card first. Following that, you’ll use your VISA or any PIN-based card.
You can also use Costco cash cards. And here, you don’t have to be a member to get one.
You Save More Cash by Carrying a “Costco Anywhere” VISA.
If you use Citi’s Costco Anywhere Visa, you get discounts on gas purchases. Basically, you get a 4% cash back on Costco gas purchase.
This applies to the starting $7000 Costco gas purchases/per year. Following that, the cash back drops to 1%.
#6 – Costco Only Sells Top Tier Gas
While Costco may offer the most affordable gas in any location, it still offers quality.
The top tier fuel means that it’s cleaner for your automobile. You can feel safe paying for clean gas that lets your engine work effectively and smoothly.
About Costco Costs – How much is the Costco Gas Price?
Let’s look at recent data (Mid-February 2020).
AAA tells us that a gallon of unleaded gas is at a national average of $2.42 (source). Prices on average will fluctuate along that $2.40 mark.
For example, as of mid-February, gas in California is at $3.50 per gallon. Alternatively, gas at Indiana is $2.30 per gallon.
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Expect the average price of Costco gas to be a few cents lower than the state average. For example, you can expect to see Costco gas in California at $3.00 to $3.10 per gallon.
Also, expect Costco gas prices to differ within state, from one city to another.
For example, in California, gas at Mono costs $4.50 per gallon (the highest nationwide). Yet, gas in Los Angeles is somewhere around the $3.50 mark.
Basically, the Costco price you pay for refilling depends on the state you’re in – and the specific city. So be sure to check Costco gas prices around, and switch to the most affordable!
Basically – Should You Become a Regular Buyer of Costco Gas?
Is it a good idea to buy gas from Costco? Do we recommend you become a member (and regular buyer) of their gas?
The answer is, it depends. If you’re in the habit of driving to a nearby Costco, then it’s a good idea to refuel often. There’s a chance that you’ll save a lot of money.
We recommend checking out Costco gas prices in your location.You have to compare which places are worth driving too for a refill.
Another Note on gas prices
Gas prices have a lot to do with taxes.
In certain cities like Chicago, you may not gain the discounts you desire from Costco. However, this shouldn’t be much of an issue.
A multitude of stores offer loyalty programs that let you save gas costs. You’ll find grocery stores with cash back, credit card reward, and gallon discount systems.
You can research them all, and in conjunction with the cheapest gas stations in town (use the Gas Buddy app to help you).
But overall, cutting gas costs shouldn’t be tough. It’s simple a matter of patience, proper planning, and knowing how to shop!
David Ray
Bhavna Sarma
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