Here’s how the keys to the Costco kingdom can be yours
Costco Just Extended Its Store Hours—But There’s a Catch
Published on Jun. 11, 2025
There’s very little in life that’s more exciting than a trip to Costco. So much promise! So much possibility! So many price cuts! Maybe that’s why it hits so hard when you head to a crowded store at peak shopping times and discover the $4.99 rotisserie chickens are sold out and there are no more free samples. It’s just so darn disappointing.
If only Costco opened earlier, you could have beaten the rush and gotten the goods. Well, your wish is about to be granted, because that’s exactly what’s happening very soon at Costco stores across the country … though there is one small catch.
Keep reading to find out more about Costco’s brand-new extended hours and how you can take advantage of them.
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Who is Costco extending store hours for?
Executive Members, this one’s for you! These extended hours apply only to those with this higher-tier Costco membership. And yes, that’s the catch.
Costco currently opens at 10 a.m. at most locations (though some do open earlier), and that will still be the case for those who have the basic Gold Star Membership. But soon, Executive Members will be able to shop up to a whole hour earlier than everyone else: from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on weekends.
This new scheduling change will go into effect on June 30.
What is the Executive Membership?
Costco’s Executive Membership is the highest tier of Costco membership, and it includes premium benefits that Gold Star Members don’t receive. However, the Gold Star Membership is the more popular, more affordable option among Costco shoppers. While the Gold Star Membership is just $65 per year, an Executive Membership is nearly double—$130 per year.
That said, depending on what you buy and how much you shop, members will say that it practically pays for itself. And that’s not even including the other perks you’ll get with it, as you’ll see below.
What other perks come with Executive Membership?
There’s a good reason that a Costco Executive Membership is more expensive than a Gold Star Membership: Executive Members get even more savings and some really incredible perks! An Executive Membership includes all the same benefits of a Gold Star Membership, but it also includes a 2% cashback reward on qualified Costco purchases. Plus, it offers things like members-only auto pricing, bottled-water delivery and additional benefits when shopping with Costco Travel—including 2% cashback rewards, which can really add up. Executive Members are also privy to Costco’s excellent mortgage and refinancing services. (Yes, you read that right.)
There’s also another new Executive Membership benefit heading to a Costco location near you: Soon, Executive Members will receive a $10 monthly credit on Instacart orders over $150. That can work out to $120 in savings per year alone!
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Source:
- Costco Insider: “New Executive Member Early Hours Coming Soon”
