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A Costco shopper says the warehouse’s new perk for executive members changed the game at her busy Northern California location.
A Costco executive membership costs $130 annually, compared to the $65 base-level gold membership. This is a $10 and $5 hike from last year, respectively, that didn’t come without added benefits and steady, low prices.
While executive members pay double, they receive perks such as increased rewards and exclusive shopping hours.
What Is Costco’s New Store Policy For Executive Members?
TikToker Betsabe Ayala (@betsabealaya2) says she took advantage of Costco’s new policy, which allows executive members to shop the store from 9am to 10am Sunday through Friday before standard members crowd the store.
On Saturdays, executive members can shop from 9am to 9:30am. Costco rolled out the new policy in all warehouses on June 30.
“That has changed my life,” she says, noting that her Costco in Concord, Calif., gets so crowded it “feels like the only Costco in California.”
However, during executive hours, she says “no one” shops.
What Do Costco Members Think?
Many executive members encouraged Ayala to gatekeep the tier’s benefits to prevent more shoppers from upgrading.
“Once everyone becomes an executive member, then none will be an executive member,” one says.
“It’ll change once people realize it,” another warns.
Costco’s executive membership sign-ups went up by 9% year-over-year, according to CNN. Shoppers in the pricey membership tier account for over 73% of the warehouse’s sales.
Others raved about the new executive hours.
“I went on Sunday at 9 and it was amazing,” a commenter wrote.
“I get so overwhelmed normally. 9-10 was amazing!” another said.
“I loved it! Walked in at 9, walked out at 10 with people coming in. Very little crowd, and easy, smooth check out. It was amazing!” a third added.
BroBible reached out to Ayala and to Costco for further comment.
Content shared from brobible.com.