6 Costco Perks That Could Come as a Surprise Even to Regular Shoppers

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If you're a Costco member, you undoubtedly know that you can get great deals on a huge number of products, including gas and bulk grocery items. But even those who visit the warehouse club on a regular basis may not be aware of all the perks their membership offers.

In fact, these six benefits could come as a big surprise -- even if you're in the club all the time.

1. Free tech support

If you're having trouble with your technology, Costco is available to help you out. You can get assistance with a variety of electronics and appliances, including PCs, laptops, and televisions purchased in 2020 or later.

You can call Costco for technical advice at 1-866-861-0450 during the operating hours of Monday to Sunday 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT. You'll want your Costco membership ID and the item's model number ready when you call.

2. Discounts at other retailers

With so much to buy at Costco, odds are you've never taken a close look at the racks of gift cards available there. If you had, you might have noticed Costco can help you save money with other retailers, as well.

A few examples of the savings available right now include:

• A $500 Southwest Airlines card you can buy for $449.99
• $100 worth of Domino's Pizza gift cards for $79.99
• $100 worth of TGI Friday's gift cards for $79.99

Check out the discounted gift cards each time you visit the store or take a quick look at the website regularly to take advantage of this perk. If you're going to spend money with other retailers anyway, you may as well save money in the process.

3. Cheap prescription drugs

Research from Consumer Reports revealed Costco's prices on five common medications were the cheapest of any major retailer.

Although the amount saved varied, the medications were over $800 less than if you'd purchased them at CVS. Costco's Member Prescription Program also allows you to save as much as 80% on common meds, with many costing just $9.99 for a 90-day supply.

You can order prescriptions online and have them shipped to you for free, so it's worth taking advantage of this perk if the medications you take are cheaper at Costco. You can keep more money in your bank account with no extra hassle.

4. Worldwide membership

Another thing you may not realize about your Costco membership is that it's good worldwide, not just in the United States. Costco has locations in the following countries:

• Australia
• Canada
• China
• France
• Iceland
• Japan
• Korea
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• Spain
• Sweden
• Taiwan
• United Kingdom
• United States

If you travel abroad to these countries, you can use your membership to save on items when you get there.

5. Cheaper insurance

Costco has a partnership through which it offers discounted insurance coverage. The company indicates that Costco members who purchase coverage through CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, end up saving an average of $595.86 on their car insurance in just the first year alone.

You can request a quote online for auto and home insurance through Costco to see if switching your policy might free up more money in your monthly budget.

6. Discounted photo gifts

Finally, Costco has a partnership with Shutterfly that entitles you to receive discounted photo gifts. You'll get a 51% discount on all orders as well as free economy shipping when you purchase at least $49 worth of qualifying items.

Shutterfly offers more than just the chance to print pictures. You can get creative photo gifts at a steep discount to preserve your precious memories -- like coffee mugs, photo books, and more.

Each of these perks has big benefits, including spending less to keep credit card bills down or gaining access to services you might not otherwise have. Now that you're aware of them, you can take advantage of these perks and make your Costco membership even more worthwhile.

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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Christy Bieber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool recommends Southwest Airlines. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.