7 Tricks for Finding Hot Holiday Deals at Costco This Year
Image source: Getty Images You probably won't find Santa sitting in the food court, but Costco is still a great place to visit during the holiday shopping season.Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!) We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America's favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco. Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it's no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card. Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!Not only can you find all of those party necessities for feasting and hosting, but you can get excellent gifts for everyone on your list.With so much going on, the typical Costco chaos is going to be on overdrive, so keep your wits about you while you shop. Here are a few tricks to keep in mind when searching for Costco deals this season.1. Shop in personCostco's online experience is getting better, but it's no substitute for hitting the club in person. For one thing, you won't pay the surcharges and shipping fees that Costco.com and Instacart charge.Beyond that, some products and sales are only available in the store. This includes seasonal clearance items that could be fantastic deals.For my rewards card-using friends, remember you can only pay with Visa credit cards in store. Click here to see our top Costco rewards credit cards so you can maximize your savings.2. Visit multiple timesIf you really want the best deals, you not only need to shop in person -- you need to visit multiple times throughout the holiday season.Costco changes prices and inventory every week, sometimes daily, and limited-stock or seasonal items may come and go before you even get the chance to see them.As long as your local Costco is conveniently located, it could very well be worthwhile to stop in to see what's new (and maybe get a slice or pizza or giant cookie, you know, for your trouble).3. Check the sales flyersThis is some general advice that applies to most stores, but it can be especially useful in a cavernous expanse such as Costco. The sheer scope of the store means it's almost impossible to spot every sale and discount if you're just going aisle by aisle.Costco will happily mail you sales flyers if you sign up (and sometimes even if you don't), but you can also check Costco.com to see the latest flyers, too.The best way, however, may be to download the Costco mobile app. There, you can not only see the sales flyers, but also make shopping lists to make sure you don't forget any deals.4. Visit the gift card kioskSome people may say gift cards are impersonal, but I disagree. Sometimes they're exactly the right gift. (This is especially true for teenagers, second only to cash.)Costco is one of my favorite places to buy gift cards, whether I'm gifting them or not. You can find gift cards from all kinds of popular restaurants and retailers, and they're all sold at a discount.Discounts vary, but they average about 20% off the face value. Head into the store to get physical cards for gifting.5. Buy holiday hosting supplies in bulkMost of the time I actively advise against buying Costco-sized perishables, but the holiday hosting season is probably the best time. With many mouths to feed, you'll likely use it all up before it goes bad, and you'll probably save money over the grocery store.(If you're going to have the in-laws, the outlaws, and the weird cousins over to visit all at once, it's probably a good idea to stuff them so full of Costco cheese they can't argue.)Pro tip: Have a long gift list to cover? Make the most of a big holiday shopping bill by opening a new sign-up bonus credit card.6. Compare prices with other retailersCostco is good at competitive pricing, but even the wholesale giant isn't the best deal every time. In my experience, this is especially true when you're looking at brand-name electronics and small appliances around the holidaysEveryone has sales right now. Those sales seem to be changing every few days, and discounts can vary wildly between retailers.You should be checking with multiple retailers -- Walmart, Target, Best Buy, the mom-and-pop shop down the road, everyone -- to find the best deal for any major gifts on your list. This could be a huge savings difference for big-ticket items.7. Remember Costco's return policyYou'll be hard-pressed to find a return policy as generous as Costco, which takes returns at pretty much any time for a large chunk of its inventory. This can be very handy during the holidays since Costco doesn't price match, so you'll need to make a return if you find a better deal later.That said, not everything in the store has the same near-limitless return window. There are a few key exceptions, including major electronics, like TVs and tablets, as well as stuff like
Image source: Getty Images
You probably won't find Santa sitting in the food court, but Costco is still a great place to visit during the holiday shopping season.
Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)
We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America's favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco.
Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it's no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.
Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!
Not only can you find all of those party necessities for feasting and hosting, but you can get excellent gifts for everyone on your list.
With so much going on, the typical Costco chaos is going to be on overdrive, so keep your wits about you while you shop. Here are a few tricks to keep in mind when searching for Costco deals this season.
1. Shop in person
Costco's online experience is getting better, but it's no substitute for hitting the club in person. For one thing, you won't pay the surcharges and shipping fees that Costco.com and Instacart charge.
Beyond that, some products and sales are only available in the store. This includes seasonal clearance items that could be fantastic deals.
For my rewards card-using friends, remember you can only pay with Visa credit cards in store. Click here to see our top Costco rewards credit cards so you can maximize your savings.
2. Visit multiple times
If you really want the best deals, you not only need to shop in person -- you need to visit multiple times throughout the holiday season.
Costco changes prices and inventory every week, sometimes daily, and limited-stock or seasonal items may come and go before you even get the chance to see them.
As long as your local Costco is conveniently located, it could very well be worthwhile to stop in to see what's new (and maybe get a slice or pizza or giant cookie, you know, for your trouble).
3. Check the sales flyers
This is some general advice that applies to most stores, but it can be especially useful in a cavernous expanse such as Costco. The sheer scope of the store means it's almost impossible to spot every sale and discount if you're just going aisle by aisle.
Costco will happily mail you sales flyers if you sign up (and sometimes even if you don't), but you can also check Costco.com to see the latest flyers, too.
The best way, however, may be to download the Costco mobile app. There, you can not only see the sales flyers, but also make shopping lists to make sure you don't forget any deals.
4. Visit the gift card kiosk
Some people may say gift cards are impersonal, but I disagree. Sometimes they're exactly the right gift. (This is especially true for teenagers, second only to cash.)
Costco is one of my favorite places to buy gift cards, whether I'm gifting them or not. You can find gift cards from all kinds of popular restaurants and retailers, and they're all sold at a discount.
Discounts vary, but they average about 20% off the face value. Head into the store to get physical cards for gifting.
5. Buy holiday hosting supplies in bulk
Most of the time I actively advise against buying Costco-sized perishables, but the holiday hosting season is probably the best time. With many mouths to feed, you'll likely use it all up before it goes bad, and you'll probably save money over the grocery store.
(If you're going to have the in-laws, the outlaws, and the weird cousins over to visit all at once, it's probably a good idea to stuff them so full of Costco cheese they can't argue.)
Pro tip: Have a long gift list to cover? Make the most of a big holiday shopping bill by opening a new sign-up bonus credit card.
6. Compare prices with other retailers
Costco is good at competitive pricing, but even the wholesale giant isn't the best deal every time. In my experience, this is especially true when you're looking at brand-name electronics and small appliances around the holidays
Everyone has sales right now. Those sales seem to be changing every few days, and discounts can vary wildly between retailers.
You should be checking with multiple retailers -- Walmart, Target, Best Buy, the mom-and-pop shop down the road, everyone -- to find the best deal for any major gifts on your list. This could be a huge savings difference for big-ticket items.
7. Remember Costco's return policy
You'll be hard-pressed to find a return policy as generous as Costco, which takes returns at pretty much any time for a large chunk of its inventory. This can be very handy during the holidays since Costco doesn't price match, so you'll need to make a return if you find a better deal later.
That said, not everything in the store has the same near-limitless return window. There are a few key exceptions, including major electronics, like TVs and tablets, as well as stuff like drones, smart watches, and cellphones, which can only be returned within 90 days.
Some items, including alcohol and live performance tickets, may not be returnable at all, so keep that in mind when you make your purchase.
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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. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Brittney Myers has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
