Since June 30, Costco’s Executive Members have been allowed into warehouses an hour earlier than everyone else on weekdays and 30 minutes earlier on Saturdays. Meanwhile, shoppers without the premium membership were turned away until the standard opening time. After a short grace period, the policy was fully enforced starting September 1.
An Executive Membership costs $130 a year, double the price of Costco’s basic Gold Star plan. The tier includes perks like annual rewards and a $10 monthly credit on qualifying online orders over $150.
Half of Costco’s U.S. members already pay for Executive status, and the group drives nearly three-quarters of the company’s sales. Many of them have praised the quieter early hours. One Reddit user described it as “such a relaxing shopping environment and not survival of the fittest.” Another said the shorter lines made it easier to handle returns before spending $200 elsewhere in the store.
But the perk has also rubbed some shoppers the wrong way. Critics argue it caters to big spenders and leaves standard members waiting outside. Some employees have also voiced concerns about managing the split entry times.
Costco says the change is meant to reward loyalty. “Our Executive Members are our most loyal members, and we want to reward them for their commitment to Costco,” a spokesperson told Business Insider.
Whether the $130 upgrade pays off depends on how often a customer shops and how much they spend. For some, the extra hour is worth it. For others, it’s another reminder that the warehouse club isn’t the same experience for everyone.