Early Birds Get the Best Deals!

Attention, Costco fans! If you’ve ever craved the first pick of the famous Kirkland rotisserie chicken or those unbeatable $1.50 hot dogs, then you might want to set your alarms a little earlier starting September 2!

Exclusive Access for Executive Members Only!

That’s right! Costco just rolled out a brand-new perk for its Executive Membership holders, allowing them to start shopping at 9 a.m. daily—an entire hour before regular members. With standard store hours starting at 10 a.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays, this means more time to scoop up those bulk bargains!

Why This Change Matters!

Announced by Costco CEO Ron Vachris earlier this June, these ‘Executive Member Shopping Hours’ are a strategic move to keep pace with Sam’s Club, rivaling their Plus Membership that provides similar early access. This new policy is not just about convenience; it’s designed to help executive members dodge those notoriously long checkout lines and clamber for prime parking spots!

Perks Galore for Executive Members!

Already enjoying advantages like 2% cash rewards on annual purchases—up to $1,250—Costco’s Executive members shell out $130 annually for these exclusive benefits. Plus, they’ll now receive a $10 monthly credit on orders over $150 through same-day services or Instacart!

Membership Tiers Explained!

If you’re currently a Gold Star or Business member, fear not! With an annual fee of $65, you also enjoy fantastic rewards, discounts, and access to Costco fuel—just not the same level of early shopping privileges. But what if the new early-bird hours tempt you to upgrade to executive status?

Costco on the Rise!

The warehouse giant is thriving, raking in an impressive $3.6 billion in membership revenue within just the first three quarters of 2025, and peaking at $4.8 billion last year. With plans to expand its global presence to 914 warehouses—including new locations in Sweden, South Korea, and Canada—Costco is not slowing down!

Is It Time to Upgrade?

With the promise of a more relaxed shopping experience and exclusive early access, Costco is betting that lower-tier members will consider upgrading to the executive level. But will that extra hour in the aisles be enough to sway your decision to double down on membership? Only time—and those first bites of the rotisserie chicken—will tell!