Costco Just Added New Membership Perks for 2026—But Are They Actually Worth It?

About two years ago (that’s 2024, for those of us who can no longer keep track of time in this freaky twilight zone we call modern life), Costco increased its annual membership fees by $5-$10. Executive Memberships went up from $120 to $130. Business Memberships increased from $60 to $65. Those rates have stayed the same since—and now, moving into 2026, Costco is supposedly adding perks intended to make that fee increase worth it. Let’s talk about them. I have thoughts, and I’d like to hear yours, too. 

Changes coming to ALL Costco members this year

Costco is making digital and tech-based changes to its shopping experience. “What the hell does that mean, Ariana? Can you be any more vague?” Basically, some stores are introducing “faster” checkout systems and adding more self-checkout stands. They’re making changes to the Costco app as well, including a “password-less sign-in” that will hopefully make it easier (especially for the more tech-challenged demographic of Costco buyers) to shop online and in stores. 

We reported on this last week, but Costco is also changing its food court policy to require members to scan their membership IDs to purchase food court beverages and food. That means freeloaders like myself can’t just coast in with their friend or family’s Costco membership and order a $1.50 hot dog on their own dime. Plenty of Costco stores already have this policy in place, so that might not seem like a change to many of you. But by doing this, Costco is aiming to free up space in the food courts and encourage more people to sign up for memberships. 

(Also, I polled people for their thoughts on this change at the bottom of my article. Most of you are really in favor of making Costco food courts only accessible to members! I definitely disagree and will happily fight each and every one of you in the parking lot. Meet me out back. And if you’re stopping at Costco first, can you bring me a soda? I’ll venmo you the 85 cents.) 

Perks coming to Executive Members only

Along with the other financial perks they already have (2% cash back on purchases, capped at $1,250), Executive Members are getting a $10 monthly credit to use on purchases over $150. Not bad, not bad. They also have the ability to cancel and refund their membership at any time, theoretically no strings attached. 

It’s also worth noting that last June, Costco changed their store hours to open an hour earlier for Executive Members. They can now start shopping at 9 a.m., seven days a week. For early birds, that change alone can feel priceless. 

What do you think about all of this, Ariana? I would simply love to hear your thoughts and opinions. 

No, you wouldn’t, so I’ll be brief: I think the price hike that happened two years ago was not, on the whole, that bad. But I think justifying it now by merely addressing a well-known problem with Costco—the fact that it’s busy as hell, with lines and crowds that can feel nightmarish—and calling it a membership “perk” makes me roll my eyes a little. That’s okay, though. I will always roll my eyes at companies that increase prices and pretend it has nothing to do with general inflation. And honestly, Executive Members are getting some good perks on the whole that might be worth that $130 price point. Man, that wasn’t as brief as I thought it would be. More importantly: What do YOU think about the changes coming to Costco? Tell me in the comments? Please?