BARGAIN BUYS: I got over $340 worth of groceries for free from Costco – my entire cart was packed, but I could have got even more

According to The Sun, A Costco member recently enjoyed an entire grocery trip without spending a dime, thanks to a unique perk associated with their membership. The shopper filled their cart with around $340 worth of merchandise and left the store without any out-of-pocket expenses.

A Remarkable Shopping Experience

According to a post shared in a Reddit thread last month, the member described their experience as their “crowning Costco achievement,” alongside a snapshot of their receipt. The receipt detailed a total of $341.72, which included $6.33 in tax. Remarkably, an “Executive Rebate” credit of $375.14 was applied to their account, resulting in not only a fully covered grocery bill but also $33.42 in change.

How Did This Happen?

This impressive feat wasn’t the result of luck or a sweepstakes; rather, it was made possible through a benefit available exclusively to Costco shoppers with an Executive Membership.

Understanding Costco Membership Options

All Costco customers must hold a valid membership to shop at the warehouse, though some exceptions apply to specific products due to state laws. Membership options include:

• Gold Star Membership: Priced at $65 per year, this option allows customers to shop online and in-store with two cards per household.
• Executive Membership: Available for $130 per year, this membership level offers added benefits such as discounts on Costco services and an annual 2% reward.

The Perk Behind the Free Trip

The shopper’s free groceries were made possible by the annual 2% reward associated with the Executive Membership. This cashback is redeemable toward purchases of merchandise at Costco’s front-end registers (excluding self-checkout), as stated on Costco’s website.

Spending to Save

Essentially, Executive Members receive 2% of their annual spending back in rewards. In this case, the member received $375.14 as a rebate. However, it’s worth noting that this didn’t come without prior spending; the shopper had to spend approximately $18,757 on groceries throughout the year to qualify for such a substantial reward.

They shared in the Reddit thread that they had made significant purchases, including a “new bedroom set and dining room set,” which contributed to their elevated spending for the year.

Context on Grocery Spending

For perspective, the average American spent about $6,053 on food at home in 2023, according to a study conducted by The Motley Fool. While the 2% annual reward remains an attractive perk for shoppers, obtaining rewards of $375 or more may require substantial spending on larger ticket items throughout the year.