7 Costco Secrets Employees Wish Michiganders Knew
A Costco membership isn’t cheap, so it helps to get your money’s worth.
Michiganders who shop there may be walking past perks that employees know all about.
Here’s what Costco workers wish more members knew.
1. Executive Early Hours
Costco lets you shop its U.S. warehouses before everybody else if you’re an Executive member.
The window opens at 9 a.m. on weekdays and closes at 10, according to ABC News, which reported on the perk in September 2025.
Saturday’s window is shorter, ending at 9:30 a.m.
U.S. warehouses would also stay open until 7 p.m. on Saturdays for all members.
If you’re a Gold Star member, you can’t use that early hour.
Many Costco employees wish more members knew the window exists.
2. Executive Reward Exclusions
Costco’s Executive upgrade costs an extra $65 a year on top of the $65 base fee.
In return, you earn a 2% reward on qualified purchases.
The word qualified matters here.
Costco’s rewards page says the reward doesn’t apply to gasoline, food court purchases, cigarettes, Costco Shop Cards, postage stamps or alcohol in certain states.
The 2% reward covers qualified purchases at Costco, on Costco.com and through Costco Travel.
Divide the $65 upgrade fee by 2%, and you land at $3,250 of qualified purchases a year before the upgrade pays off.
If gas and food court meals make up much of your Costco spending, you may never get there.
How Costco’s Executive Reward Pays Out
Costco caps the Executive reward at $1,250 for any 12-month period.
At 2%, you’d need $62,500 in qualified purchases to reach that cap.
Costco’s rewards page says purchases made before you upgrade aren’t eligible for the 2% reward.
You also must be a current, paid Executive member at the end of the membership year to receive the reward.
3. Return Policy Exceptions
TheStreet reported in March 2026 that Costco’s return policy sends diamonds of 1.00 carat or larger through an inspection for authenticity, so refunds aren’t issued right away.
Alcohol return policies vary by state, and the best way to find out whether you can return it is to check with your local Costco.
Electronics have a 90-day return window.
If you’re hauling back a television you bought months ago, check the date before you load the car.
4. Lifetime Tire Services
Costco’s tire site lists lifetime maintenance services with its tires, including tire balancing, tire rotations and flat repairs.
Inflation pressure checks are also listed, and some limits may apply.
All of Costco’s tires are backed with the Costco Road Hazard Warranty.
Jalopnik reported in January 2026 that the routine services are included for the life of the tire.
If you bought your tires at Costco, ask the tire center before you pay for a rotation anywhere else.
Psst! How well do you know Costco beyond the checkout line? Tap each card and see if you can tell which is which.
5. Auto Program Pricing
Costco’s Auto Program offers members low, prearranged pricing on new and certified pre-owned vehicles at participating dealerships, according to the program’s website.
Costco and its affiliates don’t sell cars or negotiate individual transactions.
Participating dealers pay a participation fee.
Before you walk into a dealership, pull up the price sheet for the model you want.
A member advocacy program also supports buyers at every stage of the buying process.
Actual savings may vary, and prearranged pricing is intended only for members who register with the program.
6. Membership Refunds
The Motley Fool reported in September 2024 that Costco will cancel your membership and refund the fee at any time if you’re dissatisfied.
There are three ways to ask, starting with in person at a warehouse, then by phone or through an online cancellation form.
Some members don’t realize they can ask.
If you’re an Executive member, Costco’s rewards page terms say any 2% reward issued or accrued is subtracted from the refund.
Costco can also revoke a membership, another Motley Fool report says.
Canceling for a refund right before the one-year mark can leave you subject to a waiting period before you rejoin.
It’s worth a phone call.
Psst! How much do you know about Costco’s numbers? Take our quiz and see if you can ace it.
Quiz
Costco Fact Check
Answer these questions on Costco’s published numbers. We bet you can’t get them all right. Prove us wrong?
As of Costco’s September 2026 results release, how many warehouses does it operate worldwide?
7. Hot Dog Combo Swap
Costco's $1.50 hot dog combo lists both soda and water as options in some warehouses, Axios reported in May 2026.
Signage hasn't been updated everywhere.
The $1.50 combo has kept its price for more than 40 years.
If you skip soda, look for the water option.
Costco Travel Rewards
Executive members earn the 2% reward on Costco Travel purchases too, Costco's travel site says.
The reward is earned and applied after the travel is completed, and you must be an Executive member when the travel starts.
Costco Travel also lists Executive Member Benefit additions on select packages, such as daily resort credits, complimentary breakfasts and waived resort fees.
The listings show the extras differ from one property to the next.
The reward excludes taxes, fees, surcharges, gratuities and trip protection, along with portions of travel purchased through a third party.
If you're planning a trip, check those exclusions before you book.
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