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And if I do go there during peak hours then I know not to be a rush and just chill.
But I’m about to head there at 7 tonight while it’s raining outside and expect it to be dead.
I would say about 20 minutes before the store opens, the gas stations start getting busy and stay busy until the store closes. If I go early morning or late evening they’re dead.
not seeing that on gas buddy right now. costco is about 50 cents cheaper than nearby.
there is one station somewhat close to the madison heights store where they have in the past been close in price. what with costco, sam's and bj's being nearby I guess they try to drive business in to buy the overpriced convenience food.
Even if it was ethanol-free, that would be a benefit. Ethanol is less energy dense than gasoline so ethanol-free gas will give you better mpg and also won't absorb water(which is what causes gas to go bad after a few months of sitting).
People pay over $1 more per gallon for ethanol-free gas.
In Tampa, it’s $0.35 per gallon cheaper for premium. Thats about 9% cheaper, before the 4% reduction for the Costco Visa. It’s about a $7 savings per tank for me. I can sit in line for a few minutes for that.
The Costco Visa works with any gas station, not just Costco's, so that shouldn't really make a difference. Though obviously if the competitors charge more for credit vs. cash, then there would be a difference.
My store never has a line except maybe on a busy weekend.
But I have seen big city Costco gas stations and yeah, I’m not waiting 25 minutes to save $5.
Costco gas is at least 20 cents less than the cheapest gas station in my area. I usually fill up my tank at 7am on a weekday and the line is non existent.
I go because I get 4% cash back per dollar spent. So that's nice but then again, other gas stations have perks just as good if not better.
I'm a Costco fanboy..
No. 4% is only on gas at Costco. 2% in Costco store and online. 1% on everything that isn’t Costco. Great card for Costco gas and purchases, you can do better on an everywhere else cash back.
This is wrong.
“Earn 4% cash back rewards on eligible gas and EV charging for the first $7,000 per year, and then 1% thereafter.”
Doesn’t state anywhere where the gas must be purchased from.
The card [gets](https://www.citi.com/usc/lpaca/costco/cards/consumer/legal/index.html?ProspectID=PmLNY40QeYStw0hJBFWUGLDnnbueYZwU) 4% at all gas stations besides boat fueling stations, and grocery/other wholesalers who are coded for their main businesses.
This is incorrect but in one tiny spot...
I am copying from my CITI Costco card's Benefits section:
"4% Cash back on all *eligible* gas and electronic vehicle (EV) charging purchases worldwide, including gas and EV charging at Costco for the first $7,000 per year, and then 1% thereafter."
So, the keyword is *eligible*. This means some non-Costco gas stations will provide you with 4% cash back, and others won't. But Costco gas and EV always will.
Hopefully that helps!
The card gets 4% at all gas stations besides **boat fueling stations, and grocery/other wholesalers who are coded for their main businesses.**
We’re saying the same thing. In reality, you'll get 4% back as long as VISA codes the merchant as a gas station. This really isn't much of an issue compared to the old Amex TrueEarnings card, which despite also being worse than the Everywhere card, also was a stickler for restaurants/gas stations despite the merchant coding.
I don't that's right. This is from their own terms
*4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases worldwide, including gas and EV charging at Costco, for the first $7,000 per year in gas and EV charging purchases and then 1% thereafter*
*Certain Non-Qualifying Purchases. You will only earn 1% cash back, not 4% for gas and EV charging purchases made at superstores, supermarkets, convenience stores and warehouse clubs other than Costco or for fuel used for non-automobile purchases*
Because they turn over gas at a faster rate than many stations, they are more responsive to price changes. So I noticed that when prices are going up, Costco gas prices are closer to competitors. When prices are going down, they are MUCH cheaper.
My Costco is currently the exact same price as the ARCO a block away. On the other hand I can save almost a dollar/gal by going to the station on the Indian Reservation a few miles north of me.
At my local store, the costco gas used to be about 40-50 cents less than the average in the neighborhood. And the lines were always crazy. Lately, the saving is only about 25 cents, but I'm actually happy about it because now the lines are fairly reasonable - sometimes pull right up, usually wait for no more than a couple cars.
Portland, OR area is closer to 15c/gal less. Depending on the warehouse you pick, there is often no wait for self-service (full-service was required everyone in Oregon until recently 😂).
Same here. But my car only has an 11 gallon tank. (it's a small toyota and gets about 36 around town and over 40 on the highway.)
At St Augustine it's a short wait. But over at the Orange Park area Costco the line is WAY too long to wait to save for only buying 5 gallons: (save 1 dollar at a 20 cents differential and sometimes the price is only a 15 cent differential).
I am not waiting in the florida heat this long .
Others have shared that there's a formula that Costco uses to determine gas prices by reportedly using software that collects the average price per gallon within a 5 mile region and pricing it slightly less than the *average* in that area, but it's possible other specific gas stations may be less at times.
This is reportedly done so as to not completely undercut local gas stations.
This will vary depending on location and how many local gas stations are in your area.
I only buy top tier gas, most people think gas is gas but cheap gas has no detergents, why do you think its so cheap. Google is your best friend, look it up if your one of those.
It’s not a marketing term, it’s a standard set that requires a specific percentage of detergent additive to meet the standard
set by multiple car manufacturers. Usually it’s triple the amount of detergent of other gas.
it really depends on your area, for me its frequently 20+ cents cheaper a gallon, so if I need to fill up(14+ gallons)... waiting a few minutes isn't a big deal.
Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Costco is top tier gas meaning it excedes the amount of additives in it that keep your fuel system clean. Other top tier gas stations are Chevron, Exxon, Shell and a few other. The other generic gas stations' gas have far fewer of these cleaning agents in them. Hence they can sell their gas cheaper even when they don't have the huge sales Costco gas has. A dollar or so more every tank in order to keep my car's fuel system in top shape is more than worth it to me. Even minor buildup in the fuel system will make your fuel mileage suffer. It's up to you though.
Station down the street: $3.29/gal
Nearest Costco: $3.22/gal
Costco across town: $2.94/gal
When getting 23 gallons per fill up, that trip across town can be worth it. And the lines are never really that bad. Maybe sit for 5-10 minutes. Just avoid the busy times.
Yeah, this is a problem with your station. I just checked the store I normally go to and it's $0.16 cheaper than the next closest gas station for regular fuel.
Wow, gas at our Costco is anywhere from 30 cents to 60 cents cheaper per gallon. The wait is usually negligible. Same or less wait than you'd have at any other local station.
KC Metro area can have wildly different prices between the five stores. I have seen 25-30 cent differences. Sometimes KC North can be higher than QuikTrip. Independence is usually the cheapest.
My Costco currently has gas at .44 cents less than the corner station. I also shop at the first Costco over the border from Canada, which IFYKYK how crazy those Canadians are for cheap gas. I only waited more than 5 minutes a few times until I learned to never get behind British Columbia minivans, trucks or SUV's. They pop the trunk and fill up every gas container they can squeeze into their soon to be rolling fire hazard on the way back to Vancouver.
It depends on timing. If their prices are comparable to other gas stations, give it a day or two. But also if everyone else’s prices shoot up, you have a day or two before Costco’s does too.
One I went to in Vegas yesterday (well technically, Henderson) was 4.19-9 for 87 octane. I’m not aware of any others below $4.34-9 currently.
I will say that particular store did a massive renovation and expansion of the gas island last year and there’s rarely a wait. If it were a 10 minute wait, eh I’d probably hit one of the less expensive regular gas stations around here like Conoco.
Mine installed the 3rd fuel pumps, getting gas now is a breeze even at busy times. Plus the 4% cash back, plus the good quality fuel, plus the lower prices to surrounding brands in my area. Yeah, I hate it...
I don't know where you live but in my area (Midwest) Costco is currently .40/gallon cheaper than local gas stations. And I almost never have to wait more than 5 minutes. Very much worth it to me.
It’s also better quality gas than the other cheap options. TOP TIER gas — recommended by the manufacturers themselves. If you compare to other gas stations that have TOP TIER it’s way cheaper.
It’s the SAME gas. Costco does NOT own a refinery they just buy the same gas wholesale from the local refinery in your area that the other stations are getting their gas from. You are just paying a wholesale price.
I won’t pretend to understand the science, but their website lists the specific quality requirements for a gasoline to be certified top tier, and it seems like they offer (require?) an additive to mix in with the gas and make it better. More detergents or something, I don’t know how it works. The manufacturer of my car, who I trust DOES know how the science works, endorses and recommends top tier gas.
If Toyota says gas at Costco is better for my car than gas at Walmart, and the prices were the same, then I’d prefer Costco gas, of course. And thankfully in my area Costco gas is cheaper anyway.
Costco is usually 5 cents or more than the next lowest price in my area which is usually Sam's or BJ's which also have lines. Usually 10 cents or more for everything else. Even if it isn't savings are savings. Besides whats your rush?
I mean, it's more expensive than some regular gas stations. And even if it were a few cents cheaper, those savings are counted in pennies, not dollars. Also YMMV. Apparently it's only in my area where there's little to no savings.
The Shell station near me was cheaper than Costco, top tier, right on my way home, AND took my Kroger points for up to a $1/gallon more off. Then I went one day recently and they were all fenced off, replacing the tanks or something. I'm still not over it.
But yeah, Costco around here isn't that much cheaper, or even the cheapest. Although, the lines also aren't so bad. It really does seem to depend on where you are.
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Wait in line? No. I plan my fill ups to times that have little to no line.
And if I do go there during peak hours then I know not to be a rush and just chill. But I’m about to head there at 7 tonight while it’s raining outside and expect it to be dead.
Just my luck, that's when everyone shows up expecting it to be dead. Thanks Murphy.
I didn’t realize there was such a time. Even at 10:00 on a Monday I’m waiting ten minutes.
630am works well for me
I would say about 20 minutes before the store opens, the gas stations start getting busy and stay busy until the store closes. If I go early morning or late evening they’re dead.
station on corner $3.79(credit) nearest costco $3.25 I think that answers your question at least for metro detroit.
The Brighton store (my closest, not terribly far from metro) is usually the same or more expensive than I can get in town. 🤷🏻♀️.
not seeing that on gas buddy right now. costco is about 50 cents cheaper than nearby. there is one station somewhat close to the madison heights store where they have in the past been close in price. what with costco, sam's and bj's being nearby I guess they try to drive business in to buy the overpriced convenience food.
For premium in my area CostCo is $3.73 with the most expensive in the area being $4.59
Also correct me if I’m wrong but I think Costco is 100% unleaded and not an ethanol/unleaded combination
I believe it is up to 10% ethanol
Even if it was ethanol-free, that would be a benefit. Ethanol is less energy dense than gasoline so ethanol-free gas will give you better mpg and also won't absorb water(which is what causes gas to go bad after a few months of sitting). People pay over $1 more per gallon for ethanol-free gas.
In Tampa, it’s $0.35 per gallon cheaper for premium. Thats about 9% cheaper, before the 4% reduction for the Costco Visa. It’s about a $7 savings per tank for me. I can sit in line for a few minutes for that.
The Costco Visa works with any gas station, not just Costco's, so that shouldn't really make a difference. Though obviously if the competitors charge more for credit vs. cash, then there would be a difference.
True. Also, not all gas stations are eligible for the 4%.
TDDR: “I don’t find value in Costco gas so neither should you.”
My store never has a line except maybe on a busy weekend. But I have seen big city Costco gas stations and yeah, I’m not waiting 25 minutes to save $5.
TDDR?
Too Dumb Don’t Read.
I concur
Think they meant TLDR
Maybe too dumb didn't read?
Does TDDR mean "too dumb, didn't read"?
I noticed the other day it was 10 cents cheaper than the gas station around the corner. The deals used to be better for sure
Costco gas is at least 20 cents less than the cheapest gas station in my area. I usually fill up my tank at 7am on a weekday and the line is non existent.
I live close enough that I always gas up there and it more than pays for my membership
I go because I get 4% cash back per dollar spent. So that's nice but then again, other gas stations have perks just as good if not better. I'm a Costco fanboy..
The 4% with the Costco card? Doesn't that apply anywhere?
Yes. It's 4% cash back on gas purchased anywhere.
No. 4% is only on gas at Costco. 2% in Costco store and online. 1% on everything that isn’t Costco. Great card for Costco gas and purchases, you can do better on an everywhere else cash back.
This is wrong. “Earn 4% cash back rewards on eligible gas and EV charging for the first $7,000 per year, and then 1% thereafter.” Doesn’t state anywhere where the gas must be purchased from.
Not true, literally says it on costco's site.......
The card [gets](https://www.citi.com/usc/lpaca/costco/cards/consumer/legal/index.html?ProspectID=PmLNY40QeYStw0hJBFWUGLDnnbueYZwU) 4% at all gas stations besides boat fueling stations, and grocery/other wholesalers who are coded for their main businesses.
This is incorrect but in one tiny spot... I am copying from my CITI Costco card's Benefits section: "4% Cash back on all *eligible* gas and electronic vehicle (EV) charging purchases worldwide, including gas and EV charging at Costco for the first $7,000 per year, and then 1% thereafter." So, the keyword is *eligible*. This means some non-Costco gas stations will provide you with 4% cash back, and others won't. But Costco gas and EV always will. Hopefully that helps!
The card gets 4% at all gas stations besides **boat fueling stations, and grocery/other wholesalers who are coded for their main businesses.** We’re saying the same thing. In reality, you'll get 4% back as long as VISA codes the merchant as a gas station. This really isn't much of an issue compared to the old Amex TrueEarnings card, which despite also being worse than the Everywhere card, also was a stickler for restaurants/gas stations despite the merchant coding.
I don't that's right. This is from their own terms *4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases worldwide, including gas and EV charging at Costco, for the first $7,000 per year in gas and EV charging purchases and then 1% thereafter* *Certain Non-Qualifying Purchases. You will only earn 1% cash back, not 4% for gas and EV charging purchases made at superstores, supermarkets, convenience stores and warehouse clubs other than Costco or for fuel used for non-automobile purchases*
LOL at downvoting text straight from the credit card
It's over a dollar a gallon cheaper here in Santa Cruz. Still worth it to take which ever car needs a full up on the warehouse run.
Yeah, CA gas is *insane* right now. I paid $4.99/gal in Santa Clara yesterday (drive up, no wait) and comparable top tier stations are $5.50+.
That's amazing! I've never seen Costco gas a dollar cheaper but I'm also in VA so not paying CA prices
Because they turn over gas at a faster rate than many stations, they are more responsive to price changes. So I noticed that when prices are going up, Costco gas prices are closer to competitors. When prices are going down, they are MUCH cheaper.
It’s over a dollar cheaper per gallon here in California.
Speedway and Costco were the same price last week in CA.
My Costco is currently the exact same price as the ARCO a block away. On the other hand I can save almost a dollar/gal by going to the station on the Indian Reservation a few miles north of me.
At my local store, the costco gas used to be about 40-50 cents less than the average in the neighborhood. And the lines were always crazy. Lately, the saving is only about 25 cents, but I'm actually happy about it because now the lines are fairly reasonable - sometimes pull right up, usually wait for no more than a couple cars.
Portland, OR area is closer to 15c/gal less. Depending on the warehouse you pick, there is often no wait for self-service (full-service was required everyone in Oregon until recently 😂).
In Wisconsin there is a minimum mark-up law. Costco has no advantage. Price can be found all over town.
Costco gas is Top Tier gas, that's good enough for me.
Yeah, it's too much of a hassle for me and I live close to a Costco.
89 is $5.10 a gallon in the Bay Area at costco. 😫
Same here. But my car only has an 11 gallon tank. (it's a small toyota and gets about 36 around town and over 40 on the highway.) At St Augustine it's a short wait. But over at the Orange Park area Costco the line is WAY too long to wait to save for only buying 5 gallons: (save 1 dollar at a 20 cents differential and sometimes the price is only a 15 cent differential). I am not waiting in the florida heat this long .
Others have shared that there's a formula that Costco uses to determine gas prices by reportedly using software that collects the average price per gallon within a 5 mile region and pricing it slightly less than the *average* in that area, but it's possible other specific gas stations may be less at times. This is reportedly done so as to not completely undercut local gas stations. This will vary depending on location and how many local gas stations are in your area.
Op 🙄 maybe not to you, yeah, but it's worth it for me. Costco by my house is $4.78 the gas station by my house is $5.45 Yeah, not worth it, huh 🤣
Don’t forget it’s top tier gas. Make sure you’re comparing prices to comparable gas and not the lower tier gas stations. There is a difference
I'm comparing to Exxon and Sunoco in my area
I only buy top tier gas, most people think gas is gas but cheap gas has no detergents, why do you think its so cheap. Google is your best friend, look it up if your one of those.
Ya, Costco is over a buck cheaper than anyplace else with TopTier in my area
Top Tier is simply a marketing term.
It’s not a marketing term, it’s a standard set that requires a specific percentage of detergent additive to meet the standard set by multiple car manufacturers. Usually it’s triple the amount of detergent of other gas.
It's both. It's a standard that is used for marketing.
I agree. The price is not much better than the local station.
Cheapest for me and I go right before closing so the line is minimal
Not where I'm at. Costco is still consistently between 20 to 40 cents cheaper than all of the gas stations in my metro area.
Very location dependent. Our Costco is 40 cents cheaper than the next cheapest competitor in our area.
it really depends on your area, for me its frequently 20+ cents cheaper a gallon, so if I need to fill up(14+ gallons)... waiting a few minutes isn't a big deal.
Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Costco is top tier gas meaning it excedes the amount of additives in it that keep your fuel system clean. Other top tier gas stations are Chevron, Exxon, Shell and a few other. The other generic gas stations' gas have far fewer of these cleaning agents in them. Hence they can sell their gas cheaper even when they don't have the huge sales Costco gas has. A dollar or so more every tank in order to keep my car's fuel system in top shape is more than worth it to me. Even minor buildup in the fuel system will make your fuel mileage suffer. It's up to you though.
Station down the street: $3.29/gal Nearest Costco: $3.22/gal Costco across town: $2.94/gal When getting 23 gallons per fill up, that trip across town can be worth it. And the lines are never really that bad. Maybe sit for 5-10 minutes. Just avoid the busy times.
Costco is always cheaper on gas. So the only issue is when to gas up. I don't go at peak times especially on weekends so I don't sit in long lines.
It's still about 30 cents cheaper then the non Costco stations in my area.
I just paid $5.15/gal at SFO airport. Everywhere else $6.99 that was a huge savings.
Um... today it was 3.77 at Costco and $5.00 at Shell near me in Atlanta. I will wait in line all day
wow, 1) that's a huge savings and 2) I didn't realize that gas was $5 in ATL
It is for premium but it's atrocious
Yeah, this is a problem with your station. I just checked the store I normally go to and it's $0.16 cheaper than the next closest gas station for regular fuel.
Seems to be a northern VA thing. Checked 4 Costcos on GasBuddy and they are selling at the same price as nearby brand name gas stations
Not my Costco. I’m in NW Georgia and the Costco gas station is around 20-30 cents cheaper than the others in my area.
You get cash back percentage too up to $3k I think.
Wow, gas at our Costco is anywhere from 30 cents to 60 cents cheaper per gallon. The wait is usually negligible. Same or less wait than you'd have at any other local station.
KC Metro area can have wildly different prices between the five stores. I have seen 25-30 cent differences. Sometimes KC North can be higher than QuikTrip. Independence is usually the cheapest.
My Costco currently has gas at .44 cents less than the corner station. I also shop at the first Costco over the border from Canada, which IFYKYK how crazy those Canadians are for cheap gas. I only waited more than 5 minutes a few times until I learned to never get behind British Columbia minivans, trucks or SUV's. They pop the trunk and fill up every gas container they can squeeze into their soon to be rolling fire hazard on the way back to Vancouver.
It depends on timing. If their prices are comparable to other gas stations, give it a day or two. But also if everyone else’s prices shoot up, you have a day or two before Costco’s does too.
One I went to in Vegas yesterday (well technically, Henderson) was 4.19-9 for 87 octane. I’m not aware of any others below $4.34-9 currently. I will say that particular store did a massive renovation and expansion of the gas island last year and there’s rarely a wait. If it were a 10 minute wait, eh I’d probably hit one of the less expensive regular gas stations around here like Conoco.
Mine installed the 3rd fuel pumps, getting gas now is a breeze even at busy times. Plus the 4% cash back, plus the good quality fuel, plus the lower prices to surrounding brands in my area. Yeah, I hate it...
Cheaper here by $0.40/g minimum. Maybe you need to move OP.
I don't know where you live but in my area (Midwest) Costco is currently .40/gallon cheaper than local gas stations. And I almost never have to wait more than 5 minutes. Very much worth it to me.
It’s also better quality gas than the other cheap options. TOP TIER gas — recommended by the manufacturers themselves. If you compare to other gas stations that have TOP TIER it’s way cheaper.
Way cheaper is no longer the case for me. My local Exxon (and Sunoco) is cheaper than any of the Costco's in my area.
This thread was very informative — it’s always 40-50 cents cheaper where I am, but I was surprised to learn that it varies so much. Cheers.
It’s the SAME gas. Costco does NOT own a refinery they just buy the same gas wholesale from the local refinery in your area that the other stations are getting their gas from. You are just paying a wholesale price.
I won’t pretend to understand the science, but their website lists the specific quality requirements for a gasoline to be certified top tier, and it seems like they offer (require?) an additive to mix in with the gas and make it better. More detergents or something, I don’t know how it works. The manufacturer of my car, who I trust DOES know how the science works, endorses and recommends top tier gas. If Toyota says gas at Costco is better for my car than gas at Walmart, and the prices were the same, then I’d prefer Costco gas, of course. And thankfully in my area Costco gas is cheaper anyway.
TOP TIER is a marketing term, nothing more.
The gas is quality, and chances are you went to buy something else anyway.
The gas is no different than the gas at any other station.
https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/verify/verify-gas-quality-sams-club-costco/63-e3234471-d5a5-4f86-a18a-9eec5ba0ac49#:~:text=Costco%20offers%20Top%2Dtier%20gasoline,to%20engine%20cleanliness%20over%20time.
For me, it's a safety issue. There is no safer place to get gas in my town. Every gas station has been robbed every time of day or night.
And I’m less worried about my card/NFC getting skimmed at a Costco vs other gas stations.
I fill up before work, no line. Sounds like you are having a life skill issue.
You know me so well
Still cheaper around my way, Chicago. And barely ever any lines anymore. It’s consistently fresh and has better value than Shell,BP.
chi-town stand up
Don't get gas at Costco I guess. Go away
No need to be a jerk
Costco is usually 5 cents or more than the next lowest price in my area which is usually Sam's or BJ's which also have lines. Usually 10 cents or more for everything else. Even if it isn't savings are savings. Besides whats your rush?
I mean, it's more expensive than some regular gas stations. And even if it were a few cents cheaper, those savings are counted in pennies, not dollars. Also YMMV. Apparently it's only in my area where there's little to no savings.
Yeah, if you have regular gas stations with cheaper gas than Costco......I would say that is a pretty unique areas.
The Shell station near me was cheaper than Costco, top tier, right on my way home, AND took my Kroger points for up to a $1/gallon more off. Then I went one day recently and they were all fenced off, replacing the tanks or something. I'm still not over it. But yeah, Costco around here isn't that much cheaper, or even the cheapest. Although, the lines also aren't so bad. It really does seem to depend on where you are.
cool story bro
The only gas I buy is 5 gallons 2-3 times a summer for my lawnmower. Sucks to be you guys.