Costco has issued a statement about membership fees in Australia following this week’s price hikes in US and Canadian stores.
The discount wholesale retailer announced on July 10 that membership fees in the US and Canada will increase by US $5 ($7.36), taking the total cost to US $65 ($95.99) for Gold Star individual members, Business and Business add-on members.
Executive Memberships in the US and Canada will also increase by US $10 ($14.77) to US $130 ($192.03).
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These overseas fee increases will impact 52 million Costco customers, but customers in Australia can breathe a sigh of relief.
9honey contacted Costco Australia to ask about possible fee increases here and were assured there would be no corresponding membership fee increases down under.
Costco Australia’s Country Manager, Chris Tingman, confirmed membership fees in Australia will remain the same, citing recent fee increases in June 2023.
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“In order to continue providing exceptional products and services to our members, we introduced a modest increase to our membership fees in June 2023,” Tingman said via a statement.
“Our Gold Star membership fee increased from $60 to $65, and our Business Membership fee increased from $55 to $65.
“We also introduced a new level of membership to offer even more value, Executive Membership, which is $130.”
Tingman ended the statement by confirming: “Costco Australia has no plans to introduce further increases to our membership fees.”
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Costco membership operate under strict rules, with only the card holder able to pay for purchases in stores.
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Members are allowed to invite two guests over the age of 18 to visit the store but they are unable to make their own purchases without memberships.
All primary members can nominate either their spouse, domestic partner or immediate family member living at the same residential address for a free household card.
Memberships can be renewed online or in stores or customers can set up auto renewal via their online accounts.
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