Image source: Getty Images

On Sept. 1, Costco raised its annual membership fees from $60 to $65 for a Gold Star membership and $120 to $130 for an Executive membership offering 2% cash back on purchases. In spite of that, there are plenty of good reasons to join Costco this October. Here are a few worth considering.

1. You can get access to some of the best seasonal baked goods in town

Costco’s bakery churns out a wide assortment of breads and pastries on a daily basis. And if you’re a fan of fall flavors, now’s a good time to get a membership.

For a limited time, Costco has its pumpkin streusel muffins back in stock. These only tend to be available for a couple of months, but if you love pumpkin, they’re absolutely worth trying. Plus, during this time of the year, Costco’s bakery tends to feature other cozy fall favorites like apple pie, pumpkin pie, and pumpkin cheesecake.

You should also know that Costco’s bakery prices are extremely affordable. While prices vary by store, a 12-pack of jumbo muffins might cost you as little as $9.99.

At a local bakery, you might pay $4 or $5 for a single muffin that’s not nearly as large as one from Costco. And if you already know you’re on tap to host Thanksgiving, the savings on desserts alone could justify your decision to join Costco this month.

Plus, if you use the right credit cards, you can pocket generous rewards on your Costco purchases. Check out our top list of credit cards that offer great rewards for Costco shoppers.

2. You can save big on gas — and get better performance out of your tank

Costco is known to have some of the least expensive gas in town. But it’s not just that you’re looking at paying less money per gallon. You might also get better performance out of a Costco fill-up than a fill-up elsewhere.

Costco’s gas is TOP TIER™ certified, which means it’s designed to keep your engine running smoothly. You may find that your car performs better on a whole if you keep filling it up at Costco.

3. You can load up for Halloween without breaking the bank

It’s nice to have plenty of Halloween candy on hand for trick-or-treaters. But if you’re on a budget, your generosity could catch up to you.

Costco’s got you covered for Halloween candy. Right now, you can snag a 90-ounce bag of mixed miniatures for $22.99, or a price of $0.26 per ounce at Costco.com. And you should know that Costco’s prices are typically higher online than in stores, which means this assortment might cost even less if you buy it in person.

Amazon has a comparable bulk candy assortment that costs $26.97 for a 45.18-ounce bag. So there, you’re paying about $0.60 per ounce, which is a huge difference.

And if you’re looking to be that person who hands out full-sized candy bars, Costco can save you money there, too. Right now through Oct. 6, Costco is offering $7.20 off of a 30-count of assorted bars and M&M packs, bringing your cost per item to just $0.83 based on the online price. At Amazon, a similar full-sized assortment will cost you more like $1.09 per bar.

You should know that Costco doesn’t just sell Halloween candy. You can also buy everything from decorations to costumes if you act quickly while these items are still in stock.

Even though it recently got more expensive to join Costco, the savings you enjoy could more than make up for your membership fee — especially if you’re also able to maximize your credit card rewards at Costco. So it pays to consider signing up this month and seeing how things go.

And remember, Costco stands behind its memberships. If you end up unhappy with yours, you can always cancel for a full refund, so there’s no risk in giving it a try.

Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)

We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America’s favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco.

Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it’s no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.

Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Maurie Backman has positions in Amazon. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.