Image source: Getty Images

The $130 a year I spend on my Costco Executive membership is one of my best purchases. Not only does that fee give me access to 2% cash back on Costco purchases, but shopping at Costco allows me to save money on the items I buy every week, like groceries and essentials like tissue boxes and soap.

If you’re not sure you’re getting the best value out of your Costco membership, though, then it may be because you’re not taking advantage of all of the benefits it comes with.

Here are a few signs you could be getting more bang for your buck.

1. You’re not filling up your car with affordable, high-quality gas

At my local Costco, the lines at the gas station tend to be longer than at a typical fuel station in town. But there’s a reason I’m willing to wait longer for Costco gas.

Not only is it usually my cheapest option, but it’s likely to help me get more mileage out of my tank. And when you drive a gas-gulping minivan like I do, that’s an important source of savings.

Costco’s gas is TOP TIER™ certified. And I can admit that for the longest time, I didn’t know what that meant.

Then I did my research. And I now know that this type of gas is designed to clean your engine and lead to better performance. So I’m willing to sit in my car for a few extra minutes to get it.

If you’ve shied away from filling up your car at Costco due to the lines, you may want to push yourself to exercise some patience. Have your favorite playlist ready to go while you wait. If you have a larger gas tank like I do, it’s worth it.

2. You’re not snagging a discount on gift cards

I’m admittedly not always the most creative gift-giver. And because I don’t like clutter at home, I’m often hesitant to give people I don’t know so well, like my kids’ teachers, gifts that will take up physical space in their homes.

That’s why I often turn to gift cards for the holidays or when I need a way to say thank you. But I always try to buy my gift cards from Costco for the savings involved.

Costco gift cards are discounted below their face value. This allows you to save big on gift cards for everything from restaurants to entertainment venues to travel.

For example, right now, Costco has a four-pack of $15 electronic gift cards to Krispy Kreme available for $44.99. So it’s like you’re buying three and getting one for free. And what’s neat about my Executive membership is that I’m able to earn cash back on gift card purchases.

If you don’t have an Executive membership, but rather, prefer to spend $65 a year on a basic Costco membership, you should know that you can still earn cash back at the store. Just find yourself a credit card that rewards you for shopping at Costco. Check out this list of the best credit cards for Costco to explore your options.

3. You’re not making your Costco purchases in person

If you tend to do your Costco shopping on the store’s website to avoid the perpetually crowded stores, I can relate. There are times when I’m tempted to order my groceries and toilet paper online and call it a day.

But shopping at Costco.com doesn’t give you the best value. And the reason is that online prices are typically marked up beyond what you’ll pay in stores.

There’s a reason for this. Costco builds the cost of shipping and handling into its online prices. But what this means is that you might pay $2 extra here or $3 extra there for the things you’re buying. And those small amounts can add up to a lot of extra spending.

In fact, a single online order with five items might cost you $10 to $15 extra. Place one online order every month, and you’re potentially talking about an extra $120 to $180 per year.

If crowds have been keeping you out of Costco, do what I do if it works for your schedule. Get there right before the store opens. Sometimes, you’ll be let in a few minutes prior to the store’s official opening time. And even if not, you may find that the store is less crowded when it first opens.

At that time, it’s rare to find much in the way of free samples, so shoppers in my area often try to come later to snag those. Since I don’t care about free samples, I’m able to take advantage of fewer bottlenecks.

No matter which Costco membership you have, it’s best to make the most of it. If these signs apply to you, you may want to change your shopping habits to eke more value out of Costco.

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.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.