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You can buy groceries and household essentials at a discount at Costco. But other purchases can save you money, too. Did you know you can save money when buying gift cards for your favorite brands? Costco sells physical and digital gift cards at cheaper prices. Let me explain why you may want to consider buying discounted gift cards from Costco.

1. You’ll spend less money on gift cards

Purchasing gift cards from Costco can help you keep more money in your checking account. Costco sells discounted gift cards from well-known retailers, including restaurants and entertainment brands. Examples include Domino’s, Dave and Buster’s, and Cinemark Theatres.

But you won’t pay the standard retail price. A $50 gift card won’t cost you $50. While not every gift card purchased from Costco will offer massive savings, every dollar you save makes a difference. Discounts vary, so check to see what current gift card deals are available.

Here are two examples of discounted gift cards you can shop now:

You can score a $50 Nintendo eShop digital gift card for $44.99. Another deal that is available to Costco members is a $50 Cinemark Theatres electronic gift card for $39.99. Saving $5 to $10 on these gift card purchases won’t make you rich, but it’s a win for your wallet.

Want to maximize your savings? Pay for your gift card purchases using a cash back credit card. Check out our curated list of the best cash back credit cards to discover how easy it is to earn cash back rewards when you make purchases like this.

2. It’s an included membership perk

You pay money to be a Costco member. Depending on your membership, that’s an annual cost of $65 to $130. It’s in your best interest to utilize the benefits provided to members to maximize the value of your investment. Buying gift cards at a discounted price is one of many membership perks. If you want to get more from your membership, this is one smart way to do that.

3. You’ll be prepared by having last-minute presents on hand

Have you ever found out about a birthday or celebration at the last minute only to realize that you don’t have time to stop at the store to buy a present? We’ve all been there, and it’s no fun. But the good news is that you can prepare so this never happens again.

Buying discounted gift cards from Costco is a great way to be prepared for last-minute gifting situations. You can buy gift cards at a more affordable price point and keep a few extra around the house for those scenarios when you need a gift that anyone would love. Many people like to receive gift cards as a gift because they have some control over how they spend it.

4. You can save money on regular purchases

Gift cards aren’t only a gift item. You can purchase discounted gift cards from Costco and use them to pay for everyday purchases. If a gift card is available for one or more of your go-to retailers, you can save money without making much more effort thanks to deals like this.

Use your Costco membership perks to buy cheaper gift cards

If you’re a Costco member, check to see if the gift card you plan to buy is sold at your local club or Costco.com. This will help you save money and get more value from your membership.

Warehouse clubs sometimes offer a unique selection of gift cards compared to Costco’s website. For example, you can often find gift cards available to local chains, also at a discount.

Want to save even more money? Pay attention to gift card deals during the holiday season. Costco often discounts some gift cards more heavily, leading up to major holidays. You can get a bigger discount by purchasing them during the holiday sales season.

Get rewarded when you shop

Now, you can see why you may want to add gift cards to your cart the next time you’re at Costco. Here’s one final shopping tip: Take advantage of the chance to earn rewards. Whether shopping at Costco or other retailers, paying with a rewards credit card is wise.

You can earn cash back when you swipe a cash back credit card at checkout. Are you a big Costco fan? Explore the best credit cards for Costco to discover how to maximize your savings by earning rewards when shopping at Costco or Costco.com.

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.

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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.Natasha Gabrielle 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.