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If you’ve ever spent time on Costco’s website and thought, “Wow, this is not awesome or modern in any way!” then I have good news: The Costco mobile app is so much better.

I’m not the only one who thinks so, either. It has 4.8 and 4.7 stars in the Apple and Android stores, respectively, which is about as good as most apps can hope for from the masses.

Not sold? Here are a few reasons why I think every Costco shopper should use the Costco mobile app.

1. Access to your digital membership card

If you use the Costco app for nothing else, this could be enough to make it worth the download: a digital membership card. No more digging through your wallet, realizing you somehow forgot your card, and having to visit the Member desk.

Instead, you can open your phone and access your digital membership card with two taps:

1. Open Costco app
2. Click Account tab

Your digital membership card is displayed right at the top of the Account tab. A quick scan of the QR code unlocks registers and gas pumps that require a membership card to use.

2. Manage and pay with your Costco credit card

You can already use a variety of digital wallets at Costco, including Apple Pay (and Google Pay and Samsung Pay in-store only). But if you have a cobranded Costco credit card, you can also use your Costco mobile app to pay.

All you need to do is add your Costco cobranded credit card to the app, which links it to your digital membership card. Now, you can pay right from the app at checkout, both in store and at the pump.

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3. See warehouse inventory and gas prices

If I had to narrow down my gripes with the Costco website to one thing, it would probably be the lack of store inventory info online. Nowhere on the regular Costco.com site can you see what’s actually available at your local store.

The mobile app fills this annoying gap. You can choose a store, then see a (relatively*) current list of what’s in stock, including groceries and other warehouse-only items. If the location has a gas station, you’ll also see the current prices for fuel.

*The stock numbers are never going to be 100% accurate. No retail store in the history of forever has ever had an entirely accurate stock list (not even right after inventory…). This app could be using up-to-the-minute data directly from the Costco system and there will still be discrepancies.

4. Keep up with the latest sales and deals

I regularly visit several different shops to make the most of my budget, and comparing sales to find the best deals is a key part of my savings strategy. Being able to easily scroll through Costco’s sales flyers on my phone makes this so simple.

You can see both warehouse and online sales, as well as new price reductions for items on their way out. Add deals to your shopping list, wishlist, or Costco.com shopping cart.

And you can do it from anywhere, whenever you have some spare time to browse sales. (Really, anywhere — yes, even there. We won’t judge.)

5. Maintain a shopping list for a streamlined visit

You can find a lot of great strategies for saving money at Costco. But arguably one of the most effective is to make a list.

Alright, you also have to stick to the list, which is the harder part — especially because making a Costco shopping list is really easy with the mobile app.

You can make wishlists, as well as several types of shopping lists, including separate lists for your online purchases as well as warehouse needs. And since you’re probably not leaving your phone behind when you go to the store, you won’t need to worry about forgetting your shopping list, either.

The app is available on Apple and Android phones

You can get the mobile app for either Apple or Android smartphones. Make sure you log into your Costco account in the app to access all the features and functions.

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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.Brittney Myers 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.