Key Points:
- Costco now offers exclusive early shopping hours for Executive Members starting September 1, 2025.
- The policy aims to boost loyalty and encourage upgrades to the $130 Executive tier.
- Reactions are mixed, with praise for convenience and criticism over exclusion.
Starting September 1, 2025, Costco Shopping has undergone a major shift—Executive Members now enjoy exclusive access to warehouses one hour before regular members. Stores will open their doors to Executive Members at 9 a.m. on weekdays and Sundays, while general Gold Star and Business members must wait until 10 a.m. On Saturdays, Executive Members can shop until 9:30 a.m. before standard access begins.
The new rule was previewed during the summer, with a grace period that allowed all shoppers early entry, but that phase officially ended on August 31. From September, the policy is being fully enforced across all U.S. locations, making Executive membership a more distinct tier than ever before.
Why Costco Made the Shift
The change highlights Costco’s focus on rewarding its most loyal and profitable members. Executive Membership, which costs about $130 annually, comes with additional perks, including a 2% annual cashback reward on eligible purchases and monthly credits for qualifying online orders. By comparison, the standard Gold Star and Business memberships remain at around $65 annually but no longer offer the early Costco Shopping privilege.
For Costco Shopping , the strategy is more than a perk—it is a calculated move to strengthen customer loyalty and encourage upgrades. While Executive Members make up less than half of the total membership base, they account for a significant majority of the company’s overall sales. Membership fee revenue has also surged this year, showing how central the program is to Costco’s growth model. The new policy not only enhances value for Executive Members but also positions Costco to compete more directly with rivals like Sam’s Club, which has long offered similar early access benefits for its premium members.
Shoppers React: Convenience vs. Exclusion
The rollout has sparked a mixed response among Costco’s loyal shoppers. Many Executive Members welcome the change, citing less crowded aisles, shorter checkout lines, easier parking, and a generally calmer Costco Shopping experience during the early hours. For frequent or bulk shoppers, the difference has been described as substantial, offering a smoother and faster routine.
On the other hand, some long-time Gold Star and Business members have voiced frustration, calling the move elitist and inconvenient. For those who previously relied on early hours—whether for medical, accessibility, or scheduling reasons—the change feels exclusionary. Social media reactions mirror this divide: some customers praise Costco for rewarding high-value members, while others criticize the shift as a step away from the brand’s traditionally inclusive image.
Despite the pushback, Costco Shopping shows no signs of reversing course. With the official enforcement now in place, the retail giant appears confident that the long-term benefits of this strategy—both financially and in terms of member loyalty—will outweigh the immediate controversy.
