Costco has gone “members only” for gas. The company’s 2004 members-only policy violated state fuel laws, but a spokeswoman for the state Treasury Department argued last month that the move has no effect on gas sales. The news comes as gas prices have slipped slightly before the holiday weekend. Despite the price drop, Costco gas is not as cheap as Kirkland Signature or Amerimart. Unlike Kirkland Signature, Costco sells gasoline only near its warehouses.
Costco gas is cheaper than Kirkland Signature
Gasoline at Costco is top-quality, and you can be confident that it won’t leave your engine feeling like a slug. Kirkland Signature Gasoline meets the highest standards for gasoline quality, and it contains deposit-control additives that deep-clean engine parts. However, there are a few caveats to Costco gas prices. You’ll likely have to wait in long lines, so if you’re in a rush, fill up at another location.
Costco gasoline is superior to most other brands of gas, but it is not necessarily better quality than other gas companies. According to Reddit threads, Costco purchases gas from refineries and rebrands it under the Kirkland brand. But before you give up hope, remember that the fuel additives added at Costco gas stations are the same ones that Mobil uses. In fact, they meet the US government’s additive requirements just like Mobil.
It’s better for the environment
While it may be tempting to buy the cheapest gasoline you can find, Costco gasoline is actually better for the environment. This type of fuel contains fewer additives than other major brands. In addition, the quality of Costco gasoline is equivalent to any major brand gasoline. Costco gas is also less expensive than comparable gasoline from other locations. You can even buy Kirkland Signature gasoline at Costco. However, you should consider other factors as well, such as your own preferences.
For instance, Costco gas is made with ethanol-compatible filters that catch debris smaller than 10 microns. Additionally, attendants at Costco check the flow rate of the nozzle and change the filters if the flow rate drops below eight gallons per minute. In addition, the fuel is inspected by electronic sensors every week to ensure that it is free from impurities. Finally, Costco has a commitment to keep its gas prices lower than its competitors and, even if gas prices go up, their prices remain lower.
It’s more expensive than Amerimart
In an effort to keep gas prices down, many drivers have turned to Costco for a convenient fill-up. The Costco gas station near Independence, Mo., is just 9 cents more expensive than a nearby QuikTrip. By using the Costco pump, drivers can save approximately $94 annually, more than the cost of a Costco membership. However, the question remains, should you use Costco for your daily fuel?
One downside to using Costco gas is the low octane level. Impurities in the gasoline can damage engine injectors. These components can be expensive and difficult to replace. Whether or not Costco gas is cheaper than regular stations should be decided after careful consideration. Costco gas is cheaper than Amerimart or other traditional gas stations, but the membership is not without its benefits.
It’s available only near warehouses
As the name implies, Costco gas is cheap. It’s available near warehouses only, and it costs just over a dollar per gallon less than at name-brand gas stations. BP and other name-brand gas stations charge about the same. The only difference is the price of Kirkland-branded gas, which is considered Top Tier. This is an excellent deal for Costco members who drive a lot for their convenience.
However, Costco gas stations are crowded. Long lines are common during peak hours. Also, Costco gas stations are not located near your neighborhood. That means you have to travel to a Costco gas station, which means spending money on gas. And the more trips you make to Costco, the more money you spend. So you’d better plan your trips accordingly. Here are a few things you should keep in mind if you want to visit Costco gas stations:
It’s difficult to pay for
One of the reasons Costco gas is hard to pay for is because of the massive amount of fuel they use each day. In fact, they go through three to four trucks of fuel every day, which makes paying for gas at a Costco station almost impossible. Luckily, Costco has negotiated great fees with credit card processors and doesn’t pay royalties. However, they can’t accept American Express cards because they don’t get as much volume.
One downside of Costco gas is that you can’t pay for it in cash. Costco gas stations don’t take cash; they only accept debit and Visa credit cards. Then there’s the problem of distance. Not all Costco stores are near your house, and you might have to travel a long distance to get there. And it might be difficult to pay with cash or credit cards because Costco doesn’t accept any other payment method except for Visa.
