Hidden Treasures at Costco: How to Save Smartly

When shopping regularly at Costco, there are certainly some sections that are frequently overlooked. It's no wonder, as the massive warehouse stores offer a plethora of products that can hardly be fully explored in a single visit. However, particularly when purchasing groceries and household items, there is a lesser-known department that promises significant savings: the gift card section. Costco offers a wide selection of gift cards—not only for its own store but also for restaurants and entertainment venues. The best part? These cards are available below their face value. While a $100 gift card costs exactly $100 in a regular store, you can purchase it at Costco for $75 or $80, depending on the current offer. This makes gift shopping more affordable and also appealing for personal use. For example, currently, $100 IHOP gift cards can be purchased at Costco for only $79.99. For families who regularly have breakfast at IHOP, this is an unbeatable deal. Those who buy Nintendo products will also be pleased: $100 Nintendo eShop gift cards are available for just $89.99—a saving of $10. If the desired offer is not available at the local Costco, it is worth checking Costco.com, where an even larger selection might be available. Important to know: Gift cards at Costco are excluded from the return policy. Therefore, before purchasing, ensure that the card will either be used by yourself or will be needed as a gift. Although there are websites that exchange unused gift cards for cash, you often do not receive the full value back. A $50 gift card could, for instance, only bring in $30 there. A final tip: When shopping at Costco, use a non-credit card with high reward potential. An especially attractive option offers a 2% cashback reward on all purchases and a $200 bonus, which can be earned quickly and easily.