Bottom Line Up Front
If you think your Costco card will automatically give you cheap fuel in Europe, Japan, or Mexico, think again. Costco’s low‑price gasoline program is limited to the United States and a handful of Canadian locations, and there’s no official network of Costco stations overseas.
Can a Costco Membership Get You Cheaper Gas Abroad? The Facts
Image: Can a Costco Membership Get You Cheaper Gas Abroad? The Facts – Performance Comparison and Specifications
How Costco Gas Works at Home
In the U.S., members fill up at Costco pumps that are usually 10‑15 cents per gallon cheaper than the next‑door station. The discount comes from Costco buying fuel in bulk and passing the savings to members. The same idea applies in Canada, where Costco operates a small number of stations with competitive prices.
What Happens When You Travel Abroad?
When you cross a border, the Costco brand disappears. There are no Costco‑branded stations in most countries, and the membership card is not accepted for fuel discounts anywhere else. Some travelers have reported finding “partner” stations that honor the card, but those are rare and not officially listed by Costco.
Price Comparison: Costco vs. Local Stations
To give you a sense of the difference, here’s a quick snapshot of average gasoline prices in a few popular travel destinations compared with the few Costco‑linked prices you might find.
| Engine | Mileage | Price | Top Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | USA (Costco) – $2.79/gal | Member‑only discount |
| N/A | N/A | Canada (Costco) – C$1.39/L | Member‑only discount |
| N/A | N/A | UK (Average) – £1.70/L | No Costco discount |
| N/A | N/A | Japan (Average) – ¥160/L | No Costco discount |
Are There Any Work‑arounds?
Some savvy members use a U.S. address to buy a Costco Travel package that includes a rental car. The rental company may have a fuel‑price guarantee, but that’s a separate service, not a gasoline discount. In short, there’s no official way to get the Costco fuel price outside of its own stations.
FAQ
Can I use my Costco card at foreign gas stations?
No. Costco does not have a partnership that extends fuel discounts to stations outside the U.S. and Canada.
Do any countries have Costco gas stations?
Only the United States and Canada currently operate Costco fuel stations.
Will a Costco travel package give me cheaper fuel abroad?
Only if the package includes a specific fuel‑price guarantee from the rental company. The Costco membership itself does not lower foreign gas prices.
Have you tried to use your Costco card overseas? Share your experience in the comments below!
Source: Read Official News
