Costco’s New VIP Hour: Exclusive Early Access for Executive Members 🛒
What’s New with VIP Hour at Costco? 🌟
Costco has rolled out a game-changing perk for its Executive Members: the VIP Hour, offering exclusive early access to warehouses nationwide starting September 1, 2025. This benefit, formalized after a soft launch in June, lets Executive Members shop from 9–10 a.m. on weekdays and Sundays, and 9–9:30 a.m. on Saturdays, before standard members can enter. It’s designed to reward loyalty, reduce crowding, and give high-spending members a quieter shopping experience for essentials, big-ticket items, and services. 🚪
How Executive Member Shopping Hours Work ⏰
Executive Members now enjoy exclusive entry during specific hours:
- 📅 Monday–Friday: 9:00–10:00 a.m.
- 📆 Saturday: 9:00–9:30 a.m.
- 🔔 Sunday: 9:00–10:00 a.m.
Gold Star and Business members must wait until regular opening times (10 a.m. on weekdays/Sundays, 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays) and may be turned away if they arrive during the VIP Hour. This policy, strictly enforced since September 1 after a grace period through August 31, reflects Costco’s push for a smoother, loyalty-focused experience. 🕒
Membership Costs and Upgrade Value 💸
An Executive Membership costs $130 annually, compared to $65 for Gold Star or Business tiers. For frequent shoppers, the added perks—like early access, higher cashback rewards, and time saved avoiding crowds—can make the upgrade worthwhile. Costco’s strategy aligns with competitors offering premium-tier early entry, ensuring Executive Members get premium value. 📈
Real-Life Benefits of VIP Hour 🛍️
A Family’s Time-Saving Win
A Seattle family of four upgraded to Executive Membership to leverage VIP Hour. Shopping at 9 a.m. on weekdays, they found faster checkouts, better stock availability for staples and electronics, and less time spent in-store compared to peak hours. Combining early access with Executive rewards and same-day fulfillment credits, they turned the $65 extra cost into significant savings and convenience. 🏠
Small Business Efficiency
A small catering business used the 9 a.m. weekday access to streamline bulk shopping. Quieter aisles meant quicker pickups, fewer stockouts of perishables, and easier loading for events, making schedules more reliable. With nationwide enforcement, these gains are now consistent. 🍽️
Visualizing VIP Hour: Early Access by Day 📊
| Day | Executive Member Hours | General Opening | Early Access (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 9:00–10:00 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. | 60 |
| Tuesday | 9:00–10:00 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. | 60 |
| Wednesday | 9:00–10:00 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. | 60 |
| Thursday | 9:00–10:00 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. | 60 |
| Friday | 9:00–10:00 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. | 60 |
| Saturday | 9:00–9:30 a.m. | 9:30 a.m. | 30 |
| Sunday | 9:00–10:00 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. | 60 |
Early Access Bar Graph 📉
Monday
60 min
Tuesday
60 min
Wednesday
60 min
Thursday
60 min
Friday
60 min
Saturday
30 min
Sunday
60 min
What to Expect During VIP Hour 🏬
Executive Members can enjoy smoother access to departments like optical and pharmacy during VIP Hour, though pharmacy closures on Sundays still apply. The perk aims to ease service bottlenecks and enhance the shopping experience. Some members have raised concerns about favoritism toward higher tiers, but Costco frames this as a loyalty reward amid broader operational updates. 🔍
Tips to Maximize VIP Hour 🎯
To get the most out of VIP Hour, plan your shopping around high-demand items and services that get crowded after general opening. Focus on the 9–10 a.m. window (or 9–9:30 a.m. on Saturdays) for shorter lines and better stock. Evaluate if the $130 Executive Membership fee is worth it for your household or business based on time savings and rewards. Upgrade online or in-warehouse, and confirm hours for your local Costco starting September 1. 🛠️
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
What is the VIP Hour at Costco and who can use it?
VIP Hour is exclusive early access for Executive Members from 9–10 a.m. on weekdays and Sundays, and 9–9:30 a.m. on Saturdays, enforced nationwide starting September 1, 2025.
What are the exact Executive Member shopping hours by day?
Executive hours are 9–10 a.m. Monday–Friday and Sunday, and 9–9:30 a.m. Saturday. General entry starts at 10 a.m. on weekdays/Sundays and 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays.
How do non-Executive members navigate the new early access rules?
Gold Star and Business members must wait until standard opening times and may be turned away if they arrive during the Executive-only VIP Hour starting September 1, 2025.
Is an Executive Membership worth it for early access?
For frequent shoppers or small businesses, early access, enhanced rewards, and smoother trips can justify the $130 annual fee compared to the $65 standard tiers.
Did Costco confirm the policy, and when did enforcement begin?
Yes, Costco confirmed the policy via media and its website. A soft launch began in June, with strict enforcement starting September 1, 2025, after a grace period through August 31.
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