How we check our numbers
A calculator is only as good as the numbers in it. Here is every one we use, and where it comes from.
Last checked October 12, 2026.
The numbers
| What | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Star membership | $65 / yr | Costco U.S. membership fees |
| Business membership | $65 / yr | Costco U.S. membership fees |
| Executive membership | $130 / yr | Costco U.S. membership fees |
| Upgrade cost to Executive | $65 / yr | Executive fee minus Gold Star fee |
| Executive reward rate | 2% | Costco Executive reward terms |
| Reward cap | $1,250 / yr | Costco Executive reward terms |
| Sam's Club membership | $60 / yr | Sam's Club renewal page |
| Sam's Club Plus membership | $120 / yr | Sam's Club renewal page |
| Sam's Cash on Plus (rate and cap) | 2%, $750 / yr | Sam's Cash FAQ |
| 90-day return items, membership refund | 90 days | Costco customer service |
| Break-even spend | $3,250 / yr | Calculated: upgrade cost divided by the reward rate |
How we keep them current
- We read the numbers from each company's own published U.S. terms, not from other websites. Third-party articles are only used as a prompt to go and check.
- Each number is stored in one place. Every calculator and page on the site reads from that one list, so a change can't leave one page out of date.
- We re-check after any announced fee change and at least every few months, and update the date at the top of this page.
What isn't official
Some popular topics have no official source. Our price tag guide is one: Costco has never published what its price endings mean, so that page says how widely each reading is reported rather than presenting it as fact.
What we don't cover
Our calculators use U.S. fees. Fees, rewards and the list of purchases that earn the reward differ in other countries and can change at any time. Your own receipts and Costco's membership desk are always the final word.
Spotted a mistake?
Please tell us. We fix confirmed errors as soon as we can and update the date above.