Since Costco is a membership club, the big-box store is free to make its own rules. Members are expected to follow them, and failure to do so could have consequences, including potentially losing access to Costco altogether.
Costco has many rules, from requirements related to free samples to restrictions on access for non-members.
Related: Costco adds strict new policy for free samples
And recently, the big-box store put a new policy in place. It started on June 30, 2025, but there was a grace period. That period is now officially coming to an end as of August 31, and all customers must follow the new mandate.
The new policy is a controversial one, which has upset some members and workers. Still, regardless of your opinion, the grace period is over, and strict enforcement will begin. This could leave some customers prevented from entry.
Here are the details about the Costco rule change going into effect, along with some insight into why it is controversial and what it means for you.
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Costco’s new policy changes the rules for all shoppers
Costco’s new policy applies to all shoppers and relates to hours of operation.
Specifically, the company announced that a certain category of shoppers would now have extended hours not available to others. As the Costco website reads in its section regarding hours of operation:
“As of June 30, 2025, exclusive earlier shopping hours for Executive members may be available at your local warehouse. Check store details for more information.”
Under the new rule, Executive shoppers can enter Costco stores up to one hour earlier than other members on weekdays and on Sundays. On Saturdays, they can come half an hour early.
Costco provided a grace period on new hours, but that’s coming to an end
Costco provided some time for customers to get used to the change.
In fact, there were signs posted that made clear the rules would not be enforced immediately, with one sign reading: “A grace period for Gold Star and Business members will be in effect through August 31.”
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Since that key date is now upon us, there is no more leeway. Costco is not going to continue to be flexible, and anyone who does not have an Executive membership won’t be allowed to come to the store early or stay as late.
Costco aims to reward Executive membership
Offering extended hours to Executive members is a perk that Costco hopes will make this membership tier even more attractive. It also rewards those who spend extra for a higher-priced membership, and who tend to be more frequent Costco shoppers. As Costco told Business Insider:
“Our Executive Members are our most loyal members, and we want to reward them for their commitment to Costco.”
With Costco stores often becoming very crowded, especially on weekends, this reward is a very valuable one that could prompt people to opt for the higher membership tier.
How you can benefit from Costco's new policy
If you want to become an Executive member to shop early, you should know that there are two different membership tiers.
According to Costco, the two tiers include the following:
- Executive Membership: This costs $130 per year and comes with the extra hours. It also provides 2% back on qualifying Costco purchases.
- Gold Star membership: This membership costs $65 per year and does not include any cash back, nor does it include extended hours.
There is also a Business Membership, which is also priced at $65 and does not allow you to access the store early.
Why is Costco’s new policy so controversial?
The new policy that's going into effect on August 31 is controversial for a number of reasons.
Some workers were upset about the new hours, with one employee posting on Reddit, “We struggle to get open [at] 9:45, I can imagine it's going to be fun every morning in merchandising.”
Another commented that this reflected a fundamental change in Costco's operations, which was part of a broader issue.
“Corporate announcing this with 3 weeks notice, while in the middle of a hiring freeze, AND severely cutting hours? Costco is not the same company it once was.”
The same worker also expressed fear that “non-executive members are just going to bully themselves in and we will be told to do more with less, as we have been.”
Costco members consider cancellation over new policy
Many non-Executive members were also upset as well, with several posting to Facebook to say they were canceling their membership, including a Facebook poster named Gary Blake, who was caught off-guard by the change and who said:
Others complained the policy was too similar to that of Sam’s Club, which has long provided extended hours to those who spring for the upgraded membership tier.
Regardless of these concerns, the new policy will now officially be enforced, so everyone needs to start following it effective immediately.
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