With gas prices quite high these days, finding a place like Costco that offers gas even for a bit cheaper is TOTALLY worth it. So, the next time you’re at Costco and need to fill up your car with gas, consider going to the Costco gas station. Here’s everything you need to know about Costco gas hours, the holidays they close, and the payment methods they accept.

Costco Gas Hours of Operation

As a rule, Costco gas stations are open from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. every day of the week.

I often pull into my local Costco gas station at 6:05 a.m. and have the place to myself, if you go to work early, it’s the best time to fill up.

That being said, the hours may vary based on your specific store’s location.

It’s important to keep in mind that Costco’s store hours are typically from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m..

Costco gas stations are open longer than the store itself to allow commuters time to fill up their tanks on the way to work.

See Also: 7 Must-Know Tips About Buying Costco Gas

PRO TIP: COSTCO GAS IS A “TOP TIER” APPROVED FUEL

Costco sells gasoline that is “Top Tier” approved, meaning that it meets the “high-quality” standards of leading automotive and heavy-duty equipment manufacturers.

These manufacturers include Honda, BMW, Toyota, GM, Ford, and Audi to name a few. In other words, it’s good gas, typically much better than the other “bargain” gas stations in the town you live in.

They Close on Certain Holidays

Costco gas stations are closed on certain holidays where their warehouses are ALSO closed.

Specifically, Costco gas stations are closed on these holidays:

– New Year’s Day

– Easter

– Memorial Day

– Independence Day

– Labor Day

– Thanksgiving Day

– Christmas Day

Costco gas stations will be closed on ALL DAYS when the warehouse is closed for business.

Therefore, if it’s a holiday and the Costco warehouse is closed, you can expect the gas station to also be closed.

PRO TIP: ALWAYS TAP YOUR CARD WHEN PAYING FOR GAS

According to Experian, tapping your credit card is ALWAYS the safest way to buy gas.

The reason is because your card will never have to interact with a potential credit card skimming device. Inserting your chip is the next safest way.

Sliding your credit card is the most vulnerable way to pay and should be avoided.

Fortunately most credit cards made today are chip-enabled allowing you to tap your credit card.

The Hours They’re the Least Crowded

There is no concrete answer for when the best time to go to a Costco gas station is.

This is because inevitably crowds will vary based on location, time of year, etc.

However, most Costco gas stations appear to be the least crowded during the following:

1. Right when they first open at 6 a.m.

2. Around late morning/early afternoon on weekdays when most people are still at work.

You can expect the weekend, in general, to be more crowded compared to weekdays.

PRO TIP: SHOW UP AT 9:20 P.M.

Show up ten minutes before they close at 9:20 p.m. and you’ll have the station to yourself.

This is by far the BEST time to fill up your tank at a Costco gas station, trust me on this one.

If you show up and there are long lines for the “left side” pumps, just go to a “right side” pump and use the LONG hose to fill up your car. If you drive a big ol’ truck or SUV the hose might not reach, but for everything else you’re golden.

See Also: Costco Employees Tell Me to ALWAYS Shop on a Tuesday

Need to Be a Member to Buy Gas

Unfortunately, you must be a Costco member to buy gas at a Costco gas station.

When you get to the pump, you’ll be asked to do one of 3 things:

1. Tap your Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi (the easiest way as your membership number is already attached to it)

2. Insert your Costco Membership Card, then Tap your Visa card. 

3. Insert your Costco Membership Card, then use your smartphone to pay via Apple Pay or Google Pay.

A highly clever workaround is to have a member buy you a Costco Shop Card (up to $500) and then you can use it to buy gas at Costco without a membership.

See Also: After Getting Gas, Go Check Out the Costco Food Court

Costco Gas Stations After Dark

Generally speaking, Costco gas stations are safe after dark; however, you should always be aware of your surroundings and not leave your vehicle if you ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable– your gas can wait.

If you can, try to fill up with other cars nearby, or in the close vicinity of other customers getting gas.

See Also: Costco Raises Membership Cost and Introduces New “Entry” Policy

Can’t Use Cash to Buy Gas at Costco

This is because Costco is trying to reduce wait times so they don’t want their attendants handling cash.

These are the following payment methods you can use at Costco gas stations:

– All Visa Cards

– Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi

– Most Pin-Based Debit/ATM cards

– Costco Shop Cards

You can also use Apple Pay at Costco gas stations.

It’s important to note you do need to have a Visa card connected to your Apple Wallet to be able to use your Apple Pay at Costco gas stations.

The same things go for using Google Pay on your Android device.

Unfortunately, you cannot use your EBT benefits to buy gas at Costco.

Ask the Reader: Do you regularly buy your gas at Costco? If so, did I miss any tidbits of information in my article? Let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

Ever heard of Bullseye’s Playground or Target Dollar Spot? Many avid shoppers have been walking past it for years. Here, shoppers can find an array of items that range from $1 to $5, making it a great spot to find deals at Target. If you’re interested in adding this Target savings hack to your repertoire, keep reading to learn how it all works.

Target’s Dollar Spot section, which is located in the front of most Target stores, is where customers can explore a wide range of cheaply priced products.

Everything Is Not Just $1

While some products are just $1, products range from $1 to $5.

This is both good and bad because while everything in the Dollar Spot section isn’t necessarily a dollar, there are some higher-quality $5 items you can find that are well worth the 5 bucks.

For example, you can find quality kitchen supplies, toys, home décor items, and more.

PRO TIP: LOOK FOR TARGET CIRCLE OFFERS

Occasionally, Target Circle features additional discounts on Bullseye’s Playground items. Regularly check the app for such offers to maximize savings.

Also, purchases made with the Target RedCard receive an extra 5% discount, including items from the Dollar Spot. This can lead to significant savings over time.

See Also: These Target Stores Are Closing or Already Closed

The Items Found in the Dollar Spot

You can find all sorts of items in the Dollar spot section, including these popular products:

– Electronics

– Home Décor

– Coffee Mugs

– Candles

– Faux Plants

– Textiles

– Toys

– Party Supplies

PRO TIP: USE DOLLAR SPOT FOR DIY PROJECTS

Many items in the Dollar Spot, like mini chalkboards, cheap picture frames, storage bins, and craft supplies, are excellent for crafty DIY projects.

Plan ahead for decor, gift-wrapping, practical DIY projects, or party favors and save a fortune compared to buying from craft stores.

See Also: Stores Known for Slashing Prices Near “Best-By” Dates

There’s No Dollar Spot on Target.com

While back-in-the-day you used to be able to lookup Target dollar spot deals online, you cannot anymore.

Therefore, you can ONLY shop Target Dollar Spot deals in-store, not on Target.com.

PRO TIP: SHOP EARLY IN THE WEEK

Target’s Dollar Spot tends to get restocked on Monday or Tuesday mornings.

So by visiting early in the week it increases your chances of snagging the most popular items before they’re gone.

Also, store employees often know the restocking schedule for the Dollar Spot at their particular store.

So DON’T be afraid to strike up a friendly conversation to find out the best times to shop and ensure you don’t miss out.

Is the Dollar Spot Better than the Dollar Tree?

“Better” is subjective.

In general, yes, you can find more variety and quality items in the Target Dollar Spot section compared to items sold at a Dollar Tree.

However, you have to keep in mind that Dollar Spot products range in price from $1 up to $5.

This is a fairly big range relative to Dollar Tree which has prices that hover at the $1.25 mark.

See Also: Dollar Tree Raising Prices to $1.25 – What Does It Mean PLUS Hacks for Savings

Seasonal Aspect to the Dollar Spot

There definitely is a seasonal aspect to the Target Dollar Spot section.

Major markdowns in the dollar spot section will happen during the changing of seasons, which makes sense as Target looks to clear-out items.

For example, after the holidays, you may notice significant markdowns like 50% off for holiday products.

Or, you may notice markdowns in fall home décor as it transitions into the winter months.

PRO TIP: SCRAPBOOKERS REJOICE

Scrapbook enthusiasts will love the Dollar Spot’s affordable stickers, washi tape, and small embellishments.

All of which you can use to decorate photo albums or journals, create DIY cards for holidays or birthdays, and even add unique details to scrapbook pages without overspending.

eBay Resellers Will Like It…Usually

In general, YES the Dollar Spot section is a good place for eBay resellers to shop.

That being, there are a few factors to keep in mind.

With any Target store and time of year, inventory will vary by store and prices and new markdowns will fluctuate.

However, the Dollar Spot section is a good place to keep in mind for eBay resellers who are on the hunt for some deals.

See Also: 4 eBay Tricks That’ll Score You a Great Deal Almost Every Time

Two Things Happen to The Stuff That Doesn’t Sell

Inevitably the Dollar Spot will have items that just don’t sell for whatever reason.

Target will typically do 1 of 2 things with stuff that doesn’t sell:

1. Mark it down by 50% – According to this Target employee, you’ll want to look for a sign that says “X color dot is 50% off”.

2. Sell it to a Target Salvage Store – Check this article to find a Target salvage store in your area so you can score “formerly” Target items for an even bigger discount.

Ask the Reader: Do you always stop at the Target Dollar Spot section when you walk in the store? What’s the best deal you’ve ever scored?

By Kyle James

Whether you’re looking to buy a toy for your pet, your favorite makeup product, or a doormat for your house, Amazon truly has it all. With so many things to buy on Amazon, this can make racking up a large order balance quite easy. However, Amazon gift cards in conjunction with your credit or debit card can be a great way to split up the payment. Discover exactly how to make an Amazon split payment, and what you’re unable to do with Amazon’s split payment method below.

You can split a payment on Amazon between an accepted credit or debit card AND an Amazon.com gift card.

However, you cannot split a payment between multiple debit and/or credit cards.

The Steps to Make it Happen

Here are the simple steps on how to split a payment on Amazon if you want to use a gift card and a credit card at checkout.

1. On your PC or Mac computer, ensure all the items you want to buy are added to your cart on Amazon.

2. Go to your cart and click the “Proceed to checkout” button (should be in the upper-right corner of your screen).

3. Then, in the “Add a gift card, promotion code, or voucher”, you’ll want to enter your Amazon gift card information and click “Apply”.

4. You may already have an outstanding gift card balance previously applied. If so, click the “Use your $X gift card balance” to use the rest of your gift card balance.

5. Select the debit or credit card you’d like to use to pay the rest of your order balance.

6. Review the page to ensure the correct gift card and payment method were selected, and then click “Place your order”.

PRO TIP: LEVERAGE VISA OR MASTERCARD GIFT CARDS

Look for promotions or cashback offers when purchasing Visa or Mastercard gift cards. Many retailers, especially during holidays, offer these at discounted rates or with additional perks.

By adding Visa or Mastercard gift cards to your Amazon Wallet, you gain flexibility in splitting payments on Amazon.

You can control how much of your purchase is funded by preloaded cards versus your main payment method, making this a handy tool for budgeting, gift giving, or taking advantage of rewards and cashback programs.

Note: Make sure the gift card is “open-loop”, meaning it can be used anywhere that accepts Visa or Mastercard.

See Also: The Easy Steps to Hide Your Amazon Orders

No Minimum Order Requirements

There are NOT any minimum order size requirements to split payments on Amazon between a gift card and a credit, debit, or prepaid credit card.

This makes it a great way to use up the rest of your Amazon gift card balance (even if it’s just a small amount).

You also don’t have to be a Prime member to split the payment between a gift card and a credit, debit, or prepaid card.

Any Amazon customer can split a payment on Amazon.

PRO TIP: PREFER TO USE PAYPAL?

If you want to use your PayPal balance to offset your Amazon purchases I have a clever workaround for you.

Simply use PayPal to purchase Amazon gift cards and add those gift cards to your Amazon account.

This allows you to indirectly use PayPal funds for Amazon purchases, effectively splitting payments between PayPal and your credit/debit card.

Can I Use 2 Separate Credit or Debit Cards to Pay?

No.

You cannot use 2 separate credit or debit cards to pay on Amazon.

You can only use a gift card along with 1 credit or debit card to pay.

See Also: How Late Does Amazon Deliver? Here’s the Real Dealio

How About Using 3 Credit Cards?

No.

Again, you can only split payments between a single credit card and a gift card.

PRO TIP: SPLIT AND CONQUER

Consider splitting your Amazon order up into different transactions and use a different credit card for each transaction if you want to use 3 separate cards.

Work Around for Using 2 Debit or Credit Cards

For financial reasons, you might find yourself needing to use 2 debit or credit cards on a purchase which Amazon prohibits.

But a clever workaround is to use a debit or credit card to buy an Amazon gift card for whatever amount you want, THEN use that gift card with your other debit or credit card.

This is also works as a way to essentially split a purchase with a friend so one of you doesn’t have to put the entire amount on their credit card and get reimbursed later.

Use a Gift Card and a Credit Card to Pay

Amazon’s split payment method encourages customers to use a gift card with a credit or debit card to pay for their order.

This way, if you have a gift card that doesn’t pay for your full order, you can still use it to deduct your total balance and then use your credit card to pay off the remaining balance.

Use a “Prepaid” Credit Card and a Gift Card to Split a Payment

You can use a prepaid credit card along with an Amazon gift card to split your Amazon payment.

Therefore, if you have a Visa, MasterCard, or America Express prepaid credit card lying around, consider using it next time you shop on Amazon.

Ask the Reader: Do you split your Amazon payments often? If so, have you ever ran into any issues?

By Kyle James