Teachers deserve every discount they can get their chalky hand on, am I right? So when I accidentally discovered the Costco teacher discount, I knew I had to bring it to your attention. It’s a little different than most teacher discounts as it focuses on your annual membership and gives you a sweet deal to get you in the doors. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is Costco’s Teacher Discount?

Teachers get a $20 or $40 Costco Shop Card with annual auto-renewal membership with a NEW Costco membership.

 If you sign-up for a Gold Star membership ($65/year) you’ll get a $20 shop card while an Executive membership ($130/year) will score you a $40 shop card.

So teachers basically get a 33% discount on an annual Costco membership, not too shabby.

The Costco Shop Card can be used towards any purchase at the warehouse or online.

IS THIS GOOD FOR “REGULAR” TEACHERS ONLY?

Fortunately this discount is good for more than just “regular” teachers. If you’re employed as one of the following you can also get the new member discount: College or university professor, teacher’s aide, speech pathologist, school administrator, teaching assistant, educational assistant, or if you have a lifetime teaching credential.

How Do I Qualify for the Teacher Discount?

To qualify for Costco’s teacher membership offer, educators need to verify their status as a teacher.

The process is straightforward and can be completed online through the third-party verification service ID.me.

Applicants will need to provide proof of employment, such as a school ID or a current pay stub.

Once verified, teachers can proceed to purchase their Costco membership and receive their Costco Shop Card.

OTHER PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS

Besides a school ID or pay stub, you can also use one of the following as proof of employment: State issued educator certificate, school staff ID, or a signed letter from your school administrator with the school’s letterhead on it.

See Also: Check Out These Great Costco Employee Benefits and Perks

Where Do I Go To Start the Process?

Costco does a good job of hiding this offer from teachers.

You need to visit the “Join Costco” page and scroll half way down the page to the “New Member Promotions” section and click on “Teachers”.

You’ll then click the “Visit External Link” button which will redirect you to ID.me where you’ll verify your employment status as a teacher.

Will I Get the Discount Every Year When I Renew?

No.

Unfortunately, you’ll ONLY get the cash card when you initially sign-up for a Costco membership.

PRO TIP: MUST USE A VISA

When signing up for your new Costco membership, you’ll need to use a Visa card in order to get your free Costco shop card. This is because you’re required to set your membership to Auto Renew and you can only do that with a Visa. You cannot use a MasterCard or Discover card at Costco.

What If My Spouse Is Also a Teacher?

You can only get this teacher discount once per household. 

In other words, you and your spouse cannot sign up for separate Costco memberships in an effort to get this teacher discount twice.

So if you live in the same house, at the same address, only one teacher can claim the discount.

How Does This Discount Compare with Other Retailers?

To give you an idea of how the Costco teacher discount stacks up here are a few popular discounts I’ve written about in detail.

Michaels – They offer teachers a flat 15% discount on both online and in-store purchases.

Target – Every year in July and August, Target runs a “Teacher Prep Event” where teachers can receive a discount on classroom supplies and clothing during back-to-school season.

Verizon – Verizon offers a discount for teachers that equates to $10 off (per month) with 1 line, $25 per month with 2-3 lines, or $20 per month with 4 plus lines.

Maximizing Savings at Costco

For teachers looking to maximize their savings at Costco, it’s essential to plan purchases around sales and seasonal offers.

Costco is renowned for its monthly deals and special savings events, which can further reduce the cost of both classroom and personal items.

Teachers can also benefit from Costco’s in-house brand, Kirkland Signature, which offers comparable quality to brand-name products at a fraction of the cost.

Additionally, educators can combine their Costco membership with other reward programs or cash-back credit cards.

For example, using a card that offers additional cash back on gas purchases can amplify savings when filling up at Costco’s gas stations.

Pros and Cons of a Costco Membership:

If you’re a teacher and contemplating a Costco membership I thought I’d do a quick pros and cons breakdown of a membership so you can decide if it’s right for you.

Pros:

– Access to bulk items can significantly reduce the cost per unit.

– The initial Shop Card helps offset the membership fee.

– Costco’s fuel prices are typically lower than the market, offering additional savings.

– Exclusive member services and products, including travel discounts and pharmacy services.

Cons:

– The lack of a direct discount on every purchase may be less appealing compared to specific educational discounts at other retailers.

– Membership fee is required to access Costco’s pricing and offers.

– Bulk purchases may not be practical for all teachers, depending on storage and needs.

PRO TIP

One of the huge perks of a Costco membership is their very liberal return policy which even allows you to get a full refund of your Costco membership up to 364 days into your annual membership. So you literally have nothing to lose if you want to take advantage of the teacher discount to get in the doors and check out the warehouse for yourself.

Costco’s approach to supporting educators through a membership incentive, rather than a direct discount, positions it as a unique option among bulk-purchase retailers as Sam’s Club does NOT have a similar offer. I hope you can take advantage.

Ask the Reader: Have you taken advantage of the “new-member” teacher discount at Costco yet? Was it an easy process to get your free cash card? Let me know.

By Kyle James