5 Costco App Features You Shouldn’t Ignore (That Actually Save Time and Money)

In an age where it seems like every company or business expects you to download their app, it can be frustrating to learn that not all of them are particularly useful. Warehouse retailer Costco’s app has some very useful features, many of which can save you time and money. The Costco app can be useful for checking a store’s inventory, but it’s also capable of more complex tasks, like managing your prescriptions or even ordering items from specific departments. Since the warehouse retailer can be a good place to do bulk shopping on the cheap or even build your own retro arcade, frequent Costco shoppers should definitely take a look at everything the app has to offer.

The Costco app is available on the Apple App Store and requires iOS 16 or later, and on the Google Play Store and requires Android 12 or later. Both apps are free to download and receive periodic updates which usually involve bug fixes and new features.

One of the easiest ways to save time with the Costco app is to search its warehouse inventory to see if the items you want are available in the first place. To take full advantage of this feature, you will need to select a default warehouse in the app. Luckily, we can show you how to set it up.

Follow these steps:

1. Open the Costco app.

2. Choose the Warehouse icon at the bottom of the screen.

3. Select Warehouses to view a map of Costco stores in your area.

4. You can also use the search icon to search for locations by city, state, or zip code.

5. Select a pinned warehouse on the map, then select Warehouse Details.

6. Tap the location pin in the upper right corner to set your personal warehouse.

Once this is done, you can start checking the inventory:

1. Tap the Warehouse icon at the bottom of the Costco app.

2. Select Search Warehouse Inventory under your default location.

3. Start searching for items via the search page.

4. Scroll through the results to check if an item is available or low in stock.

5. Select Search Nearby next to an item to see if other warehouses have it.

Since we’re constantly scouring Costco for electronic items and devices, such as those computer monitors that members swear by, it can also be convenient to see if an item is available at your local warehouse rather than ordering it online and waiting for Costco to ship it to you. You will also see a store’s opening hours when selecting a warehouse.

Shopping lists are a good way to avoid impulse purchases and endless wandering around a store. It’s also a good way to remember to bring basic necessities, which helps avoid multiple trips. Luckily, you can create shopping lists through the Costco app, and once the list is created, you can even order items through it.

Follow these steps to get started:

1. Open the Costco app.

2. Select an item in the Costco app.

3. On the product page, click the heart icon next to the word “Add.”

4. On the next page, enter a name for your new list and select Add to List.

5. To view your lists, go to the Account button at the bottom of the screen.

6. Select Lists.

7. Choose Show Costco.com Listings.

8. You can find your created shopping list from this page or you can create a new list.

If you’re logged in, you’ll be able to view the lists you’ve created on the Costco website, and you’ll also be able to add them to a warehouse list without needing to log in. Once you create a list, you can easily select items and add them to your cart.

This can be helpful if you buy certain products frequently or are trying to put together the best tech gadgets for your bedroom. Shopping lists also work with warehouse items via the members-only savings book; just swipe right on the item or select Add to list. This also works for online-only items, although the Add to List button is to the right of the product.

With gas prices constantly fluctuating, knowing the prices before you fill up can save you time and even help you avoid paying too much at the pump. Costco has about 550 gas stations in the United States, and its members can generally expect to save between $0.05 and $0.40 per gallon, which can make a difference when prices skyrocket.

Using the app, finding the cost of gas at your local Costco is pretty simple and can give you an idea of ​​what you can expect to pay when you’re on the road. There’s also the little bonus that Costco pumps can help you avoid card skimming scams, which is always nice.

Here is the process:

1. Open the Costco app.

2. Select the Warehouse icon at the bottom of the screen.

3. Select a warehouse by tapping its pin.

4. You will be redirected to the details page for that warehouse, which shows opening hours and current gas prices.

5. You can also use the search filter if you are looking for Diesel.

Focusing a little more on travel, it’s worth mentioning that you can also book rental cars, cruises, hotels, and vacation packages through the Costco app. Just open the app, tap Buy at the bottom, then tap Travel. Since the company can offer deals even on vacation, it’s never a bad idea to have another source to check prices. The company can also offer cheaper rates than its competitors.

If you’ve ever shopped at a physical Costco store, you may already know that the retailer offers photo printing services. However, you may not know that Costco partners with Shutterfly to offer members special discounts. In addition to free shipping on orders of $30 or more, Costco members can save 51% off the retail price on Shutterfly orders.

You can actually use the Costco app to order prints. Using the application is quite simple and it also allows you to choose photos directly from your smartphone. Using the Costco app, you can order a variety of items including prints, photo books, cards, and more.

Here are the steps:

1. Open the Costco app.

2. Select the Store icon at the bottom of the screen.

3. Choose See All in the Featured Services section

4. Tap Photo center.

5. Scroll down and select Get Started.

6. From there, you can start creating prints to deliver.

7. From there, select the Visit external link button to go to the Costco and Shutterfly brand page.

Once you’ve set it up correctly, you’ll be able to have items shipped to a specific location, or you can choose to pick them up directly from the retailer (varies by location). As helpful as this is, don’t forget that your Costco membership comes with additional benefits. However, this one is also suitable if you ever need a last minute gift for a family member.

Costco has its own pharmacy, and the nice thing is that you can use it even if you don’t have a membership. However, a membership can provide you with additional savings through member-only pricing. Through Costco Pharmacy, customers can schedule vaccinations, send prescriptions to Costco, get pet medications, and more. Best of all, you can do many of these things directly through the mobile app, which can save you time if you’re unable to visit a physical location.

To get started with Costco Pharmacy through the app, follow these steps:

1. Open the Costco app.

2. Select Store at the bottom of the screen.

3. Under Featured Services, select Pharmacy

4. From here, you can either log in from the upper right corner or navigate to Costco Pharmacy options from the available list.

As long as you have the phone number you ordered prescriptions with or the prescription number itself, you will be able to order them directly from the app. However, you’ll also be able to locate pharmacies through the app, as well as a few additional options if you select More from the Costco pharmacy list.

Just as there are several reasons to take advantage of the Costco Tire Center, properly using the retailer’s pharmacy also has its own benefits. Don’t forget that Costco accepts major insurance plans and the retailer even promises to offer “competitive pricing” to those who go without.