Clark Howard advice: How to avoid Costco membership increase

Warehouse club shoppers across the country have been griping since Costco announced a $5 increase in the cost of an annual membership.

But here's some good news: Depending on your renewal date, you might be able to still pay $55 for another year if you know this hack.

Effective June 1, Costco is raising its membership fee to $60 a year for either a Gold Star and Business membership, up from $55.

The premium membership — called the Executive membership — will be $120, up from $110. The benefit of an Executive membership is that it gives you 2 percent cash-back on everything you buy at Costco.

But here's something you may not know: You can renew your membership up to 60 days in advance of your actual renewal anniversary, a Costco representative told Team Clark during a phone conversation.

So if your renewal anniversary is between June 1 and July 31, then you can renew in April or May and still pay the $55 price for another year ($120 for Executive members).

To read the full story, go to Clark.com.

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