If you’ve never had a Costco Gold Star Membership (or had one expired at least 18 months ago), you can get a discount plus digital shop card.

You were probably going to sign up for a Costco membership eventually, but here's why now's the greatest time to do it. For a little while longer, new members get a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card* when they join online through StackSocial.

This shift has certainly stirred up some feelings, particularly among those who relied on the food court for a quick, inexpensive meal. Yet from Costco’s viewpoint, the message is straightforward: these exclusive benefits are intended for paying members only, end of story.