The Great Costco Rewards Quest: Where's the Money, Honey? (It's on Your Phone, Probably)
Ah, Costco. The land of bulk bargains, free samples that leave you questioning lunch plans, and enough toilet paper to survive the zombie apocalypse (or a particularly rough cold season). But amidst the mountains of paper towels and industrial-sized bottles of ketchup, a mystery lurks: where are my dang Costco rewards?
Fear not, fellow treasure hunter! While Costco might not have a map leading to a buried chest overflowing with cash (although wouldn't that be amazing?), unearthing your rewards is actually pretty darn easy. And guess what? You don't even need a spork (though it is a handy multi-tool for Costco adventures). All you need is your trusty smartphone and this handy guide.
The Chosen App: It's Not the Hot Dog App (Although That Would Be Awesome)
There are many apps vying for space on your phone these days, but for this quest, you'll need the official Costco app. Yes, the one you downloaded solely to see if that giant teddy bear was still in stock (it wasn't, but you did score a six-pack of protein bars for the price of a gallon of milk, so win?).
Once you've launched the app and signed in (because who wants to wander the aisles aimlessly muttering their login information?), navigate to the section titled "Account" (it usually looks like a little person icon). This is where the magic happens.
Side Quest: Executive Members Only!
If you're the proud owner of an Executive Membership (because who doesn't love 2% back on everything from rotisserie chickens to kayaks?), you might see a glorious button labeled "2% Rewards". Click on that bad boy, and behold! A breakdown of your reward earnings awaits, like a glistening treasure chest overflowing with...well, not exactly gold, but definitely savings.
But Officer, There's Nothing There!
Don't despair, adventurer! If you're a regular member or the "2% Rewards" button is playing hide-and-seek, fret not. Costco doesn't display your rewards balance in the app itself. Instead, they send out reward certificates periodically via email. So, you might need to check your inbox (or spam folder, because emails love to vacation there sometimes) for those little nuggets of Costco gold.
Pro Tip: Don't let those certificates gather dust! They have expiration dates, so make sure to redeem them on your next shopping trip. Just show the email or a printout at checkout, and watch the cashier transform your phone into a magical device that dispenses discounts (almost as cool as a lightsaber spork, right?).
There you have it, intrepid Costco shopper! The mystery of the missing rewards is solved. Now you can focus on the real challenge: resisting the urge to buy a whole rotisserie chicken...because you totally bought one last week. But hey, that's the beauty of Costco, right? Happy shopping, and may your rewards be plentiful!
