New "Digital Costco Shop Card" cannot be used at the pump

[Cheburashka]

Heads-up for those who book cruises via Costco Travel. As of this year, they have begun issuing "Digital Costco Shop Cards" after travel, instead of the hard copy cards. These digital cards cannot be used to pay at the pump. If you book via Costco and mainly used the old shop card at the pump, you might want to keep this in mind.

ETA: I asked membership to turn the certificate into a hard copy shop card, and they did it (although it was obviously a new procedure for them). Let's hope they continue to be accommodating.

 

[cvjw]

We always book thru Costco. I have zero issues spending a digital shop card, but I am a huge Costco shopper. In your case, if you only use the card for gas, the digital one is a pain. Also, don’t forget about the 2% earned for travel if you are an executive member. It adds up quickly.

 

[tinkerone]

I don't find anything difficult about booking through Costco and love the gift card I get back. From our Feb. cruise (3 OV cabins) I received more than $1600 in digital gift cards, that's hard to beat. I have an upcoming cruise that was around the $2600 point (OV GYT) and am getting a $260 gift card. As @cvjw has said, as an executive member I'll get another 2%.
If I have to call Costco then it is more than likely I would also have to call DCL, it's just Costco doing it for me.
Also, I have bought gift cards with my digital gift cards. Not for the full amount though as I have never needed to do that.
JMO, everyone has different thoughts on it.

ETA--I just reread the post. Sounds like they had sent hard cards in the past. We have always just received digital GCs, I don't think I have ever had a regular card but I could just be forgetting as we didn't do any travel for the two years of Covid. Digital ever since for sure.

 

[Cheburashka]

don’t forget about the 2% earned for travel if you are an executive member. It adds up quickly.

That extra 2% for executive is something I'll keep in mind. Thanks for the reminder. I am executive because I get almost all of my gas there, and I drive a lot.

 

[Cheburashka]

ETA--I just reread the post. Sounds like they had sent hard cards in the past.

Yes, they used to mail a hard card. Originally it was a "Costco Cash Card" and you could even cash it in. Then a couple of years ago they changed it to a "Costco Shop Card" that could not be cashed in, but at least could be used to pay at the pump. Now it's a "Digital Costco Shop Card" that you can only use for store or online merchandise. The phone rep said this change occurred in November of last year. It's been a gradual reduction of value. They seem to be taking a page from Disney's playbook in that regard.

 

[gscott8075]

Gradual reduction in value?

Costco added travel to 2% Executive rewards - so it is a better value then ever. \

Use the Costco visa and its another 3%.

And the shop card is typically 8% of the cruise value.

They are returning 13% of the value of the cruise back to you.

It's a huge value!

 

[Disneypeach]

I too got the “digital“ card which I took to my Costco customer service desk and nicely asked if they would please put the money on a plastic card. They said sure and within 2 minutes I had my card to use at the gas pump.

 

[Cheburashka]

I too got the “digital“ card which I took to my Costco customer service desk and nicely asked if they would please put the money on a plastic card. They said sure and within 2 minutes I had my card to use at the gas pump.

Awesome! I hope my location does the same thing.

 

[Carohs]

It's not hard to find something to buy at Costco. It can be used for gift cards, appliances, home ware, food, alcohol. Surely you must find value in your membership other than gas?