I don’t think the cash back feature is that unique, though. As an example, Fidelity’s Visa card gives you 2% cash back on everything, directly into your account. Plus, it has the features Citi is pulling like car rental insurance and lost baggage protection, etc.
My USAA CC gives 2.5% on everything. Will send you a check whenever you want it. No points, funny money or anything else. I do have to have a direct deposit or auto transfer of at least $1000/month into a usaa checking acct but that’s not a big deal.
@HImom , Do you know the name of that USAA cc? Thanks!
Never mind. It looks like it is no longer available.
I actually really like that Costco does not open for many holidays, such as 4th of July, thanksgiving and Christmas, and its hours of operation are more humane too. Sam’s club could never compete with Costco in terms of employee benefits, thus happiness and loyalty.
I go to Sam’s more for convenience and Costco for a greater variety of items. Sam’s offers 5% reward for gas purchases (4% at Costco) and the line is always short in comparison to Costco. In fact, it’s rare that I’d even have to wait in line at the Sam’s gas station. It’s also extremely convenient to be able to check items out using the Sam’s app on my smartphone. Once, they’ve actually offered $10 just for using the app that I’ve already been happily using.
I go to Costco for things that Sam’s doesn’t carry, particularly those items that I consume on a regular basis: Tofu and 50 lbs Sun West Calrose rice. I also prefer the fresher seafood and meat at Costco. They also have better electronic, appliance and other products. I get a plenty of the year-end rebates from both to pay for the membership fees. Between the two, just shopping for their regular discount items saves me quite a bit.
I hope this new Citibank reduction in benefits will not be followed by other banks doing the same. Ugh,
I checked with citi and the changes to the costco card will be limited to price rewind and travel interruption protection, so the other benefits remain as before, I will be watching though. The Costco voice sure might have some heft but I have little doubt most Costco CC holders are not paying interest and using all those nice benefits that obviously costs citi too much. and it is just a matter of time.
“I actually really like that Costco does not open for many holidays, such as 4th of July, thanksgiving and Christmas, and its hours of operation are more humane too. Sam’s club could never compete with Costco in terms of employee benefits, thus happiness and loyalty.” ~ makemesmart
Sam’s Club is closed on New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Sam’s and Costco have identical hours Sunday through Friday, 10-8:30.
Sam’s is open until 8:30 on Saturday, Costco closes at 6.
Gee, can you believe those inhumane slavedrivers at Sam’s would keep their club open another few hours on Saturday - to allow paying members some extra time to shop?! Staying open to the ungodly hour of 8:30 PM?!
Shocking, I tell you, shocking!
“I go to Costco for things that Sam’s doesn’t carry, particularly those items that I consume on a regular basis: Tofu and 50 lbs Sun West Calrose rice.” ~ TiggerDad.
My Sam’s sells 50 and 25 pound bags of Calrose rice. It also sells organic tofu.
I’m not sure most people realize that many retail workers WANT the extra hours- especially with mandatory holiday pay in some states. There are people without families who have NO problem working on some of the days we all think people should “be with their families”. They want the $$$$.
I hope this new Citibank reduction in benefits will not be followed by other banks doing the same. Ugh,
I think the biggest difference in hours is Sam’s has ‘business hours’ from 7:30 am to 10 am. That’s a big difference for those who like to shop early.
@Defensor
Although I live in an area with a relatively high Asian population, neither of two Sam’s Clubs carries tofu and Calrose rice. I’m sure the stores in CA carry these but not here. Strange and unfortunate.
So tell me about buying appliances through Costco, in this case a refrigerator. How does delivery and installation work? Removal of old fridge?
@Tiggerdad - have you looked to see if you can order it on line ? Looks like they ship 25 lbs (!!) of calrose rice.
In our area, delivery was done by a contractor. Got a call, got a delivery window, waited for them to show up, old appliance was taken away and new one was hooked in. Similar to how Lowes used to deliver here and how some furniture stores do their delivery/removal of old mattresses. You can probably call your local store and find out about details.
Which brand refrigerator are you looking at, @doschicos?
Yeah, I’ll give them a call. Just wish they had the details on the website like Lowe’s, Best Buy, Home Depot, et al.
The fridge I am looking at is a Whirlpool. I have very limited options give the space constraints. I wish fridges were more uniform like dishwashers. I really wanted to go for a french door style but they all appear to be an inch or two too tall for my space.
We have access the GE friends & family discount, and they have fridges that are 68.1-70” as well as a second group listed as 70” and above. The french door fridges look like they are 69 7/8”. Does that work?
The bottom freezer model is 67 7/8”