Is Costco Gas Better Than Sam’s? [A Quality Comparison]
Are you trying to decide between getting gas at Costco or Sam’s Club? Both warehouse clubs offer discounted gas prices to their members, but is one better than the other?
Is Costco gas better than sam’s? Let’s take a closer look at the benefits and drawbacks of each option.
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Is Costco Gas Better Quality Than Sam’s Club?
Costco and Sam’s Club both offer decent options. However, Costco has an edge over Sam’s Club when it comes to the quality of their gas.
Costco gasoline is certified as “Top Tier,” which means it has a higher quality than even the EPA requires.
Top Tier gasoline contains more detergent additives that help clean your engine and prevent buildup of harmful deposits.
According to a study by AAA, Top Tier gasoline can improve fuel economy and reduce emissions.
On the other hand, Sam’s Club gasoline meets all federal and state standards, but it is not certified as Top Tier.
This means that it may not have the same level of detergent additives as Costco’s gas, which could result in a buildup of harmful deposits in your engine over time.
It’s worth noting that both Costco and Sam’s Club sell gasoline that meets minimum federal and state standards, so you’re not going to damage your car by using either one.
However, if you want to keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently, it’s a good idea to choose Top Tier gasoline like the one sold at Costco.
In addition to the quality of gasoline, there are other factors to consider when deciding where to fill up. For example, Costco only sells Top Tier gasoline, while Sam’s Club offers both Top Tier and non-Top Tier options.
Are there any benefits to using Costco gas over Sam’s Club gas?
Both Costco and Sam’s Club offer good quality gas, but Costco’s gas is TOP TIER™ certified, which means it has more detergents and additives that help keep your engine clean.
On the other hand, Sam’s Club gas is not TOP TIER™ certified.
While this may not make a significant difference in the short term, over time, the extra detergents and additives in Costco’s gas may help keep your engine running smoothly and potentially save you money on repairs down the line.
Overall, if you are someone who uses a lot of gas and wants to save money in the long run, it may be worth it to get a Costco membership for their consistently lower gas prices and TOP TIER™ certified gas.
However, if you don’t use a lot of gas or don’t want to pay for a membership, Sam’s Club gas is still a good option.
Costco Gas vs. Sam’s Club Gas: Comparison
When it comes to buying gas, warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club can be a great option for saving money. Both retailers offer discounted gas prices to their members, but which one is better?
Let’s take a closer look at the price and fuel quality of Costco gas versus Sam’s Club gas.
#1. Price
One of the biggest draws of buying gas from a warehouse club is the discounted price. According to a study by ABC7 News, Costco gas averages $0.20 less per gallon than the national average cost for gasoline.
Sam’s Club also offers discounted gas prices to its members, but the exact savings can vary depending on location.
To get the most out of your warehouse club membership, it’s important to consider how often you fill up your tank.
For example, if you fill up your tank once a week, the savings from a warehouse club membership may be worth it. However, if you only fill up once a month, the savings may not be as significant.
#2. Fuel Quality
Another factor to consider when deciding between Costco gas and Sam’s Club gas is fuel quality. Both retailers offer Top Tier Gas, a better-quality formulation that helps maintain car engines.
However, Costco only sells Top Tier Gas, while Sam’s Club offers both Top Tier and non-Top Tier gas options.
It’s also important to note that some cars require premium fuel to run correctly and may suffer from performance issues running on anything less.
If your car requires premium fuel, it’s worth checking if your local warehouse club offers it and at what price.
Benefits of Costco Gas
If you’re wondering whether Costco gas is better than Sam’s Club, there are several benefits to choosing Costco for your fuel needs.
Here are a few reasons why Costco gas may be the better choice for you:
#1. Top Tier Certification
Costco gas is certified as Top Tier, which means it meets higher standards for fuel quality and performance.
This certification is important because it ensures that Costco fuel contains the necessary additives to keep your engine clean and running smoothly.
Using Top Tier certified gas can also help prevent engine deposits, reduce emissions, and improve fuel economy.
#2. Discounts and Rewards
In addition to its high-quality fuel, Costco also offers discounts and rewards to its members.
For example, if you have a Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, you can earn 4% cash back on eligible gas purchases at Costco and other gas stations (up to $7,000 per year, then 1% after that within the same year).
Costco also occasionally offers additional discounts on gas through its member-only deals and promotions.
Furthermore, Costco’s gas prices are often lower than those at other gas stations in the area, which can save you money in the long run.
Benefits of Sam’s Club Gas
If you are considering buying gas from Sam’s Club, there are several benefits that you can enjoy. Here are some of the benefits of buying gas from Sam’s Club:
#1. Instant Savings
Sam’s Club offers instant savings on gas purchases. If you are a Sam’s Club member, you can save up to 5 cents per gallon on gas purchases.
This means that you can save a significant amount of money on gas purchases over time. The instant savings are automatically applied at the pump when you use your Sam’s Club membership card to pay for your gas.
#2. Cashback Rewards
In addition to instant savings, Sam’s Club also offers cashback rewards on gas purchases. If you have a Sam’s Club Mastercard, you can earn up to 5% cashback on gas purchases.
The cashback rewards are automatically credited to your account and can be used to pay for future purchases at Sam’s Club.
Sam’s Club also offers other benefits, such as free flat tire repair, battery testing, and wiper blade installation. These benefits can help you save money on car maintenance and repairs.
Is Costco Gas Better Than Sam’s?: FAQs
Let’s go through some of the FAQs around Costco gas vs Sam’s
Is Costco gas worth the membership fee compared to Sam’s Club?
If you are someone who uses a lot of gas, it may be worth it to get a membership at either Costco or Sam’s Club to save money on gas. However, Costco is known to have consistently lower gas prices compared to Sam’s Club. So, if you use a lot of gas, the savings you get from Costco’s gas prices may outweigh the cost of the membership fee.
Is Costco fuel the same as Sam’s?
Costco and Sam’s Club are both membership-based warehouse retailers that offer fuel stations at many of their locations. While both companies offer gasoline and diesel fuel, there may be differences in the specific fuel quality and pricing between the two retailers.
