Gift cards are one of my favorite Costco finds because they can make something you were already going to buy cost a little less. And you do not have to give them away. Skincare, a new pair of leggings, pizza night—that counts, too.
My favorites to look for are Ulta Beauty, Gap/Athleta, and Lou Malnati’s.
Check Costco.com, too: some gift cards are only available online. The Ulta and Gap bundles linked below are marked “Online Only.” That describes where you buy the cards; both can be redeemed with the brands in stores or online.
Ulta Beauty: for beauty favorites you already buy
The Ulta card makes sense if you have makeup, skincare, or hair products you regularly replace. It is also an easy gift for someone who would much rather choose their own lipstick shade.
Costco’s listed bundle includes four $50 eGift Cards plus one $40 bonus eGift Card—$240 in total value. The cards arrive through email and work for products and services at U.S. Ulta Beauty stores and on Ulta.com. Costco says to expect five individual eGift Card emails, so keep track of all five.
Check the Ulta Beauty gift card offer at Costco.
Gap/Athleta: one card with more options
The useful detail here is that the Gap Inc. gift card works at Gap, Athleta, Old Navy, and Banana Republic, including their outlet and factory stores and brand websites. You are not limited to Gap just because its name is on the listing.
That makes this a flexible pick for clothes you already have on your list, whether that is Athleta leggings or everyday basics at Old Navy.
The Costco online listing I checked contains five $100 eGift Cards, for $500 total value. That is a sizable bundle, so compare the selling price with the card value and make sure it fits your actual shopping plans. Check the terms of any promotion you hope to use with it; Costco notes that some offers may be excluded.
Check the Gap/Athleta gift card offer at Costco.
Lou Malnati’s: for pizza night
A gift card that helps cover dinner is very easy to appreciate. Lou Malnati’s is my pizza-night pick, and it would make a fun gift for someone with a Lou’s nearby.
Look for this one at your local Costco, but check before making a special trip. A warehouse inventory tracker lists a two-$50-card pack; that is not a guarantee of current stock or pricing at your store.
Before buying, read the card’s redemption terms for the location and ordering method you plan to use. Do not assume a restaurant gift card also covers third-party delivery or nationwide pizza shipping.
Before you buy
- Check online and in the warehouse. The selection can differ, and some bundles are online-only.
- Compare what you pay with what you get. Bundle sizes, prices, and availability can change.
- Have a use in mind. A discount is useful when it covers something you already wanted.
- Read the return terms. Costco marks the linked Ulta and Gap bundles non-refundable.
My rule: buy the gift card for the purchase you already planned. Then enjoy having paid a little less for it.