Costco Connection - February 2008

inside costco

It’s
rebate
time
What will you get with
your Costco American
Express rebate?

GOOD NEWS IS in the mail this month for Costco members with American Express cash-rebate cards. Included in February’s billing statement is the annual rebate coupon—a nice reward for purchases made inside and outside Costco during the previous year.

The rebates are awarded to Costco members with Costco American Express Platinum Cards or the TrueEarnings^® Card from Costco and American Express^®. They’re cash back for purchases at Costco and at all the other places that take American Express Cards. The rebate coupons are part of the last page of the February billing statement. (See below for even better rebates, by switching to the TrueEarnings Card with the new cash-back-on-gas-pur-chases rebate.)

So, what will you get with your rebate? For some ideas, consider testimonials submitted last year by Costco members. Ideas range from getting a special treat for yourself and your family to helping out in the community.

Some samples:

STEVE HOLDERMAN

“I bought a Samsung flat-screen TV for my bedroom. Now I get to enjoy peace and quiet, watching my favorite shows on my television, while the kids are downstairs watching the shows they enjoy. I’m already looking forward to our rebate check for next year.”—Nancy Wiggins

the rain didn’t dampen the good time.”

—Bob Potter

“We went to Maui and stopped at Costco before going to our condo. We bought food and wine for our vacation with the rebate check. We were able to splurge because of our extra bonus. I can’t understand why everyone does not take advantage of the TrueEarnings rebate.”

—Pattie Langsdale

“One of the folks I work with sends care packages to his soldier pen pal in Iraq. The troops requested the small snack-size chocolate candy bars, beef jerky, toothbrushes, baby wipes, cookies, etc. I figured my TrueEarnings was ‘found money,’ and who better to spend it on than the soldiers fighting in the hot desert. So I made the trip to Costco.”

—Lorraine Malsbury

“We had a graduation in the family and the rebate went to getting food and beverages. It was a humdinger of a celebration. Even

Of course, it’s up to you to decide how to spend your rebate. But keep one important note in mind: This year’s coupon expires on August 31, 2008. So make sure you find yours in your February American Express statement—then put it to good use. C

New rebates hit the gas!

THE TRUEEARNINGS Card from Costco and American Express are different from the Costco American Express Platinum Card, which offers a tiered rebate. The newer card’s rebate structure is as simple as 3-2-1, offering 3 percent cash back on dining out, 2 percent cash back on traveling expenses and 1 percent cash back on eligible purchases everywhere else, including at Costco.

And, beginning this month, members with the newer cards begin receiving 3 percent cash back on gas purchases! These

include gas purchases from Costco gas stations and stand-alone stations (such as Chevron or Shell stations that are not part of a retail or grocery chain).

Switching your Costco American Express Platinum Card to a TrueEarnings Card—or applying for one of these new cards—is easy. If you’re simply switching, just call the 1-800 number on the back of your current card. If you’re applying for a new card, go to costco.

com, enter “American Express” in the Search box, then click on “Apply now and earn true cash back.” You can also apply for a card at your local warehouse by visiting the membership desk.

With the TrueEarnings Card, you earn cash back everywhere, whether you’re dining, traveling, shopping or gassing up. There is no cap on rebates: The more you spend, the more you earn back! C