One of the trickiest parts about claiming a Costco price adjustment is remembering to ask for one in the first place. And if you're thinking, "I didn't even know I could ask for a price adjustment!" you're not alone.
While tracking down post-purchase price drops at Costco can be a hassle, but it's one of the smartest ways to maximize your warehouse savings. So when I heard about an app that could do the price tracking for me, I knew I had to investigate.
The Costco Companion app promises to help members claim money back on items that drop in price after purchase — without the need to track prices manually. As someone who takes pride in finding the best deals at Costco, I tested this feature of the app on my recent warehouse purchases (and it actually found me $3.50 in money back!). Here's my detailed review of how the Costco Companion app works, what to keep in mind, and whether it deserves a spot in your money-saving toolkit.
Speaking of apps, download The Krazy Coupon Lady app or text HACKS to 57299 for the latest money-saving tips, deals, and coupons.
How the Costco Companion App Works
The Costco Companion app (available for iOS or Android) acts as your personal price-tracking assistant. While not affiliated with Costco in any way, it's designed to identify price adjustments on items you've already purchased so that you can take steps to request your partial refund from Costco for the price difference. The process is straightforward:
Connect your Costco account or upload receipt photos.
Let the app monitor your recent purchases.
Receive notifications when prices drop.
Claim your refund from Costco within 30 days of your original purchase date.
According to the FAQ page within the Costco Companion app, they "track the vast majority of your purchased items, covering approximately 97% of all price adjustments."
There are a few additional features within the app (like a product discovery feature and a place to see recent spottings from Costco super fans), but the price adjustment tool is the main claim to fame since June 2024.
What to Know About the Costco Companion App
You can upload your receipts manually if you're hesitant about sharing your login credentials (like I was).
The app requires access to your purchase history, either through account linking or manual receipt uploads. If you're concerned about privacy, the manual upload option does provide a secure alternative, though it requires clear receipt screenshots.
Luckily, my own Costco receipt fit into one standard screenshot, but if you have a longer receipt, you'll have to take a longer, scrolling screenshot on your phone (which this Wired article explains how to do).
Your first $5 in savings is free, but after that, they charge a fee (starting at $0.99 per month).
The Costco Companion app is free to download, so I bet you're wondering, what's the catch?
Basically, the app will let you rack up savings of up to $5 in free Costco price adjustments before you hit a paywall. However, if you sign up through our KCL link, you'll get $10 in free price adjustments instead of the standard $5. After that, you’ll need to either sign up for their subscription plan — which costs either $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year — or opt to purchase Price Adjustment Credits (PACs), which they sell in packages of 5 ($0.99), 12 ($1.99), 35 ($4.99), or 80 ($9.99).
Each credit equals $1 in potential savings, while subscription users get unlimited savings potential without a cap.
While the price drop alerts are automated, the refunds from Costco aren't.
While the app automates price tracking, it's important to understand what it doesn't do:
You'll still need to claim refunds in person at the original warehouse.
Online purchases require a separate online form submission.
All claims must be completed within 30 days of purchase.
Manager markdowns and clearance items aren't included in the tracking.
Keep in mind that if your original Costco purchase was made in a warehouse, you'll have to return to that same warehouse to get your refund. If your original purchase was made online, you'll have to fill out an online form. (We go into way more detail about how to ask for a Costco price adjustments so you know what to expect.)
My Experience Testing the App
I downloaded the app in January 2025 before heading to Costco to film content for the KCL YouTube channel. When faced with the option to share my Costco login credentials, I opted for the more secure route of uploading a screenshot of my receipt manually.
The scanning process was impressively efficient, and I appreciate the app's active monitoring indicator — a blinking green light that shows it's checking for potential savings. The first two weeks of testing were pretty quiet (likely because the monthly sale was still active), with no price drops indicated for the items I bought.
But toward the end of my 30-day testing period, I finally did get an alert for a price drop on one item. The Scrub Mommy Variety Pack I bought for $15.99 in January went on sale for $12.49 in late February, and the Costco Companion app let me know I was eligible for a $3.50 price adjustment. Pretty helpful since I was not even aware that the product had gone on sale after I bought it!
So is the Costco Companion app worth it?
As someone who studies the Costco Coupon Book each month, I can confirm the savings potential is significant. Monthly Costco sales regularly offer substantial discounts, ranging from $3 off vitamin supplements to $400 off electronics. If you're a frequent Costco shopper, the Costco Companion app could fill a genuine need for tracking down savings that you might otherwise overlook.
It's ideal for members who do these things:
Shop at Costco frequently.
Purchase big-ticket items.
Value automated savings tools.
Plan purchases strategically around sales.
It may not be worth it if the following are true for you:
Visit Costco infrequently.
Prefer not to share shopping data.
Aren't likely to follow through on adjustment claims.
Given the free $10 credit offer if you sign up through our KCL link, it's worth downloading the app after your next Costco trip to see if it can uncover some hidden savings. The app found me $3.50 in money back that I otherwise would have missed, and that was just from one month of monitoring a single Costco receipt.
When combined with other strategic shopping practices — like understanding Costco price tag codes and tracking monthly sales patterns — it could be a valuable addition to your money-saving strategy.
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