We find the Costco Executive membership (AMEX card) well worth the price of the membership, I was skeptical at first, but we bought a tv the first year and the rebate paid for the membership, and more. Then we started using the card for everything, we put all of our purchases on it, gas, food, entertainment, vacations, utilities etc. even insurance and I have even been known to pay the real estate taxes with it. The only thing I haven't been able to figure out how to pay on it is the mortgage and believe me if I figure that out its going on there
too! You get a percentage back from AMEX and as an executive member of Costco you get a dividend back from Costco ( that one has to be redeemed at Costco).
DISCLAIMER: I don't advocate using credit cards anywhere, by anyone, unless you use them responsibly. The total balance of this card is auto-debited from our checking account each month. If we didn't have this done it would be far too easy for it to get out of control, since most of our monthly expenses are on the card the monthly balance is substantial. On the other hand we can track our monthly expenses rather easily tho there are a few places that don't take American Express. If you are folks who pay off your credit card debt monthly, then I highly recommend this card and if you are okay with auto pay for your living expenses, I also recommend this method.