Supermarket memberships: Are they a saving grace or a budget buster?
11 Feb 2026
Grocery prices are a major pain point for many households right now. While supermarket membership programs from Coles, Woolworths, and Costco promise to claw back some of those costs, the real question is: do they actually pay off? Here’s how to figure out if a paid subscription will actually save you money or just add another unnecessary fee to your budget.
Coles Plus: For weekend delivery fans
Cost: $19 a month
Free trial: One month
The perks:
- Free delivery on orders over $50 (normally between $2 and $15). Note: remote areas are excluded.
- Earn two Flybuys points per $1 spent at Coles (online and in-store) and in-store at Liquorland (normally one point per $1 spent).
- 10 points per dollar spent for online liquor purchases at Coles and Liquorland (normally one point per dollar spent).
- Free ‘click and collect rapid’ on orders over $30 (normally $5).
- Member exclusive free products, offers and promotions.
The strategy: The $19 monthly fee is the highest of the supermarket membership fee of the bunch, so you need to be a frequent shopper to make it work. Since weekend delivery can cost up to $11 per shop, using the service twice a month on a Saturday or Sunday instantly covers your costs. Using it weekly is where you’ll find the most value.
The verdict: If you usually spend over $250 per shop, you already qualify for free delivery at Coles, making this membership less valuable. It is best suited for households that rely on smaller, frequent deliveries—particularly on weekends—or those who do their liquor shopping online and can take advantage of the bonus points.
Woolworths Delivery Unlimited: For high-frequency shoppers
Cost: $15 a month or $119 a year
Free trial: 30 days
The perks:
- Free delivery: Available on same-day or next-day Woolworths orders of $75 or more (saving you $5 to $15 per shop).
- Discounted ‘delivery now’: Pay a flat $10 for rapid deliveries over $75 (normally $15).
The strategy: To see a return on your $15 monthly fee, you only need to place two standard orders a month. For example, if you typically spend $125 per shop and choose a next-day window, you’d usually pay $12 for delivery. Doing this twice monthly means the membership pays for itself, with $9 left in your pocket.
It pays to look at the costs and consider your shopping behaviour to work out whether it’s worth it for you.
Expert tip: Look out for surcharges. Woolworths introduced a $2 fee for click and collect and delivery orders placed on Sundays and public holidays.
Woolworths Everyday Extra: The 10% hack for big monthly shops
Cost: $7 a month or $70 a year
Free trial: 30 days
The perks:
- 10% off one shop monthly: Max saving of $50 (on a $500 shop).
- Double points: Earn two Everyday Rewards points per $1 spent at Woolworths and Big W. Subscriber-only freebies and offers in your inbox and app.
The strategy: As long as you apply your 10% discount to a shop worth $70 or more you’ll recoup the $7 monthly fee. To maximise value, save that 10% discount for your biggest monthly shop.
Costco membership: For bulk-buy shoppers
Cost: $65 a year (Gold Star) or $130 a year (Executive)
Free trial: Not available (but membership is refundable if you’re not happy)
The perks:
- Warehouse access: Shop at any Costco location worldwide for bulk groceries, fuel, and consumer goods.
- 2% cashback: Executive members earn a 2% reward on most purchases (capped at $1,000 annually).
- Exclusive services: Access to the Costco tyre centre, optical department, and hearing aid clinic.
- Member-only deals: Extra discounts on everything from bulk toilet paper to electronics and whitegoods.
The verdict: Costco is a winner for large families with plenty of pantry space and those who live close to a warehouse. However, if you’re a household of one or two, or you’re prone to ‘shiny toy syndrome’ (buying a giant kayak you didn’t need), the membership could end up costing you more in unplanned spending.
Bonus tip: Factor in the fuel. Costco’s petrol stations are often significantly cheaper than the major chains. For many members, the savings at the pump alone pay for the annual membership.
5 ways to ensure you’re actually saving
- Use free trails: Make a note of how much you save during that period to see if paying for a membership is worth it for you.
- Consider your shopping habits: If you don’t regularly shop for groceries online, you won’t benefit from free delivery perks.
- Don’t chase points: Check the math on bonus offers. If you’re spending more just to unlock a discount, the “saving” isn’t real. Only spend what you normally would.
- Review regularly: Check you’re still getting value from your membership and it’s not costing you more than it’s worth.
- Understand the perks: Read the fine print to ensure you’re using every benefit. If you’re paying for a membership but forgetting to use your monthly discount or bonus points, you’re essentially leaving money on the table.
This article was reviewed by our Consumer Editor Meagan Lawrence before it was updated, as part of our fact-checking process.
