A recently-opened Costco in Albany has the lowest gas prices in all of New York according to data from Gasbuddy and the lowest among Costco stores in the entire United States. Regular unleaded was just $3.29 per gallon as of Thursday morning which is the lowest in the state. Premium gas at Costco pumps was listed at $4.02 per gallon.
Costco, which opened its first warehouse store in Albany on August 6, is embroiled in a price war with competing Sam’s Club in Latham and BJ’s Wholesale in Albany. Another BJ’s store opened in nearby Rotterdam in September. All three have been matching and lowering prices on gas for the past month to draw in more customers and new members. Sam’s Club had gas for $3.30 per gallon as of Thursday morning and BJ’s in Albany was $3.33 per gallon. These prices might change once you read this article.
The lower prices mean big savings for local drivers with average gas prices in New York at $4.48 per gallon according to AAA. You must be a member of the club in order to get the price. A regular Gold membership at Costco is $65 per year. Membership at Sam’s Club and BJ’s starts at $60 per year.
The club stores know that cheap gas is a big draw and can boost sales if customers buy stuff inside.
But the price war in Albany among the warehouse clubs is a bit unusual. The Albany Costco has the lowest gas price of all Costco stores in the U.S. according to the website Costco Gas Price Live. The $3.29 price in Albany is just below a Costco store in Fort Oglethorpe, GA which had gas at $3.39 per gallon as of Thursday.
