Costco offers significant savings on a variety of gift cards, often selling them for 10% to 30% below face value, providing an additional benefit to members, especially those with Executive memberships who also receive 2% cash back on purchases. While Sam's Club also offers discounted gift cards, the debate between Costco and Sam's Club membership often comes down to individual preference and specific benefits, such as early access shopping which Costco no longer offers but is still available at Sam's Club. Additionally, Costco's store layout and lack of signage are designed to encourage more spending by making customers walk through more aisles, a strategy viewed by some as manipulative. With inflation impacting consumer spending, gift cards have become increasingly popular, with 63% of consumers planning to buy them this holiday season. Integrating gift cards into loyalty programs is seen as a key strategy for retailers to enhance customer engagement and drive sales.