Costco may never touch the price of its $1.50 hot dog/soda combo at the food court or its $4.99 rotisserie chicken, but it is planning a price hike to membership fees. The popular warehouse chain is preparing to raise its membership fees for the first time in seven years.Costco shoppers will have to pay an additional $5 to $10 annually as the new fees, set to take effect Sept. 1, will boost the price of Costco’s basic Gold Star membership from $60 to $65 annually, while the cost for the premium Executive membership will rise from $120 to $130. The annual fee had remained the same since 2017.The price hike puts Costco membership at a premium price compared it its rivals, Massachusetts-based BJ’s Wholesale Club and Sam’s Club, which is owned by Walmart. BJ’s charges $55 a year for its basic Club Card membership and $110 a year for its Club+ Card membership. Sam’s Club, with a handful of locations scattered across New England, charges $50 a year for its basic club membership and $110 a year for its plus membership.

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