Blog · Buyer's Guide
How to get the Costco Rivian discount in 2026.
Rivian joined the Costco Auto Program in February 2026. Members can now save $1,000–$5,000 on R1T and R1S configurations. Here's the exact step-by-step process to claim your discount — and how to stack it with everything else still available in 2026.
By Rick · Verified Rivian R1S Owner · Morrison, Colorado
10 min read · Last updated August 2026
The Quick Answer
- Costco Rivian discount range: $1,000–$5,000 off MSRP on R1T and R1S configurations, with no price cap
- Eligibility: Active Costco membership required — standard Gold Star qualifies, Executive is not required
- How to claim: Log into costcoauto.com, generate your Rivian certificate, present it at Rivian order placement
- Stacks with: Rivian Rewards referral code, Colorado state credit (vehicles at or below $80,000 only), Xcel charger rebate
- No longer available: the federal EV credit (expired Sept 30, 2025) and the federal home charger credit (expired June 30, 2026)
What changed in February 2026
For years, the Costco Auto Program had been off-limits to Rivian buyers. Costco's program works through dealer networks — and Rivian doesn't have dealers. The result was confusion: Rivian showed up in Costco searches, but there was no actual discount available. That changed in February 2026.
Rivian officially joined the Costco Auto Program, becoming one of the very few direct-to-consumer manufacturers in the program. The discount is delivered as a member-only price reduction applied to your order — not negotiated at a dealer, but locked in through Costco's pre-arranged pricing structure with Rivian directly.
The timing matters. The federal Clean Vehicle Credit expired on September 30, 2025, taking the $7,500 federal incentive and the lease loophole off the table for new 2026 buyers. The federal home charger credit followed on June 30, 2026. The Costco discount partially fills that gap — not at the same scale, but it is now the largest incentive most Rivian buyers can actually claim, and it has no MSRP cap. Combine it with the referral code and, if you qualify, state-level programs.
How much you can save by configuration
Costco's discount on Rivian scales with vehicle MSRP. Lower-priced configurations see $1,000–$2,000 in savings; higher-priced trims like the Tri Max and Quad Max configurations have shown $3,000–$5,000 in reported discounts.
| Configuration | Typical reported discount |
|---|---|
| R1T Dual Standard | $1,000–$1,500 |
| R1T Dual Large | $1,000–$2,000 |
| R1T Dual Max | $1,500–$3,000 |
| R1T Tri Max | $3,000–$5,000 |
| R1T Quad Max | $3,000–$5,000 |
| R1S Dual Large | $1,000–$2,000 |
| R1S Dual Max | $1,500–$3,000 |
| R1S Tri Max | $3,000–$5,000 |
| R1S Quad Max | $3,000–$5,000 |
Ranges compiled from owner reports and reflect standard Gold Star membership. Actual offer varies by location, time of purchase, and active promotions. Executive membership has been reported to yield a slightly higher base incentive on some configurations, but the Rivian-specific savings are broadly similar — the R1S Dual-Motor Standard was discontinued in March 2026, so the R1S line now starts at the Dual Large. Verify on costcoauto.com with your Costco member number before configuring.
Step-by-step: how to claim your Costco Rivian discount
Step 1 — Confirm your Costco membership is active
You need an active Costco membership to claim the Rivian discount. Standard Gold Star membership qualifies — Executive is not required. Some buyers report a modestly higher incentive on certain configurations with Executive, but the difference is not large or consistent enough to justify upgrading solely for this. Sign up or check your status at costco.com/membership.
Step 2 — Visit costcoauto.com and search for Rivian
Log into costcoauto.com with your Costco member number. Search for Rivian in the manufacturer dropdown or browse by EV vehicles. Select either R1T or R1S depending on your target model. R2 is expected to be added to the Costco program, but confirm availability at time of order.
Step 3 — Generate your member certificate
The Costco Auto Program will generate a member-specific offer or pricing certificate tied to your Costco account. This certificate contains the discount amount and your verification details. Save it — you'll need it at the order step. Some Costco-generated offers are emailed to your registered Costco email; check your inbox if it doesn't appear on screen.
Step 4 — Configure your Rivian
You have two paths here. Path A: configure your Rivian directly on rivian.com — pick trim, battery, paint, interior, wheels, options. Use referral code RICK4348389 at checkout to claim Rewards points plus 3 months of Adventure Network charging. Path B: configure through the Costco-linked Rivian flow if available. Either way, the Costco discount and referral code can typically both be applied (more on stacking below). Most buyers configure on rivian.com first because the Rivian configuration experience is better.
Step 5 — Present your certificate at order placement
When you finalize your order with a Rivian advisor (either in-person at a Rivian Space, by phone, or through the configuration flow), present your Costco certificate or member number. The advisor will apply the discount as a line item on your order summary. Important: verify the discount appears on your order summary before signing. If anything looks off, ask the advisor to walk through it line by line.
Step 6 — Verify at delivery and confirm stacking
At delivery, your final paperwork should show the Costco discount applied to the vehicle's purchase price. Your referral code rewards — points and the 3-month charging credit — post to your Rivian Rewards account within about two weeks of taking delivery, not at order placement. If either is missing or incorrect, contact Rivian customer support with your order number, Costco certificate details, and the referral code you used. Don't sign delivery paperwork that doesn't reflect what was promised.
How to stack the Costco discount with everything else
The Costco discount reduces your vehicle's purchase price as a line item. The other programs that remain available in 2026 work differently — they're tax treatments, utility rebates, or Rivian Rewards points. Because they operate on different mechanisms, they generally stack with the Costco discount. Here's the full picture, including what no longer applies.
| Incentive | Amount | Stacks with Costco? | How it's delivered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco Auto Program discount | $1,000–$5,000 | — (this is the discount) | Price reduction at order |
| Rivian Rewards Referral Code (RICK4348389) | $100–$500 in points by configuration, + 3 months charging | Yes, in most cases — confirm in writing | Account credits ~2 weeks after delivery |
| Colorado state EV tax credit | $750 — vehicles at or below $80,000 MSRP only | Yes — separate program | State tax filing or dealer assignment |
| Xcel Energy charger rebate (CO residents) | $500–$1,300 | Yes — separate program | Utility rebate after installation |
| Section 179 + bonus depreciation | Varies — business use over 50% | Yes — reduces your basis | Federal tax filing (IRS Form 4562) |
| Federal residential charger credit (30C) | $0 — expired June 30, 2026 | N/A — no longer available | N/A |
| Federal Clean Vehicle Credit | $0 — expired Sept 30, 2025 | N/A — no longer exists | N/A |
Rivian's published Rewards terms state that rewards may not be combined with other offers unless expressly authorized. In practice, the Costco discount and referral code have been combinable for most buyers, but get it confirmed in writing by your Rivian advisor before signing. If forced to choose, keep the Costco discount — typically the larger dollar value.
Real example: what a Colorado R1S buyer actually gets
R1S Dual-Motor Large Pack, purchased in Colorado (2026)
- MSRP: $83,990
- Costco Auto Program discount: approximately $1,000–$2,000
- Rivian Rewards Referral Code RICK4348389: 250 points (~$250) + 3 months Adventure Network charging
- Xcel Energy Level 2 charger rebate: $500–$1,300
- Colorado state EV tax credit: $0 — the $83,990 MSRP exceeds Colorado's $80,000 cap
- Federal home charger credit (30C): $0 — expired June 30, 2026
- Federal Clean Vehicle Credit: $0 — expired September 30, 2025
Total stacked savings: approximately $1,750–$3,550
This is the part most guides get wrong. Every R1S trim sits above Colorado's $80,000 MSRP ceiling, so the $750 state credit contributes nothing to an R1S purchase — no matter how it's financed. The R1T Premium qualifies at its base price, but a single factory option pushes it over. See the Colorado eligibility table for the trim-by-trim breakdown.
Illustrative figures. Discount amounts vary by configuration and timing. Always verify with Rivian, the Colorado Department of Revenue, Costco, and Xcel before claiming. If you use the vehicle more than 50% for business, Section 179 and bonus depreciation are likely worth more than everything above combined.
5 mistakes buyers make claiming the Costco discount
1. Assuming the R1S qualifies for the Colorado state credit
It doesn't. Colorado caps its $750 Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit at $80,000 MSRP, and every R1S trim now starts above that. Budgeting for a credit you can't claim is the most expensive planning error a Colorado Rivian buyer can make. The Costco discount has no such cap, which is exactly why it matters more now.
2. Configuring on rivian.com without your Costco certificate in hand
You don't have to commit to a vehicle before you visit costcoauto.com — but you do need the certificate ready when you place your order with a Rivian advisor. Generate the certificate first, then configure.
3. Assuming the Costco discount appears automatically on your Rivian order
It doesn't. You must present the Costco certificate or member number to your Rivian advisor when placing the order. If you forget to mention it, the discount won't be applied — and Rivian may not retroactively apply it after the order is signed.
4.Not stacking the referral code because you didn't know you could
The Costco discount and the Rivian Rewards referral code are separate programs. You can generally claim both. Use code RICK4348389in your Rivian configuration before finalizing the order — and present your Costco certificate at order placement. The code must be attached before you submit; it can't be added afterward.
5. Trusting the first offer you see without verifying
Costco offers can vary based on location, current Rivian promotions, and timing. If you're flexible on delivery date, check costcoauto.com for Rivian offers at quarter-end (March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31) when manufacturer incentives often increase. The combination of a higher Costco discount and quarter-end Rivian incentives can add $1,000–$2,000 to your savings.
Ready to configure?
Use the referral code first, then present your Costco certificate at order. Both apply in most cases.
Configure with Code RICK4348389Frequently asked questions
How much can I really save with the Costco Rivian discount?
Discount amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000 off MSRP depending on the model and configuration. Lower-priced Dual-Motor configurations typically see $1,000 to $2,000 in savings. Tri and Quad configurations have shown $3,000 to $5,000 in reported discounts. The biggest discounts go to higher-MSRP configurations, where Rivian and Costco have more margin to share. Confirm your specific offer on costcoauto.com before configuring.
Do I need an Executive Costco membership to get the Rivian discount?
No. Standard Gold Star membership qualifies for the Rivian discount. Some buyers report a slightly higher base incentive on certain configurations with Executive membership, but the Rivian-specific savings are broadly similar across tiers. If you are already a member, your existing tier works — upgrading solely to chase a larger Rivian discount is not something the available evidence clearly supports.
Can I stack the Costco discount with the Rivian referral code?
In most cases, yes. The Costco discount reduces your vehicle's purchase price as a line item on the order. The referral code adds Rivian Rewards points and 3 months of free Adventure Network charging to your account — separate program, separate mechanism. Rivian's published Rewards terms state that rewards may not be combined with other offers unless expressly authorized, so get the stack confirmed in writing by your advisor before signing. If forced to choose, the Costco discount is typically the larger dollar value.
Does the Costco discount apply if I configure my Rivian on rivian.com directly?
Yes, but you must present the Costco certificate or member number to your Rivian advisor when placing the order. Configuring on rivian.com without invoking the Costco program means the discount is not automatically applied. The cleanest workflow: visit costcoauto.com first to generate your certificate, then configure on rivian.com using referral code RICK4348389, then present the Costco certificate to your advisor at order placement.
Does the Costco discount apply to the R2?
Not confirmed yet. R2 customer deliveries began in June 2026, and Costco has signaled the R2 will be included in the Auto Program, but specific discount amounts may not be finalized. Confirm with the Rivian representative at time of order. Note separately that R2 orders do not currently earn Rivian Rewards referral points — only R1T and R1S orders do — though points you have already earned can be spent toward an R2 purchase.
Will the Costco discount get bigger or smaller over time?
Discounts have tended to scale up at quarter-end. Costco discounts on Rivian have historically been larger during periods of strong Rivian manufacturer incentives, particularly at quarter-end when Rivian pushes inventory. The federal credit expiration in September 2025 has incentivized Rivian to lean more heavily on Costco and similar third-party programs to drive demand. Expect Costco-Rivian discounts to remain in the $1,000 to $5,000 range through 2026, with periodic uplift at quarter-end.