5 Little-Known Perks of Costco Optical

Many people look to Costco to save money on expenses like groceries, cleaning supplies, and paper products. But if you're someone who wears glasses, then it could pay to make Costco your go-to source for eye exams and new lenses and frames. Here are some of the less-obvious benefits of using Costco Optical.

1. Costco Optical accepts most major vision insurance plans

You'll often hear that it's a good idea to buy your glasses at Costco or get your eyes checked there if you don't have insurance, because you might get to spare more cash for your savings account compared to going elsewhere. But you might spend even less with insurance, since Costco Optical participates with major carriers that include Avesis, VBA, and VSP.

Of course, it's always a good idea to call your insurer and check your coverage before getting your eyes examined through Costco and buying glasses there. Perhaps you can spend even less on a new pair of glasses by going to a preferred provider, so do that research ahead of time.

2. You can save big by purchasing multiple pairs of glasses

It's a good idea to have a spare pair of glasses, since you never know when yours might break or get horribly scratched up. When you buy multiple pairs of glasses for the same prescription, you'll automatically get $30 off additional pairs at Costco Optical.

At this point of the year, you may have an FSA balance you're trying to spend down. Buying a couple of pairs of glasses at Costco could be your ticket to using up your balance but not going over it. 

3. You can try on glasses without leaving the house

Buying glasses online can be tricky, since it's hard to know what a given frame will look like on your face. Costco has solved that by introducing a virtual try-on. You simply take a video of your face, and from there, you can see what different styles will look like on you so you can order your glasses online if you don't want to travel to a store.

4. Adjustments to glasses are always free -- even for glasses not purchased at Costco

You may reach a point where you need your eyeglasses adjusted, either because they're loosened or they didn't really fit right in the first place. Costco Optical will adjust your glasses for free -- whether you bought them at Costco or at another store. 

If you're thinking of taking advantage of Costco Optical's new virtual try-on, the limitation there is not being able to see how your new glasses will feel on your face. So if you find a pair that looks great but doesn't feel so great, just head in to Costco at your convenience for an adjustment.

5. You can get an eye exam even if you're not a member

For many people, a Costco membership makes sense. But if it doesn't pay for you, worry not -- you can still get your eyes examined at a nearby Costco and walk away with a prescription. However, only members can buy glasses.

When people think of Costco, the chain's optical center and services aren't necessarily the first things that come to mind. But it could pay to make Costco Optical your new source of glasses and vision exams for these benefits alone.