Some Costo members view shopping at the warehouse giant as a pleasure rather than a chore. It isn't only about the eye-watering bargains. It's also the free samples, the food court, and the treasure-hunt feel that comes with every visit. Put simply, some people can maximize their Costco rewards, making their membership fee more than worth it.
That said, paying the annual membership fee doesn't make sense for everybody. Particularly if you don't have a large household, own a car, or live near a Costco warehouse. Plus, Costco's membership fees will go up slightly soon. Starting in September, the annual basic (Gold Star) membership fee will be $65 and Executive membership will cost $130 annually.
Here are four ways to shop at Costco without paying the membership fee.
1. Use Costco gift cards
If you have a friend or family member with a Costco membership, ask them to buy you a Costco Shop card. Only members can buy them. Be sure to pay upfront or repay the cost so the person helping you isn't left out of pocket. Cards come in $25, $50, $100, $250, or $500 denominations and are available online or in stores.
Costco Shop cards are like a golden entry ticket to Costco. And the gift card doesn't have to cover everything in your shopping cart. If you have a $25 card and you spend $150, that's OK. Give the card to the cashier, they'll enter it into the system, and deduct the card value. You then pay the balance -- though be aware that you may have to use a debit card or cash. One shopper quoted in Taste of Home reported that she couldn't use her credit card alongside a gift card.
2. Go with a Costco member
Costco members are allowed to take up to two guests with them when they shop. This can be a simple way to skip the annual fee, though there are a few caveats:
- You need to coordinate shopping times with your Costco member friend.
- Only the member can pay at checkout, so you'll need to transfer the money for your purchases to them.
I live alone and don't drive, so an annual membership fee does not make sense for me. However, I do go once or twice a year with a friend who has a membership. We make a fun event out of it -- especially our pre-Christmas trip in December. I pay for the post-shopping hot dogs and snacks as a small thank you.
3. Shop Costco online
You can shop at Costco online without a membership, but it will cost you more. Not only does it mean you don't get the benefits of in-store discounts, but there's also a 5% surcharge for non-members to use Costco.com.
If you shop via Instacart or Uber, you'll pay an even higher premium. Analysis from Business Insider showed non-members pay about 30% more on Instacart than members who shop in store. Let's say you spend $150 on Costco via Instacart. The same shopping trip might cost you $45 more than a member would pay when they visited a warehouse.
4. Use Costco for prescriptions and eye exams
Some Costco services, such as prescription drugs in the pharmacy, are available to non-members. Non-members can get prescriptions filled online or in-store throughout the country. Costco came out ahead of many other pharmacies price-wise in a Consumer Reports investigation a few years ago.
Non-members can get eye exams at Costco's optical centers, too. However, you will need to be a member if you want to get the best value by buying glasses or contacts.
Finally, in some parts of the country, you can buy alcohol at Costco without a membership. In some states, including California and New York, it is illegal for stores to require people to be members to be able to buy alcohol.
Do the membership math
I've become quite militant about avoiding annual subscription and membership fees recently. However, some memberships really do pay for themselves. In addition to the day-to-day value Costco offers on expenses like gas and groceries, skipping the annual fee means you miss out on certain cost benefits.
Here are a few things to consider:
- Some of the best Costco credit cards pay 2% or 3% in rewards. As a non-member, if you shop with a Costco Shop card or visit a store with a friend, you won't get those credit card points.
- If you're shopping online, that 5% surcharge can quickly add up. If you spend more than $1,300 a year (about $110 a month) as a non-member on Costco.com, the $65 annual fee would pay for itself.
- If you shop via Instacart, Business Insider's calculations show you pay a 30% premium. As such, just $216 in shopping that way would make getting a membership worthwhile.
As a non-member, there are several ways to benefit from Costco's great prices, especially if you have Costco member friends. But it's worth doing the math. You might find paying the membership fee actually makes the most sense.
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FAQs
You can shop at Costco online without a membership, but it will cost you more. Not only does it mean you don't get the benefits of in-store discounts, but there's also a 5% surcharge for non-members to use Costco.com. If you shop via Instacart or Uber, you'll pay an even higher premium.
Can I shop Costco without a membership? ›
And if you don't have a membership, you're not out of luck. If you're given a Costco Shop Card, which is Costco's version of a gift card, you'll be allowed to enter the store and shop there to your heart's content. Usually, you're asked to show a membership card at the door when you approach a Costco store.
Can Costco refuse membership? ›
Costco reserves the right to treat businesses with the same or similar addresses or with identical, similar or related ownership as a single business and as such, limited to a single membership. Costco reserves the right to refuse, decline, or cancel a membership at any time.
In what states do you not need a Costco membership? ›
The full list of states includes:
- Arizona.
- California.
- Colorado.
- Connecticut.
- Delaware.
- Hawaii.
- Indiana.
- Kentucky.
Costco has more stores across the globe, is expanding rapidly, and generally offers cheaper prices than Sam's Club does, although the latter charges slightly less for membership, has a bigger presence in the U.S., and stocks more name brands.
How to get a free Costco membership? ›
Does Costco offer free or discounted memberships? Costco doesn't offer free or discounted memberships, but rest assured that the cost of membership can be recovered quickly thanks to massive price savings once you start shopping. Not to mention th...
Can I borrow my friends Costco card? ›
The Costco membership card is non-transferable, but there are several ways to share the experience with family and friends. Anyone with a card can bring up to two guests to the Warehouse during each visit. Keep in mind that purchasing items is exclusive to Costco members.
Why would Costco deny membership? ›
Costco notes on its website that it has a "right to refuse membership to any applicant, and membership may be terminated at Costco's discretion and without cause." But in general, excessive return rates are a common culprit, as are disruptive or illegal acts such as shoplifting, committing fraud, or aggressive or ...
Can Costco flag you for too many returns? ›
Costco is really good about issuing refunds for unwanted purchases. Making an exceptionally large number of returns could cause your membership to be revoked, especially if your returns themselves aren't reasonable.
Can you pay with someone else's card at Costco? ›
Costco membership is non-transferrable. This means only you can use your membership card. Each membership comes with two cards, so you can add one member of your household. Otherwise, you're allowed up to two guests while you shop -- but a member must pay at checkout.
"Effective April 8, 2024, an active Costco membership card will be required to purchase items from our food court. You can join today.
Can you buy glasses at Costco without a membership? ›
Yes, you need to be a member to purchase glasses or contacts at Costco Optical centers. However, you do not need to be a member to make an appointment with our in-house optometrist. For more information, visit our dedicated optical site here. Or, locate your local optical center at a Costco warehouse location near you.
Can I give a Costco shop card to a non member? ›
Yes. You can forward the Digital Costco Shop Card email to another individual for use, including non-members.
Is Kirkland owned by Costco? ›
Kirkland Signature
This label, familiar to Costco shoppers, is actually the company's house brand and a Costco subsidiary. It produces dozens of products under the Kirkland Signature brand name, including groceries and packaged food items.
Can I use a Costco card at Sam's Club? ›
A membership card from Costco cannot be used at Sam's Club, and a membership from Sam's Club cannot be used at Costco. Each warehouse club requires its own membership to shop there.
Can you get a trial Costco membership? ›
No, Costco does not offer a free trial for new memberships. However, they do have a generous return policy, so you can cancel your membership at any time for a full refund. This gives you a risk-free way to try out Costco and see if it is right for you.
Can a tourist shop at Costco? ›
You can actually shop in Costco without a Costco membership card, depending on how you are shopping and what you are buying. By law, you can go in and buy any prescription drug -- you don't need a card. If you are buying alcohol in California, Hawaii, or several other states, you also do not need a membership card.
Can I just go to Costco and get a membership? ›
How do I sign up to join Costco and get a new membership? We're always happy to hear from enthusiastic new customers. Signing up is a simple process. You can visit our membership desk at any warehouse to join in person.
Can you get a temporary Costco card? ›
But if you are a legitimate Costco member who shows up without your card, you do have one method of recourse. "If the member doesn't have their card, they just need to swing by the membership desk with ID and we print them either a temporary card or a brand new card," the employee from Minnesota told Business Insider.
How much is a Costco card? ›
Costco membership is $60* a year. An Executive Membership is an additional $60* upgrade fee per year. Each includes a free Household Card. Please include sales tax in all applicable states.
