This post was written just a month shy of 3 years ago, it’s been one of the most popular posts on TFF still getting daily visits! I’ve heard mixed reviews from readers (as you can see in the comments) about whether or not it worked for them, is still working, etc. However just this weekend a reader named Celeste left a comment saying that Costco verifys that you CAN use a Costco Gift Card to shop their store WITHOUT a membership! Are you ready for this? Head on over to their website and see it for yourself…
Costco has created another convenient way for members to pay for their purchases: The Costco Cash card.
You must be a Costco member to purchase or reload Costco Cash Cards. Members and non-members may use the cash cards to shop at any Costco location in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and online at Costco.com or on Costco.ca. Costco Cash balances may be used toward membership or merchandise.
Here’s the original post I wrote back on April 28th, 2010:
I had heard this from many people so I decided to go into Costco yesterday to verify it, sure enough it’s true! I asked at the customer service desk if this was true and the lady said absolutely and began to tell me the ins & outs. It was verified by several people behind the counter as she asked them for a few specific details.
Here is how you do it:
Purchase a Costco Cash Card (gift card) at the Customer Service desk, must be a minimum of $25.00. Use that gift card as your “member’s card” to get into the store. Shop as you normally would. When you go to pay, you pay first with your gift card but any remaining balance must be paid with cash or debit (no American Express). That’s it! You’ve just shopped at Costco for free and saved the $50 a year membership fees. Of course you don’t get the Costco Member benefits, cheap gas, etc but your items are still protected under Costco’s very generous return policy.
UPDATE: It’s been brought to my attention that you must be a Costco member to purchase a cash card, but the rest of the shopping trip remains the same. So give a friend or family member some cash and you’re set! You could consider asking them to purchase (4) $25 cash cards to use on separate shopping trips. Then buy them lunch for being so kind.
ANOTHER UPDATE: This is exactly why I love my readers! Reading through the comments I’ve learned that you CAN buy gas with a cash card and you can also purchase liquor and use the pharmacy to fill prescriptions, all without a membership! You DO NOT need any type of card to enter the store if you’re using the pharmacy or purchasing liquor, it’s prohibited by law to require membership for those services.
Our family DOES have a membership and this is why we bought one. With that said you need to know how to use it wisely. Here are a few of my most recent Costco shopping tips and tricks posts:
- This OR That? The Ketchup Edition.
- Tips for Saving Money by Buying BULK Canned Foods at Costco
- My Costco Kid’s Lunchbox Snack Ideas – $0.25 or less per serving!
- (Updated List!) Items I would NEVER buy at Costco…
- (Updated List!) Items I WILL buy at Costco…
- How to find Clearance items at Costco
Have you tried this? I’d love to hear your experiences!
george June 17, 2012 at 12:22 am
I agree with Paul.
It’s just plain stupid to pay a corporation for the privilege of giving them your money.
Support the local farmers and small mom and pop businesses that made America great. These greedy corporations are thriving because of stupid Americans that don’t truly care about the country or the people. Support people, not corporations. Save your silly membership fee and use that money locally.
michelle June 17, 2012 at 10:01 am
They should take the membership fee out. This is why i dont go or sign up
Lovina rodriguez October 13, 2012 at 8:55 am
I agree , I used to be a member in Cosco but its been expired because I don’t go there all the time so I didn’t renewed my card. One time I went there and I bought a gift card to use it because I don’t want to spend fifty dollars to renew my membership for just thirty dollars amount what I want from there, the supervisor name Marco was so rude and loud telling me by the register that I cannot buy a gift card and used it( embarrassede the hell out me) I know they have policy but , these people should learned a respect and a costumer service as well, very bad experienced from there employee I hope the management inBridgewater cosco will check their employee once while for their costumer service.
Lovina rodriguez October 13, 2012 at 11:49 am
I agree , I used to be a member in Cosco but its been expired because I don’t go there all the time so I didn’t renew my card. One time I went there and I bought a gift card to use it because I don’t want to spend fifty dollars to renew my membership for just thirty dollars amount what I want from there, the supervisor name Marco was so rude and loud telling me by the register that I cannot buy a gift card and used it( embarrassed the hell out of me) I know they have policy but , these people should learned a respect and a costumer service as well, very bad experienced from their employee I hope the management inBridgeWater Cosco will check their employee once while for their costumer service.
marie-claire August 3, 2012 at 9:38 am
I agree that:
1. it simply is not cheaper at Costco, even when you are buying in bulk..
2. Why would a company make you pay to shop in their store, most stores would pay you to shop there.
3. If you buy from them online, ask a friend for their membership number then go ahead and make your purchase in your name, using your own credit card and your own address. Shows they really don’t care, the membership is just a marketing tool, to make customers feel they are privilidged.
I have a friend who would go there to look around, she would walk in near a man who was going in by himself….saying married people usually walk in apart from each other anyways, so they looked like they were a couple.
JulieDB September 10, 2012 at 11:22 pm
You can shop online without a membership. You will pay a slightly higher price. I think 5% more. You can use a credit card like Visa which you can not use in the store. The only credit card they take there is American Express.
If you do get the gold membership, you will get a percentage back in the form of a check. We buy enough there that it pays for us to do this. We get it all back plus a little more.
Anonymous February 18, 2013 at 6:27 pm
Please explain the details of what you say
About getting it all back and how much
$ do you spend? Thank you
Mona August 7, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Just got back from Costco empty handed..Ran in to buy a $5 cooked chicken after work. Waited on line because they never have an express checkout ( at least in the Marlboro,NJ store), to be told that my membership expired 1 week ago. In order to get the chicken I would have to renew for $55 on the spot. I asked if I could renew next time and was told NO..Even paying taxes in NJ has a 10 day grace period! I have been trying to decide if Costco is important when it is just 2 people in household now..Picked up large blueberries afew weeks ago and they were awful..Well thanks Costco for making my decision for me! Terrible customer appreciation…
joe February 5, 2013 at 1:55 am
Its a year membership. Not a year and “whenever I want to pay again” membership. If that’s the reason you dont like costco then you have no respect for any business big OR small. You CAN return food and anything else including memberships 364 days of a full year. (gold /executive) and get your money back. That includes keeping your rewards check from Exec Membership. Wich you can cash out. That’s part of them taking care of thier members. 100% satisfaction garanteed.
Dona August 18, 2012 at 1:58 pm
I purchased a Costco membership once and never renewed it! There is not much worth paying a large corporation for the priveledge of shopping there. I believe we all stop paying these large corporations for this “so called” privelidge”. They are not out there to help struggling families make ends meet by offering high priced bulk items. Some people think that becuase it is COSTCO, it must be inexpensive: compare prices and you will see that they are not offering a discount that you are paying for.
Whitney August 20, 2012 at 8:36 am
People pay the membership fee because unlike most stores that can mark their products up to 35% above wholesale, costco can only mark theirs up 14%. So you are only paying 14% more then they paid for it. The membership fee is also to help with the overhead associated with them. Costco employees are union employees and paid well.
sam November 30, 2012 at 11:15 am
Where does that 14% # come from?
Alex February 20, 2013 at 8:46 pm
It’s Costco’s corporate policy.
WendyB September 19, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Hugely helpful, as I often have relatives and friends who want me to add them to my membership, which costs $$$. Thanks!
Eddie September 29, 2012 at 12:42 pm
This is not correct at all. I was excited when I learned about it but most locations will not and are not allowed to give cash cards to Non-Members. Only members can purchase them as apparently a membership is required to begin Any transaction.
ANNA November 27, 2012 at 9:03 pm
I love Costco! Yes definately some things you might as well not buy from Costco and you can find a better deal at somewhere else. However, I live in Southern California so the stores here DO NOT double coupons and some stores LIMIT the number to 5 like coupons in one trip. Gift cards to the movies, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Jamba Juice, are always available and are 20% off regular price. I gain my membership dues back alone in just those. Also, they have an awesome store return policy. You can return just about anything, anytime! You don’t need to keep your receipt, they just look it up by your mbrshp #.
Teresa January 7, 2013 at 8:25 pm
Some of he comments above are just not true. We save a bundle at Costco. Having an exc membership (cost $100) we get at least $300 back in a rebate check every spring. Some of the things are the same, in bigger bulk. Some are Kirkland brand, which is store brand. But the Kirkland items are premium items, better than you can get at the reg stores. Produce isn’t really saving$, but you again get high quality. We never plan a Costco trip without planning time take care of the food when we return home, such as rewrapping meat in dinner size portions and freezing for each meal. Along with other items
Bella January 24, 2013 at 2:01 pm
Costco has great saving all the time especially when combined with the clip out coupons they have or the instant rebates. You just have to buy at the right time when the item is the lowest possible price. For example i bought a brita pitcher which is regularly priced at 37.99 (Target) , i saw it at costco for 27.99 but when i actually went to buy it the next week it was 19.99
awesome saving ! As for the membership fee it pays for it self if you go often. what i do is i split the cost of the membership with my sister so we each are able to go with our families and only pay 27.50$
Samantha February 4, 2013 at 2:14 pm
I tried doing that with my mom and the last two times we’ve been told it’s no longer allowed, I MUST have a membership! Doesn’t help that the two cashiers that continually say this are the ones I almost always try to avoid! (I think most people have those at select stores!) I may have to look into the cash card thing and see if I can just give my mom money to buy some. Think of it as “gifting”! Maybe :-/
Michael March 4, 2013 at 8:03 pm
What she means is to have one of them be the primary and have the other get the 2nd card, not go in at the same time and share and split the membership that way. Then her family goes anytime they want and her sister’s family goes. I did this with my brother-in-law.
Alex February 20, 2013 at 8:44 pm
I love Costco. I don’t mind the membership fee because it keeps out all the riff-raff with attitudes like the sulky people commenting on here. It’s like paying for a gym more expensive than 24-hour fitness. The equipment is the same, but the clientele is not. Worth every penny. Plus, alcohol, olive oil and batteries by themselves more than pay for the membership.
Anon May 14, 2013 at 10:09 pm
So true, Alex!
RT February 21, 2013 at 8:07 pm
You CAN purchase Costco gas with an American Express credit card – no membership needed. They also allow some ‘DEBIT’ cards (the ones you have to use with PINS), but not sure which ones – without a Costco membership. No cash accepted, at least at my NJ one.
Bharri March 13, 2013 at 8:30 pm
I have Costco cash card with me with a very little balance.I am not a member.Can I still purchase at Costco and pay the rest with my debit card or cash?
Teresa March 14, 2013 at 10:23 am
Is this really true about just using gift cards w/ no membership? According to their website giftcards are $25 increments. Plus I just called a store in IL and they laughed when I asked this question.
Celeste March 30, 2013 at 4:16 pm
Cash cards can be used without a membership, says so on their website: http://www.costco.com/.product.10024438.html
Stephanie April 1, 2013 at 2:27 pm
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Costco! I don’t mind paying the membership fee. I get my monies worth between clothes, books, sunscreen, sunwear that is much cheaper there and food. As a former Costco employee spouse, they do take care of their employees and families. Employees work hard and are rewarded for it as it shows most times in the overall happyvibe there.
Susan April 1, 2013 at 10:30 pm
My son sent me a Costco gift card so I could purchase over the counter medication. My local Costco (Sample and Powerline in Pompano Beach) would not allow me to use it. I had to send it back to my son in Calif and he made the purchase and shipped it to me! So I beg to differ and please check your local store before investing in a gift card.
Misty April 2, 2013 at 7:49 am
I would of went to the manager, it’s clear on their own website that a non member can use the card (Just a member has to fill it) it also does not say that it’s based by store, so the store would of had to accept the card. Sounds like an employee was not properly trained about these cards IMO.
Tamara April 2, 2013 at 11:26 am
I don’t buy a ton of items at Cost-Co, but the ones I do I typically buy when they rotate onto the coupon book with the special savings…and I don’t believe if you’re shopping with a cash/gift card you would get those special prices. At least that is what my parents have told me, because they shop with Gift Cards purchased by myself or my sister since they don’t buy enough annual to justify a membership.
Debbie April 2, 2013 at 1:01 pm
I have been a Costco member for years. I have an executive membership and use their American Express card for ALL purchases at establishments taking AE, including travel, educational costs for my daughter’s college expenses, gas for both cars, and my work related costs including continuing education courses and professional membership costs. I get back 1% on all purchases, 2% on restaurant and travel expenses, and 3% on gas. PLUS the 2% cash back on the executive membership. Not only do I get back the $100.00 annual fee in my executive membership rebate, but I get a VERY substantial amount in cash back from the AE account. Just think for a minute……Most executive cards have an annual fee and offer the same type of rebate. With Costco you get the benefit of the rebate plus the savings of the items they sell. This year I got $536.00 back with the card alone, then got a rebate check for $103.00 ( 2% back for the executive membership purchases). I have a friend who purchased medical equipment for his office using the Costco AE card. He got back over $12,000. Another friend paid for his daughter’s college tuition and other expenses and got a fat rebate check as well. Of course, these 2 examples were people with awesome credit and the means to have a higher credit limit, but it certainly pays for itself if used appropriately. It amazes me to see people walk up with their checks and they have to call management to go to the safe or cut a check for the bank. That means they have such a high rebate, they don’t keep that kind of cash in the drawer!! Tip: Take the checks to the Costco membership desk and ask for the cash. Do NOT put it on a Costco cash card. You want to take advantage of every purchase made at Costco with your AE card so you get the cash back the following year. Most people make the mistake of having them put the rebate on a Costco cash card and don’t realize they can cash out the check. I look forward every year to getting those rebate checks! This year, I put my youngest daughter on my account with her Social security number and specific instructions on its use. (Must be 18 years old) I get her rebate and I can check her purchases on line to keep her in check. She is building her credit with this card as well. And for the people who don’t think purchasing a membership is worth it, awesome! Stay out. You’ll only clog the isles even more. LOL all the way to the bank.
Raj April 4, 2013 at 12:40 pm
Think before taking a membership at costco or bj or samsclub. buy the card only if it can be shared by atleast 8 members/families and every member gets all benefits(like gas,rental car insurance,tire and lube, flu shot…). these cards are meant for small businesses who need to buy bulk quantities and not for a family. You cannot be mindful while buying things at these places, they are tempting and make you buy a lot. you will end up eating and drinking more.
Robert April 6, 2013 at 8:52 am
If you have a family member or friend that would like to buy gas at Costco, you can buy them a gift card. The gas attendant at my local Costco said that they can use the card there but must ask the attendant to swipe their employee card first before using the gift card. That way, you don’t have to “loan” out your membership card to others.
Check your local Costco to see if they also do this the next time you purchase gas.
Karen April 26, 2013 at 5:55 am
Debbie – how do you view your store purchase on line?
Anonymous April 28, 2013 at 10:25 pm
This company is the best for returns….years after you purchase it and they barely ask you any questions regarding your returns……which you make 2 percent cash back on your executive membership if you are too CHEAP to buy it. You can actually make money shopping there with this upgraded membership which pays for your membership and you can receive even more money on top of the FREE membership you just got with the difference. Costco will fight for you to have a lower price than anyone and stop carrying the product untill it gets the price lowered again so these monopolies and oligopolies don’t take advantage of us consumers. Stop being sooooo cheap peeps!
MikeW May 18, 2013 at 10:12 pm
I have been a Costco member for a long time. Over twenty years. I find the service ok. There are policies that are really annoying. Like making a primary card holder the only one able to cash a rebate check. Rude staff members. Pushy staff asking for Amex card signups and upgrading cards to Executive memember levels.
Like everything you have to know your prices.
The membership fees keeps a lot of control on thief so it keeps costs lower for the chain and the members.
Not perfect, but acceptable.