There are so many great reasons to join Costco’s elite membership. But some might not be sold on it yet. What if you just want to try it out for a day? Is there a Costco guest pass? Keep reading to learn about what you can do as a non-member.
Costco is also filled with savings, from monthly coupon books to hidden deals around the stores, like .97 deals. To keep track of all these savings and learn how to use your membership to the max, check back here at Costco97 where we break down Costco’s hidden features and deals.
Subscribe to our newsletter for more exclusive Coscto97 content.
Related: How Much Is a Costco Membership?
Does Costco Have a Guest Pass?
A year-long membership for $60 to $120 might not be worth it for some, so is there a Costco guest pass?
Unfortunately, Costco does not offer any sort of free pass, day pass, or guest pass. Some locations allow you to walk around without a membership. While you can’t make a purchase, this helps you experience what the store has to offer. Be sure to call your local store ahead of time to see if they participate in this option.
Does Costco offer a trial pass? No, they also do not provide a trial pass, trial membership, or trial period for non-members. A cash card is the closest thing Costco has to a guest pass. This allows a non-member to shop at Costco, but only members can purchase them. Keep reading to learn more.
My Friend Has a Membership, Can I Go With Them?
Yes! One perk about a membership is that you can show the wholesale store off to friends and family.
The Costco Guest Policy states that “anyone with a card can bring up to two guests during each visit.” This is a great way to check out the store and all it offers without purchasing a membership. You can even buy a few items using your friends or family’s card if they’re willing.
What About a Costco Cash Card?
Costco’s cash card, or Shop Card, is just a fancy name for a gift card and allows non-members to shop at Costco. Cash cards can be used at all Costco locations and online, at gas stations, and food courts, and can be used on select vacations through Costco Travel. There is no expiration date but there is a purchase limit of $10,000 a day whether in person, online, or both.
Since only members can purchase shop cards, they must be gifted to non-members. Members can purchase this card and upload between $25 to $500 on the card. Once the shop card is used, you can have a member reload it for future visits.
Read more: Is a Costco Membership Worth It?
Can You Shop at Costco Without a Membership?
There are a few Costco perks you can access even if you’re not a member. See below for the full breakdown.
Pharmacy
The pharmacy is one place that does not require you to have a membership. Not only can you pick up prescriptions and other medicine, but you can stop in for a check-up as well. To learn more about Costco’s pharmacy, check out our complete guide here.
Optical
To schedule an appointment at Costco optical centers for their in-house optometrist, you don’t need a membership. You do need a membership to order glasses or contacts at their optical centers, though. This gives you the benefit of keeping up to date with your prescription, but then you’ll be in charge of ordering your glasses somewhere else.
Alcohol
Surprisingly, there are select stores that allow you to shop for alcohol without being a member. Please note that not all Costco locations carry alcohol, and this limitation is based on state laws. For a bit more information on this, check out our recent article here.
Online Shopping
If you don’t mind a 5% surcharge, you can purchase online at Costco without a membership. The additional charge is to help Costco stay at these extremely low prices, as they only can do this thanks to their membership subscriptions.
You can also participate in same-day delivery thanks to Insacart when ordering online. Prices on Instacart are higher than in the Costco warehouse, however, so you’re still dealing with a higher charge than if you were a member.
Costco Membership Fee Refund
If you don’t like to commit to memberships, you don’t necessarily have to thanks to the shopping options Costco offers. However, if you do join and are not satisfied with your Costco membership, don’t worry! According to Costco’s return policy, you can cancel and receive a refund for your membership fee at any time.
Costco prides itself on keeping its customers satisfied. As a result, Costco offers several flexible policies whether you’re a member or not. Be sure to reach out to your local Costco for more membership details.