Many households enjoy the benefits of shopping at warehouse clubs, such as saving money by buying in bulk. However, the membership fee can be prohibitive if you’re on a budget. Some shoppers may want to take advantage of Costco’s benefits without the cost of membership dues. Others just want to see what they’re getting for their money before they commit to joining. So, if you’re wondering if Costco offers a free one-day guest pass to check out the store before signing up, here’s what you need to know.
Does Costco Offer Free One-Day Guest Passes?
The simple answer is no. Costco doesn’t offer guest passes to their warehouse stores.
Although non-members can access services from the Costco pharmacy and optical centers, you must be a member to shop at their warehouses. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t go. There are still a few other ways to purchase Costco products without paying the annual fee.
Alternatives to a Costco Free One-Day Guest Pass
Although Costco doesn’t offer a one-day guest pass, there are a few workarounds. Let’s take a look at a few ways you can access these discounts when you don’t have a membership.
1. Online Shopping
While you need a membership to shop in-store, you can still place orders online through Costco.com and Instacart. Keep in mind that some items are member-only exclusives. Additionally, online prices may be slightly higher or comparable to other retailers.
However, non-members will still have access to thousands of Costco products through these sites. Without a membership though, you will pay a 5% surcharge on your order. So if you plan to shop there frequently, it may be worth getting your own membership.
Some Kirkland Signature products are also available on Amazon. However, keep in mind that the prices may be marked up significantly.
2. Go With a Member
Another option is to go shopping with someone who has a membership. Costco’s policy allows its members to bring up to two guests with them to its warehouses. The only hitch is that members must pay for the purchases at checkout.
This works well if you have a good relationship with the member. Then, you can divide the goods and split the costs of the purchase later. However, it can be difficult to coordinate schedules since Costco locations have more restrictive shopping hours than other grocery retailers.
3. Buy Costco Gift Cards
Since Costco no longer offers the free one-day guest pass, you can also purchase gift cards to get non-members in the door. The Shop Card allows you the same opportunity to shop at Costco as its members. When you enter the store, simply show the card and they will let you pass as if it were a membership card. Plus, you don’t have to pay the membership fee or online surcharges. These cards work at Costco gas stations as well.
The only drawback is that you must be a member to purchase a Shop Card. Furthermore, they must buy a minimum value of $25. But if you have a friend or family member with a Costco membership, you could ask them to pick one up the next time they go. Otherwise, you can always suggest these the next time they ask you for gift ideas.
The other, less direct way to get a Shop Card is to buy one through an online marketplace. If you don’t know anyone with a membership, you can check Amazon or eBay to buy them yourself. The other bonus is that you aren’t restricted to minimum values. Even if the card only has a few dollars on it, it will still gain you entrance. The catch here is you can only buy as much as your gift card will allow. If you go over, you might be able to pay cash for the balance.
4. Take Advantage of Savings on Alcohol
According to Tasting Table, Costco and other warehouse clubs must allow non-members to purchase alcohol in certain states. In Texas, for example, stores like Costco are granted public liquor licenses. So it would be against Texas state law for Costco stores to bar the general public from buying alcohol there.
You may be able to use this workaround to save money on alcohol at Costco if you live in one of the 14 states below:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New York
- Texas
- Vermont
When you get to Costco’s entrance, you can inform the greeter that you’re there to purchase alcohol. Tasting Table says you should be given a temporary membership number so you can buy the wine or beer you came for. However, you won’t be able to use this workaround to hit up the food court or pick up groceries without a membership. But it’s worth trying this shopping strategy to save money on alcohol for your next party. Getting a quick peek inside of your local Costco may also help you decide if you want a membership or not.
Keep in mind that this money-saving hack may have other limitations depending on where you live. In some states, you may only be able to purchase wine and beer, not hard liquor. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the laws in your state before you head to Costco. You may also want to call ahead to confirm that you’ll be allowed inside so you don’t waste a trip.
5. The Refund Policy
Official Costco Return Policy: Accessed 2/22/2024, Costco.com
While I don’t recommend this route, you can technically get a Costco membership without paying. The way this works is to use their refund policy. At any point in your membership, you can get your Costco membership refunded. It’s an interesting policy that seems ripe for abuse. However, Costco will allow you to cancel for a full refund at any time while it is active. So, if you just want to grab a few things, you could purchase and cancel your membership on the same day.
If you want to stretch it as much as possible, you can even cancel on the very last day of your membership. Morally, this is a very gray area. Nonetheless, it is an alternative to paying full price for a membership.
Shop Around at Other Stores
If don’t have a Costco membership, there are also other warehouse stores with great prices. You could always ask around and see if you have a friend with a membership to Sam’s Club or BJ’s Wholesale Club. While Costco is the industry leader in the warehouse retailing space, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s “better.”
In fact, in 2018 Business Insider evaluated both Sam’s Club and Costco and found their layout and prices were comparable (here). Some things have changed since the pandemic, but you can expect similar prices and products from all its competitors. So, you might not need to get a free one-day pass from Costco if you have other options.
If other warehouse stores aren’t an option, you can still score savings by shopping at discount grocers like Aldi. In 2023, a price analysis showed that Aldi had better prices than Costco on several grocery staples, including milk, peanut butter, and hot dog buns. Shopping around, comparing prices, and taking advantage of loss leaders can help you save on groceries even without a warehouse club membership.
Is It Worth Getting a Costco Membership?
In the end, this is a question only you can answer. If you have a large family, buy in bulk, enjoy their exclusive products, or take advantage of other member benefits, it would be well worth the cost. However, if you don’t visit frequently or live near a Costco location, it may not be beneficial for you.
The only way to know for sure is to visit the store yourself or purchase the membership and try it for a year. If the price is your greatest concern, you could also share a membership and split the annual fee. Costco allows shoppers with Gold Star memberships (both regular and Executive) to add one free household member to their account.
The member you add must be over 16 years of age and live at the same address as you, but they don’t have to be related to you. So for example, you could add your roommate to your account and share the cost of the membership. This is a good compromise that saves you money while still gaining access to all the Costco products and discounts. But even if you can’t split your annual fee, as long as you use your membership, the savings will far outweigh the cost.
How much has your Costco membership saved you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Jenny Smedra is an avid world traveler, ESL teacher, former archaeologist, and freelance writer. Choosing a life abroad had strengthened her commitment to finding ways to bring people together across language and cultural barriers. While most of her time is dedicated to either working with children, she also enjoys good friends, good food, and new adventures.
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