There’s something about that red and white Costco card that makes people do crazy things. Maybe it’s the promise of $1.50 hot dogs or towers of toilet paper at amazing prices. Whatever the reason, some shoppers try to bend the membership rules – and end up losing their shopping privileges completely. Here’s what you absolutely need to know about keeping your Costco membership in good standing.
Never ever share your membership card with others
We’ve all been there – a friend asks to borrow your Costco card “just this once” to grab some party supplies. It seems harmless enough, right? Wrong. Sharing your membership card is one of the fastest ways to get your membership revoked. Costco takes this rule very seriously because it’s a key part of their membership model.
According to Costco’s official policy, memberships are absolutely non-transferable. This means your card is for your use only. The only exception is the free household card that comes with your membership, which must be for someone who lives at your same address and is over 16 years old.
If you’re caught letting someone else use your card, Costco can immediately terminate your membership. They have sophisticated systems in place to catch card-sharing, including photo verification at checkout. Even if the borrower is willing to pay you back for the membership fee, it’s not worth risking your own shopping privileges.
Some people try to get creative by sending photos of their cards to friends or making copies. These tricks aren’t new to Costco staff, and they’re trained to spot them. Remember, your membership includes valuable benefits like their return policy and warranty coverage – benefits you could lose permanently if caught breaking this rule.
Don’t ignore your membership expiration date
Many shoppers assume there’s a grace period after their membership expires. This is a dangerous assumption that could lead to an embarrassing situation at checkout. Once your membership expires, you can’t shop at Costco – period. There’s no 30-day window, no exceptions for “just one more shopping trip,” nothing.
The membership fees changed in September 2024, with Gold Star memberships now costing $65 annually. While this might tempt some to delay renewal, trying to shop with an expired card will only waste your time. The register system automatically flags expired memberships, and cashiers can’t override this.
Costco sends multiple renewal reminders before your expiration date. They even offer a two-month window before expiration where you can renew and still keep your original renewal date. This means you’re not losing any time by renewing early. Smart shoppers mark their calendars and renew before expiration to avoid any shopping interruptions.
If your card does expire, you’ll need to go to the membership counter to renew before you can start shopping again. This means standing in line and potentially missing out on that day’s deals or special items. Save yourself the hassle by staying on top of your renewal date.
Stop trying to sneak in non members
The entrance checkers at Costco aren’t just there to say hello. They’re specifically trained to prevent non-members from entering the store. Some people try to walk in with a group, hoping to blend in with legitimate members. Others attempt to enter through the exit or claim they’re “just looking around.” These tactics don’t work.
Each adult shopper needs their own membership card or must be the designated household member on someone else’s account. This rule applies even if you’re not planning to buy anything. The only exceptions are for pharmacy prescriptions and alcohol purchases in certain states due to legal requirements.
Trying to help non-members bypass these rules puts your own membership at risk. Costco employees are trained to watch for people attempting to shop for others or pass items to non-members after purchase. If caught, both parties could face membership termination.
There’s a simple solution if friends want to shop at Costco – they can get their own membership or become your household member if they qualify. With the savings Costco offers, the membership often pays for itself within a few shopping trips.
Make sure your photo matches your card
Your Costco membership card isn’t just a piece of plastic – it’s an ID card. That’s why the photo on your card needs to actually look like you. Some members keep using old cards where they look completely different, leading to delays and suspicion at checkout. This isn’t about vanity – it’s about security.
If you’ve significantly changed your appearance – whether through weight loss, aging, or style changes – it’s important to update your card photo. This service is free at any Costco membership counter. You don’t need an appointment, and it only takes a few minutes.
Cashiers are required to verify that the person using the card matches the photo. If they can’t make a positive match, they may ask for additional identification or require you to visit the membership counter. This can hold up the line and make your shopping trip take longer than necessary.
Some members try using cards with outdated photos, thinking it’s not a big deal. However, this can trigger fraud alerts in Costco’s system, especially if multiple unusual purchases occur. Keep your shopping experience smooth by maintaining an current photo on your card.
Don’t abuse the return policy
Costco’s generous return policy is legendary, but abusing it can get your membership canceled faster than you can say “rotisserie chicken.” While most returns are legitimate, some members try to take advantage of the system in ways that cross the line.
The company tracks return patterns and flags accounts that show suspicious behavior. This includes returning items after extensive use, repeatedly returning seasonal items after the season ends, or making unusually frequent returns without reasonable explanations.
Some examples of return abuse include buying a TV for the Super Bowl and returning it the next day, returning dead plants months after purchase, or trying to return empty containers claiming the product wasn’t satisfactory. These practices hurt all members because they increase costs that eventually affect prices.
Using the return policy responsibly means returning items that genuinely didn’t meet your expectations or were defective. If you’re unsure whether a return is appropriate, ask yourself if you’re being fair to the store and other members. Remember, maintaining return privileges is part of being a good member.
Keep your receipts and membership visible
Those receipt checkers at the exit aren’t trying to slow you down – they’re protecting your membership benefits. Some members try to wave off the checkers or rush past them, but this behavior can flag your account for review. Every item on your receipt needs to match what’s in your cart.
The receipt check serves multiple purposes. It ensures you weren’t overcharged, helps prevent inventory errors, and protects against theft. When members skip this step, it can trigger a review of their shopping privileges. Some stores even note which members regularly avoid receipt checks.
Your membership card should also be visible when requested. Some members get annoyed at showing their card at the entrance, checkout, and exit. However, these checks are part of maintaining Costco’s membership model and keeping prices low for everyone.
Remember that Costco employees checking receipts and cards are just doing their jobs. Being rude or refusing to cooperate can lead to notes on your membership account. Multiple incidents could result in a review of your membership status.
Follow the rules for business memberships
Business members get special privileges, but they come with specific rules. Some business members try to shop for personal use under their business account or let unauthorized employees use the card. These practices violate membership terms and can result in immediate termination.
According to Costco’s membership guidelines, business members must provide proper resale information and can only purchase items for business use or resale. Personal shopping should be done under a separate Gold Star membership.
While business members can add additional cardholders for $65 each, these must be legitimate employees or business partners. Adding friends or family who aren’t part of the business is prohibited. Costco regularly audits business accounts to ensure compliance.
The rewards structure for business memberships also differs from personal accounts. Mixing personal and business purchases can complicate your rewards tracking and potentially violate tax regulations. Keep your business shopping separate from personal use to maintain your membership in good standing.
Understand household member limitations
The rules about household members are strict and clear, yet some people try to bend them. Your free household card must go to someone living at your address who’s over 16 years old. You can’t give it to your cousin across town or your best friend in another state, no matter how close you are.
Costco’s system flags addresses with multiple memberships, and they investigate suspicious patterns. Some members try to claim temporary residents or frequent visitors as household members. This doesn’t work – the person must permanently reside at your address.
The primary member can change their household member at any time by visiting the membership counter. However, frequent changes might trigger a review of your account. Choose your household member carefully and make sure they understand the rules about card sharing.
Remember that the primary member is responsible for all purchases made on their account, including those by the household member. If your household member misuses the card or violates any rules, your entire membership could be at risk.
Handle membership changes properly
Moving, getting married, or changing jobs? These life changes need to be handled correctly to maintain your membership status. Some members forget to update their information or try to maintain old membership arrangements that no longer apply to their new situation.
Address changes should be reported promptly, especially since they affect your household member eligibility. If you move away from your household member, they’ll need to get their own membership. Similarly, if you change jobs, your business membership might need to be converted to a personal one.
Divorce or separation can complicate membership arrangements. The primary member retains control of the account, and the household member needs to establish their own membership if they want to continue shopping at Costco. Trying to maintain shared shopping privileges after a split violates membership rules.
When upgrading or downgrading your membership type, timing matters. Changes between Executive and Gold Star memberships should align with your renewal date to maximize benefits and avoid complications with reward calculations.
Pay attention to special purchase limits
Some members think purchase limits don’t apply to them or try to work around them by making multiple trips. This behavior can lead to membership reviews, especially during times of high demand or limited supply. Purchase limits exist to ensure fair access for all members.
Special items, sale products, and high-demand merchandise often have strict purchase limits. Trying to exceed these limits by making separate transactions or using different cards is against the rules. Costco’s system tracks purchase patterns and can flag accounts that attempt to circumvent these restrictions.
Business members sometimes assume the limits don’t apply to them, but unless specifically noted, purchase restrictions apply to all membership types. Even if you’re buying for a business, you need to respect these limitations or risk losing your shopping privileges.
During shortages or sales, some members try to coordinate with others to bypass limits. This organized attempt to work around purchase restrictions is a serious violation that can result in immediate membership termination. Respect the limits – they’re there for everyone’s benefit.
Following Costco’s membership rules isn’t just about keeping your shopping privileges – it’s about being part of a community that works because everyone plays by the same rules. The membership model allows Costco to offer amazing prices and quality products. When members try to game the system, it affects everyone. Keep your card in good standing by following these rules, and you’ll enjoy the benefits of Costco membership for years to come.
