12 Costco Membership Rules You May Not Know
The retail giant is affordable but has very strict rules.
Everybody loves Costco for its amazing deals, unique finds, favorite foods, and gift ideas, not to mention household items and groceries at great prices. With everything from bacon to sofas and TVs to breakfast cereals, it’s one-stop shopping at its finest. (And don't even get us started on the food court!).
But did you know the company is strict about many of its membership rules? That way, they can keep costs down and passing the savings on to you.
No matter what you need from a year’s worth of laundry detergent and paper towels to snack foods and party supplies, Costco has you covered. And we admit: Sometimes it’s fun just to browse the aisles to see what’s new and trending in store.
But to get the most out of your annual membership, it pays to know all the rules that make this shopping experience worthwhile. Here are the top Costco membership rules you didn't know:
Costco has a risk-free 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.
If you decide a membership isn’t right for you, or you purchase an item you don’t love, Costco will refund your money.
There are limited exceptions; for example, items such as airline tickets and live performance event tickets are not included in this guarantee. For big ticket items, such as TVs and appliances, you’ll have 90 days for a return.
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You can get a free household card for one other person in your home.
You can always bring along two guests, though you’re the one who has to make the purchase. But if you’re the primary member, you can assign the free household card to one other person in your home.
They take their membership cards seriously.
In order to keep down fraud, Costco is serious about the member having a card with a “recognizable, unobstructed full face view” to be valid. If your card doesn’t have a photo, you’ll need to show a passport or another U.S.-issued photo ID to verify it’s you.
Costco doesn’t accept coupons.
Sorry if you love couponing because it’s not an option here. Costco doesn’t accept coupons because they already provide the lowest prices they can offer.
You should pay attention to when you renew your membership.
Memberships renewed within 2 months after your card’s expiration will be extended for 12 months from the expiration date (that means, if you didn’t shop during those two months, you’ve essentially lost them). But if you renew more than 2 months after expiration, the card is renewed from the renewal date.
You can buy wine and spirits at many Costco stores.
Many—though not all— Costco stores offer wine and spirits at amazing prices. Local regulations in states such as Pennsylvania prohibit these sales, but in the rest of the country, you can score some pretty awesome deals on wine and spirits.
You can return items you purchased online in the store.
There’s no need to spend money on expensive return shipping fees!
They only accept VISA cards for credit card transactions.
It’s fine to use cash, check, or mobile payment such as Apple Pay at Costco. But the only credit card they accept currently is VISA.
Non-members can shop online.
Some merchandise can be purchased online by members or non-members. But non-members will pay 5 percent more.
Costco includes plenty of perks for online appliance purchases.
If you’re in the market for a new fridge or dishwasher, it’s worth checking out the online store’s selection. Many things that cost extra at other retailers, such as delivery, installation, and haul away for the old appliance, are included when you buy online.
You can get a price adjustment if a price drops.
Although Costco doesn’t price match with other retailers or Costco.com, if you notice an item you bought has a price drop within 30 days of purchase, you can get a price adjustment.
Pets should be left at home.
Although some stores have been relaxing the rules in recent years—and you’ll often see pets in many big box retailers—you should leave your pet at home when you go to Costco. Unless you have a service animal, your pet isn’t permitted in Costco warehouses unless required by law.
Arricca Elin SanSone is a writer, editor, and content creator who specializes in lifestyle and gardening. With a background in health reporting, she applies these same research skills when writing about the science of growing things. She trials new plants in her expansive garden, and her houseplant collection consists of 60+ varieties. Arricca has written thousands of articles for publications such as Country Living, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, VERANDA, Southern Living, and more. She’s happiest when digging in the dirt, baking, or spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
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