Who doesn't love Costco, especially during the holidays? Whether you're entertaining or shopping for gifts, you can find anything from rotisserie chicken to diamond engagement rings to tickets to Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Beyond Costco's wide selection of products, you can also take advantage of the tons of free food samples and the beloved Costco food court, which is home to the inflation immune $1.50 hot dog and soda combo.
This story is part of 12 Days of Tips, helping you make the most of your tech, home and health during the holiday season.
Despite the fun that is shopping at Costco, I currently don't have a Costco membership card. I onlyneed to go once every two or three months. Instead of taking the plunge on the $60 yearly cost for a Costco membership card (which is surprisingly affordable) I try to tag along with family members who have membership cards.
However, it might be time to stop bothering them. It turns out that there are ways to shop certain products at Costco without a membership card. Be warned, these tips and tricks are not the silver bullet they may seem to be. Costco has cracked down on offering free shopping passes, so even if you're able to buy some goods at Costco without a membership card, you still won't be able to shop to your heart's content.
Read on for tips on how to shop at Costco without paying for a membership. Plus, here are our picks for the best healthy snacks to pick up at Costco -- you'll need a membership for these, however -- and whether it's worth it to upgrade your Costco membership to Executive.
How do you even get into Costco without a membership card?
Costco requires you to show your membership card to even get inside, so if you don't have one, you'll have to speak to the employee at the front door to gain entrance. Simply mention that you're there for any of the reasons listed below, and they should let you in.
You can always use Instacart to shop at Costco, but it's not perfect
If you want to shop Costco, but without taking the plunge on a membership card, you canuse Instacart to shop at Costcowithout a membership. Unfortunately, this isn't a great money-saving option because the items you see on Instacart may be more expensive than they would be in-person. Not to mention, not everything in the store is available on Instacart.
At this point, it's probably cheaper and more convenient to justget a Costco membership.
You can buy alcohol without a Costco membership, but only in certain states
You can buyalcoholat Costco without a paid membership, as long as you're in an eligible state, like California or New York. Local laws prevent membership-only clubs like Costco or Sam's Club from withholding alcohol sales to the general public. The full list of states includes:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New York
- Texas
- Vermont
Once you've picked out your alcohol and you're in line to pay, let the cashier know that you don't have a membership card, and they'll scan you with a generic membership number. A supervisor may be required, so be patient as you wait to make your purchase.
You can also buy prescriptions at Costco without a membership
If you don't have health insurance and pay high prices for prescription drugs, you can take advantage of Costco's discounts.
Buying prescriptions without a membership is allowed in every Costco with a pharmacy across the country, regardless of state. Costco even has a customer service advice page explaining how you can buy prescriptions without a membership. According to its website:
You don't need to be a Costco member to purchase Costco Pharmacy prescriptions online or at our warehouses. Our Pharmacy counter will accept several different forms of payment, including cash, debit/ATM cards, Costco Shop Cards, and Visa.
You'll need to have a doctor's written prescription to buy most drugs available at a Costco Pharmacy.
Non-members can get an appointment with a Costco optometrist -- but there's a catch
A lesser-known Costco perk you can take advantage of without a membership is getting an eye exam with the in-house optometrist at the Costco Optical center. If you don't have medical insurance, this is another way you can save money, thanks to the discounts that Costco offers.
Unfortunately, though, you can't buy prescription glasses or contacts there without a Costco membership card. You can only pay for an eye examination, which may or may not include services to monitor your visual sharpness, whether you're nearsighted or farsighted, the health of your retinas and more.
This trick works at every Costco location across the country with an optometrist.
You do need a membership to use the food court
It used to be that anyone could go to the Costco food court. Even if you weren't a member, you could buy a slice of pizza for $2, and of course, a hot dog and soda combo for only $1.50. Sadly, this is no longer true for non-members.
Since early 2020, Costco has required a membership card to buy anything at the food court, including chicken bakes, barbecue beef brisket sandwiches, ice cream and churros.
If you're in the market for a paid membership to help you save on costs, you might also be interested in Amazon Prime. Learn more about Amazon's new discount prescription drug service and the hidden Amazon Prime perks you may not know about.
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As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of Costco and its membership policies, let me share my expertise on the concepts discussed in the article. My extensive knowledge in this area stems from personal experiences, research, and staying updated on retail trends and policies.
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Costco Membership Overview:
- Costco is a popular retail giant known for its wide range of products, including food, electronics, and even diamond engagement rings.
- The store offers a variety of perks, including free food samples and a beloved food court featuring the famous $1.50 hot dog and soda combo.
- The annual membership fee is $60, a surprisingly affordable cost for the benefits provided.
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Shopping at Costco Without a Membership:
- The article explores ways to shop at Costco without a membership, acknowledging that free shopping passes are no longer widely available.
- Instacart is suggested as an alternative, allowing non-members to shop at Costco, though it may not be as cost-effective or comprehensive as shopping in person.
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Buying Alcohol Without a Membership:
- Certain states, such as California and New York, allow non-members to purchase alcohol at Costco. This exception is due to local laws prohibiting membership-only clubs from restricting alcohol sales.
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Prescriptions Without a Membership:
- Costco's pharmacy services extend to non-members, providing an option for those without health insurance to access discounted prescription drugs.
- Costco explicitly states on its website that a membership is not required for purchasing prescriptions, and various forms of payment are accepted.
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Optometry Services Without a Membership:
- Non-members can schedule appointments with Costco optometrists for eye exams, offering potential cost savings, particularly for those without medical insurance.
- However, the article notes that purchasing prescription glasses or contacts requires a Costco membership.
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Costco Food Court Access:
- Historically, the Costco food court was accessible to non-members, allowing them to enjoy affordable items like pizza and the $1.50 hot dog and soda combo.
- Since early 2020, a membership card is now required to make purchases at the food court, signaling a change in policy.
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Membership Benefits:
- The article briefly touches on the potential benefits of a Costco membership, hinting at cost savings and perks comparable to other services like Amazon Prime.
In summary, Costco's membership policies have evolved, and while some services remain accessible to non-members, others now require a membership card. The article provides insights into alternative ways to access Costco's offerings without committing to a full membership, emphasizing that these strategies may have limitations.
