It may feel sneaky, but it's totally legal. Here's everything you need to know about the coveted Costco Cash Card.
There are so many reasons to have a Costco membership: bulk-buy deals, tasty free samples, travel deals and big purchases that make that membership more than worth it. But that upfront annual membership fee can feel steep when you’re on a budget. We’re talking $65 for the standard Costco Gold Star or Business membership and $130 for the Executive membership.
However, there is a loophole that will let you shop at Costco without a membership, and it comes in the form of a handy little card. It’s called a Costco Cash Card, and if you’re not a Costco member (yet), it just may become your new favorite thing.
So how does it work? And what do you need to know before a trip to Costco as a nonmember? We looked into Costco’s rules and regulations, as well as spoke to Andrea Woroch, a nationally recognized consumer and money-saving expert, to find out. Read on to learn everything you need to know about Costco Cash Cards, including how to get your hands on one.
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What is a Costco Cash Card, exactly?
“A Costco Cash Card (officially called a Costco Shop Card) is essentially a gift card that can be used to make a purchase at the warehouse club in-store or online with some restrictions,” says Woroch. And it’s not just Costco members who can use them—nonmembers can use Costco Cash Cards too, though nonmembers are only permitted to use them in the warehouse, not online.
While there isn’t a limit on the number of times a nonmember can use a Costco Shop Card, there is a limit on how much one of these cards can carry. According to Costco, “governing laws require us to limit the total value we can sell of certain gift cards and similar items to $10,000 or less per day. This limit applies to all purchases made at Costco in a single day, whether in-person, online, or both.”
How do you get a Costco Cash Card?
So here’s the deal: Only members can buy these cards. But they can be purchased either in a warehouse or online at Costco.com. If you’re a member who buys one online, it will be shipped (or emailed) to the address you apply to the order. This means if you’re a member, you can purchase one of these cards and have it sent to a nonmember for their personal use.
“The only way to acquire a Cash Card is to receive one from another person,” Woroch confirms.
Another important note: These cash cards are reloadable, but also only by members. If you’re a nonmember who is carrying a Costco Shop Card and it runs out, you can’t reload it yourself. You’ll need to get your membership-carrying buddy to do that for you.
If you’re not a Costco member, how do you use one of these cards?
It’s simple: Just present the card at entry. The worker at the front will likely just let you through, though they may send you to customer service.
While you might feel a little bit sneaky walking up to the warehouse with your Costco Cash Card as a nonmember, you shouldn’t. The folks at the front checking membership cards see this all of the time, and it’s 100% acceptable.
Are there any restrictions attached to the card?
Yes. As noted, you can’t use a Costco Cash Card online if you aren’t a full-fledged member. And a single card can only hold a maximum of $10,000 (which, let’s be honest, is a whole lot of money).
Oh, and there’s one restriction that might bum you out: “Costco Cash Cards cannot be used at the food court to purchase food,” Woroch says. Sorry, but you’ll have to shell out that $1.50 from your wallet for the legendary hot dog and soda combo.
When is a Costco Cash Card a good idea?
If you’re buying a ton of food and party supplies (like plastic utensils, paper towels, tablecloths and the like) for a single event, then asking a friend with a Costco membership to pick up one of these cash cards for you is probably ideal so you can score some straightforward bulk deals.
You can also think of a Costco Cash Card as a trial membership of sorts—it’s a great chance to see what all the hype is really about. Just be forewarned that once you do, you’ll likely want to shop there again, and that membership fee is suddenly going to look a whole lot more attractive and reasonable.
Bonus: You can also apply a Cash Card toward a membership, so if it was an actual gift (versus you giving your buddy some cash to cover the card), it’s pretty much the proverbial gift that keeps on giving. And if you’re looking to buy this as a gift for someone? Trust us—it will be a hit!
When does it make more sense to get a Costco membership?
Basically, if you’re going to shop at Costco on the regular or want to take advantage of nonfood deals like Costco Travel, pet insurance, window purchases and installations, or any number of its other perks.
“Costco offers many benefits beyond bulk grocery savings,” Woroch says. “You can find deals on services, gift cards, travel and everyday essentials, as well as specialty purchases.”
She suggests having a friend buy you a Cash Card to test it out, then seeing if it makes sense for you—and if the annual membership will end up paying for itself. Spoiler alert: This is almost guaranteed to happen.
If you change your mind, can you convert a Costco Cash Card into cash?
No, you may not. The card is nonrefundable. However, some states now allow you to convert a small balance to cash. But we’re talking a really small amount.
- Balance less than $10: California
- Balance less than $5: Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington
- Balance less than $3: Connecticut
- Balance less than $2.50: Texas
- Balance less than $1: Rhode Island, Vermont
Are there any other ways to shop at Costco without a membership?
Yes! For starters, you can shop at Costco via Instacart without a membership. However, keep in mind that you’ll be paying delivery fees and nonmember prices. You can also shop on Costco.com as a nonmember, but you won’t get those massively discounted warehouse-club prices there either.
There are also a few areas of the warehouse club that you can access without a membership. Those include:
- The pharmacy (where you can pick up prescriptions and get vaccinations)
- The optical center (where you can get an eye exam and buy glasses and contacts)
- The alcohol department (select states only)
In short, you’ve got options … but once you step foot in Costco and start racking up those deals, it’s hard to accept the fact that you can’t go whenever you want and buy whatever you want. Sorry, but that’s the truth, dear readers, so consider yourself warned!
About the expert
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on the Costco Cash Card, Kelly Bryant tapped her experience as a longtime journalist who often covers Costco news and facts about various brands for Reader’s Digest. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Costco: “Shop Card FAQs”
- Andrea Woroch, consumer and money-saving expert; interviewed, July 2025
