Best Ways to Save Money at Costco Without a Membership
Costco is famous for its bulk discounts, exclusive deals, and high-quality products at unbeatable prices, but what if you don’t have a membership? Many people assume that shopping at Costco requires a paid membership, but there are several ways to take advantage of Costco’s savings without paying the annual fee.
In this guide, we’ll cover proven strategies to shop at Costco without a membership, real-world examples of how to save, and tips to maximize your shopping experience.
1. Use a Costco Shop Card (Gift Card)
One of the easiest ways to shop at Costco without a membership is by using a Costco Shop Card, which works like a gift card. Only members can purchase these cards, but they can be used by non-members to shop in-store and online.
How to Get One:
- Ask a friend or family member who has a membership to buy a Costco Shop Card for you.
- Costco Shop Cards can be loaded with amounts ranging from $25 to $2,000.
- Use it at any Costco warehouse or online at Costco.com.
✅ Real-World Example: Lisa’s sister is a Costco member. Lisa asks her to buy a $100 Costco Shop Card so she can stock up on household essentials without needing a membership.
2. Shop Online at Costco.com (Limited Access)
You can shop on Costco.com without a membership, but keep in mind that non-members pay a 5% surcharge on most items.
How to Save Money Online:
- Look for exclusive online sales and bulk discounts that still make shopping worthwhile.
- Some products, like electronics, appliances, and gift cards, are competitively priced even with the surcharge.
- Occasionally, Costco offers limited-time discounts to non-members.
✅ Real-World Example: Emma wants to buy a laptop from Costco. Even with the 5% surcharge, it’s still cheaper than other retailers, so she orders it online and gets free shipping.
3. Get Prescriptions from the Costco Pharmacy
Costco’s pharmacy services are available to non-members, and they often offer some of the lowest prescription prices.
How to Save on Medications:
- You don’t need a membership to fill prescriptions at Costco’s pharmacy.
- Compare prices using tools like GoodRx to see Costco’s competitive rates.
- Buy generic medications in bulk to save even more.
✅ Real-World Example: Maria needs a 90-day supply of medication. Costco’s price is significantly lower than her local pharmacy, so she fills her prescription there without needing a membership.
4. Get an Eye Exam at Costco Optical
While purchasing glasses or contacts requires a membership, Costco’s optical department provides eye exams to non-members.
How to Book an Eye Exam:
- Call your local Costco to schedule an appointment.
- Compare pricing with other optometrists—Costco is often cheaper for eye exams.
- If you need glasses, ask a member to buy them for you at Costco’s discounted prices.
✅ Real-World Example: Jessica books an eye exam at Costco for $70, which is cheaper than the $120 her regular optometrist charges.
5. Shop with a Costco Member
The simplest way to access Costco without a membership is by shopping with a friend or family member who has one.
How to Make the Most of It:
- Split bulk purchases with a member to maximize savings.
- Offer to pay them back via Venmo, Cash App, or cash.
- Some Costco members allow you to use their Costco Anywhere Visa Card for extra cashback rewards.
✅ Real-World Example: Sarah and her best friend do a monthly Costco run together. Sarah splits a bulk purchase of organic chicken, saving 30% compared to her local grocery store.
6. Buy Alcohol at Costco (State Dependent)
In many states, Costco is legally required to sell alcohol to non-members, meaning you can buy wine, beer, and spirits without a membership.
How to Check If Your State Qualifies:
- Visit your local Costco and ask if they sell alcohol to non-members.
- States like California, Texas, and New York allow alcohol purchases without a membership.
✅ Real-World Example: Mark buys a bottle of Costco’s Kirkland Signature Vodka, which is known to be a budget-friendly alternative to Grey Goose.
7. Use Instacart to Order Costco Groceries
If you don’t want to go to Costco, Instacart delivers Costco groceries without needing a membership. However, keep in mind that prices may be slightly marked up.
How to Order:
- Go to Instacart.com or the Instacart app.
- Search for Costco and browse available items.
- Place an order and enjoy Costco’s bulk deals delivered to your door.
✅ Real-World Example: Amanda orders bulk paper towels and organic produce from Costco via Instacart. The total cost is still cheaper than buying the same items at her local grocery store.
8. Take Advantage of Costco’s Free Samples
While you can’t enter Costco without a membership just to browse, some locations allow non-members to visit the food court or sample stations if accompanied by a member.
What You Can Get:
- Free food samples from rotating vendors.
- Cheap food court items like the famous $1.50 hot dog combo.
✅ Real-World Example: David goes to Costco with his coworker and enjoys free samples of cheese, granola bars, and yogurt while waiting for checkout.
Final Thoughts: Is Shopping at Costco Without a Membership Worth It?
While having a Costco membership offers exclusive savings, there are plenty of ways to take advantage of Costco deals without paying for one. Whether you use a Costco Shop Card, shop online, fill prescriptions, or buy alcohol, you can still enjoy Costco’s bulk discounts and high-quality products without the commitment.
💬 Have you shopped at Costco without a membership? Share your favorite money-saving hacks in the comments!
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