How to Save at Costco Without a Membership

From Prescription Meds to Grocery Delivery, There are Plenty of Ways for Non-Members to Shop

Think you need a Costco membership to snag those bulk deals and Kirkland Signature favorites? Think again! While most shoppers assume membership is mandatory, there are actually six legitimate ways to access warehouse savings without paying annual fees. Before you start shopping, check Groupon's Costco discount codes for extra savings on your purchases.

Whether you're testing the waters before committing to a membership or just need to grab a few specific items, these insider tricks help you access deals without the upfront cost.

1. Use a Costco Shop Card for Full Store Access

Costco Shop Cards (their version of gift cards) can be used by anyone, even non-members. While you won't be able to buy a Costco Shop Card yourself, you can have a member friend purchase and load one for you (just be sure to pay them back!). 

This gives you complete access to the warehouse experience. You can browse every aisle, load up your cart with bulk items, and even snag those famous $1.50 hot dog combos from the food court. The Shop Card works both in-store and online, making it the most flexible option for non-member shopping.

The key is finding a member willing to buy the card for you. Many people ask family members, friends, or coworkers to purchase Shop Cards on their behalf. You can load any amount you want onto the card.

How Shop Cards Work for Non-Members

• Present the Shop Card at checkout just like a regular payment method
• Use any remaining balance for future purchases
• Combine with cash or credit if your purchase exceeds the card balance
• Shop online by entering the card number during checkout

2. Access Pharmacy Services Without Membership

Federal law requires pharmacies to serve all customers, regardless of store membership policies. This means you can walk into any Costco pharmacy and fill prescriptions without paying membership fees.

The pharmacy entrance is usually separate from the main warehouse, so you won't need to show a membership card at the door. You can also order prescription refills online through Costco's website without any membership requirements.

This option is particularly valuable if you're comparing prescription prices. Many shoppers discover significant savings on both generic and brand-name drugs through Costco's pharmacy services.

3. Shop Online with a 5% Surcharge

Non-members can browse and purchase most items on Costco.com, but there's a catch: you'll pay a 5% surcharge on top of the member prices. While this adds to your total cost, it might still be worth it for certain high-value items or hard-to-find products. Even so, the warehouse's low prices often beat out competitors like Amazon.

The surcharge applies to most merchandise, but prescription drugs are exempt. This means you can order medications online at the same price members pay.

Before you shop online as a non-member, do the math. Compare Costco's price (including the 5% surcharge) with other retailers to see if you're still getting a good deal. For bulk items or specialty products, the savings might justify the extra fee.

Online Shopping Tips for Non-Members

• Focus on items where Costco's base price is significantly lower than competitors
• Consider shipping costs in your total price comparison
• Look for items that aren't widely available elsewhere
• Remember that prescription drugs don't include the 5% surcharge

4. Buy Alcohol in Select States Without Membership

State liquor laws trump Costco's membership requirements in 14 states, allowing non-members to purchase alcohol without any restrictions. These states include major markets like California, Texas, New York, and several others.

In these states, you can walk into Costco and head straight to the liquor section without showing a membership card. This is particularly valuable given Costco's reputation for competitive alcohol pricing and their selection of premium spirits at warehouse prices.

The alcohol entrance might be separate from the main warehouse in some locations. You might need to explain to staff at the door that you're only purchasing alcohol. State regulations require them to allow non-member access for alcohol purchases.

States Allowing Non-Member Alcohol Purchases

• Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut
• Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky
• Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota
• New York, Texas, Vermont

5. Get Same-Day Costco Delivery through Instacart

One back-door way to get popular Kirkland-brand products, like wine and rotisserie chicken, without a Costco membership is to shop through Instacart. Your order will even be delivered directly to your doorstep for added convenience. One important note: you might end up paying higher prices than you would at a Costco warehouse. The famed $4.99 Costco rotisserie chicken, for example, was $6.21 in our Instacart search.

6. Tag Along with a Member Friend

We’ll end with the obvious option, which is tagging along with a friend who has a Costco membership. The only hiccup is that your friend will need to pay for your items, but the orders can be rung up separately so you’ll know exactly how much you owe them. 

What Doesn't Work: Common Myths Debunked

Let's clear up some misconceptions about Costco access. First, Costco doesn't offer guest passes or one-day shopping passes. Unlike some warehouse clubs, there's no way to pay a temporary fee for shopping privileges.

While members can bring up to two guests into the warehouse, only the member can make purchases. Your friend can't just bring you along and let you pay for your own items – the member must handle all transactions.

Third-party delivery services like Instacart do offer Costco shopping, but you'll pay additional fees and markups that often eliminate any savings. The convenience might be worth it for some shoppers, but it's not a money-saving strategy.

Smart Shopping Tips for Non-Members

Before using any of these methods, calculate whether the costs make sense for your shopping habits. If you're paying a 5% surcharge online or asking friends to buy Shop Cards regularly, you might save more money with an actual membership.

Focus on high-value purchases where Costco's pricing advantage is most pronounced. Items like electronics, appliances, or bulk household goods often offer the biggest savings potential, even with additional fees factored in.

Consider these non-member shopping strategies as a trial run. Use them to test Costco's pricing and product selection before deciding if a membership is worth it for your household. You might discover that the membership benefits justify the annual fee based on your shopping patterns.

1. Non-member surcharge policy — Costco Customer Service