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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteCostco does not offer free shopping passes, and a paid membership is generally required to enter a warehouse and buy ordinary merchandise. The clearest exceptions are prescription drugs, certain eligible items on Costco.com, limited Shop Card purchases, and merchandise that local law requires Costco to sell to nonmembers. Each exception is narrow; none grants general access to shop the warehouse.
Costco Customer Service states that a paid membership is required to enter and purchase items other than prescriptions. Its free-shopping-pass policy was published August 4, 2026.
What nonmembers can buy at Costco
| Purchase route | What Costco’s policy allows | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Costco Pharmacy prescriptions | Nonmembers can purchase prescriptions online or at Costco warehouses. | A pharmacy visit does not authorize shopping for other warehouse goods. |
| Eligible Costco.com merchandise | Some merchandise is available online to members and nonmembers. | Eligible nonmember purchases cost 5% more than the member posted price, except prescriptions. Not every product is necessarily available to nonmembers. |
| Costco Shop Card purchases | Nonmembers may use a Shop Card for certain purchases at Costco locations in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada, and online. | The policy limits this to certain purchases; a card is not a warehouse shopping pass. |
| Merchandise covered by local law | Costco may sell certain merchandise, including alcohol in some states, to nonmembers where required by law. | Availability depends on the applicable law and local warehouse procedures. |
These exceptions come from Costco’s membership conditions and customer-service guidance on buying prescriptions without a membership.
Prescription drugs: the clearest in-person exception
Costco expressly permits nonmembers to buy Costco Pharmacy prescriptions either online or at a warehouse. At the warehouse pharmacy, Costco lists cash, debit or ATM cards, Costco Shop Cards, and Visa as accepted payment methods. Check the specific pharmacy’s hours and arrangements before visiting; permission to access the pharmacy does not extend to the rest of the store.
#1 Best Overall
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
Online merchandise: some items, with a surcharge
Costco’s membership conditions say certain merchandise can be purchased online by either members or nonmembers. The conditions do not promise that every Costco.com product is available to nonmembers, so confirm eligibility on the product page and at checkout.
For eligible merchandise, nonmembers pay 5% above the member posted price. Costco’s online surcharge FAQ states that prescription drugs are exempt. Treat the 5% as a surcharge on eligible online purchases, not as a fee that applies to every product or to all Costco shopping.
Rank #2
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
Shop Cards: a limited payment option, not access to shop
Costco’s membership conditions allow nonmembers to use Costco Shop Cards for certain purchases at locations in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada, as well as online. That wording does not establish that a nonmember may enter a warehouse to browse and buy ordinary goods simply by carrying a card. Do not buy a Shop Card on the assumption that it replaces membership; check whether the specific purchase is eligible.
Alcohol and other local-law exceptions
Costco says some merchandise, including alcohol in certain states, may be sold to nonmembers where required by law. Its published conditions do not provide a complete current state-by-state list. Since both applicable law and local implementation matter, contact the warehouse before making a trip rather than assuming the exception applies everywhere.
Rank #3
- Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and carry no fees.
- Multiple gift card designs and denominations to choose from.
- Redeemable towards millions of items store-wide at Amazon.com or certain affiliated websites.
- Available for immediate delivery. Gift cards sent by email can be scheduled up to a year in advance.
- No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards.
What about gas, food courts, optical, and other services?
The Costco policies cited above do not establish a universal nonmember right to use gas stations, food courts, optical departments, or other warehouse services. Access can depend on the service and location; ask the specific warehouse or consult Costco’s current guidance before relying on an exception.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to check before you go
- For an ordinary warehouse purchase: assume you need a paid membership. Costco says it does not offer free shopping passes.
- For a prescription: check the Costco Pharmacy listing for the online or warehouse location you plan to use, and confirm hours and payment arrangements if visiting.
- For an online item: review the product page and checkout to confirm nonmember eligibility and the displayed price, including any surcharge.
- For a Shop Card or local-law exception: contact the specific Costco location to confirm that the intended purchase is allowed before traveling.
The policy details here reflect Costco’s official customer-service and membership information accessed October 7, 2026. The Shop Card policy specifically names the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada; do not assume the same conditions apply in other countries.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- Double check if the URL/website is genuine before entering card details online. Do not provide any gift card details (example: claim code) to someone you do not know or trust. There are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- If you believe that your Card has been lost or stolen, notify Mastercard immediately by calling 1-833-791-7288. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Mastercard Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted, including online. Your Amazon.com Balance cannot be used to purchase Mastercard gift cards.
Rank #4
- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
