It might need raised its membership charges this 12 months, however Costco is at all times presenting the general public with compelling causes to proceed shopping for in. Past the on a regular basis wholesale costs, membership additionally entitles cardholders to the Costco Subsequent program, which lets them store at a reduction straight via suppliers. They’ll additionally get pleasure from a very low-cost hot-dog-and-soda combo earlier than or after their purchasing journey. However the truth is, the thrill of Costco may not be fully restricted to card-carrying members. Meet the Costco Store Card.

What’s the Costco Store Card?

The cardboard, also referred to as a Costco Money Card, is a substitute for paying with money or a bank card at Costco. Like a present card, it incorporates a saved financial worth that by no means expires, and worth will be reloaded onto the cardboard indefinitely.

The cardboard can be utilized as a type of cost at any Costco location in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, in addition to on-line at Costco.com and Costco.ca. Solely members could buy this card, however — and this is essential — it may be utilized by members and non-members alike, each in-store and on-line. This enables anybody to buy at Costco with out paying annual membership charges, supplied they’ve a connection to somebody who should buy them this card. 

Along with the Costco Store Card, there’s additionally a Digital Store Card, despatched to the recipient through e mail. Customers can use it precisely as they might a bodily card, both by redeeming it through smartphone or by printing it out and bringing it to the shop. 

Tips on how to use the Costco Store Card

The Store Card can be utilized like money to buy merchandise from Costco, and like a present card, you don’t have to make use of the complete stability in a single go; you’ll be able to spend a bit after which verify your remaining stability on-line. 

Some Reddit customers say that the shop solely honors the Store Card as much as its worth restrict, which means a non-member can’t use a bank card on the remaining stability. Some Costco areas additionally make non-members current the Store Card to the customer support desk earlier than purchasing, and infrequently, customers report that the cashier is unaware of Store Card protocol, which requires coming into a generic membership quantity at checkout. However for a lot of buyers, these minor hurdles are value it. 

For these non-members who’re enamored by their go to to the shop, the playing cards will also be put towards a yearly membership. They can not, nevertheless, be used to buy on Costco Subsequent. 

Whereas the Costco Store Card will not be refundable and customarily not redeemable for money, its stability can be transformed to money in sure states, underneath sure circumstances. Right here’s an inventory of states that require this redemption by legislation:

• Steadiness lower than $10: CA
• Steadiness lower than $5: CO, HI, ME, MA, MT, NJ, OR, WA
• Steadiness lower than $3: CT
• Steadiness lower than $2.50: TX
• Steadiness lower than $1: RI, VT

And should you’re gifting the Costco Store Card this vacation season, be warned: the shop isn’t liable for changing misplaced or stolen playing cards. When you plan to present it to somebody forgetful, perhaps ship the digital model, because the emailed card can merely be reprinted.