Does Costco Have A One-Day Pass in 2024? (Try This Instead)

With Costco‘s reputation for big bulk discounts, you may be eager to take advantage of the savings without committing to an annual membership. But does Costco offer one-day passes? Unfortunately, the answer is no.

Costco‘s business model relies on membership fees, which account for the majority of their profits. In 2022, Costco reported having 118 million member households globally, providing around $4 billion in membership revenue for the year.

According to Costco CFO Richard Galanti, offering one-day passes would undermine their membership model. The deals and discounts at Costco stores are meant to be special benefits reserved for dues-paying members.

However, if you don‘t want to spend $60-$120 per year for a basic or executive Costco membership, there are still several ways to enjoy some Costco bargains without signing up.

Shop Online at Costco.com

The most straightforward approach is ordering items online at Costco.com as a non-member. You‘ll pay a 5% surcharge on top of the listed prices, except for prescriptions. While not ideal, this opens access to Costco‘s inventory and pricing without an annual fee.

Online shopping misses out on special member-only coupons and instant rebates in store. And many grocery items like produce, meat, and dairy aren‘t available online. But for non-perishable pantry items, electronics, appliances, and more, you can still score quality products at discounted prices.

According to a price study by Cheapism, Costco‘s online prices were 19% cheaper on average compared to Amazon. So even with the 5% surcharge, Costco can represent big savings, especially for higher priced purchases.

Use a Costco Shop Card

Costco shop cards work similarly to gift cards, except they are reloadable and never expire. Costco members can purchase shop cards for anyone to use for purchases up to $10,000 per day.

The cards can be loaded with any amount between $25 and $1000, so they allow non-members to benefit from Costco‘s discounts for a cash prepayment. And the balance carries over on the card for future use.

Shop cards let you access all the great in-store deals and are accepted at any U.S. or Canada Costco warehouse as well as Costco‘s online store. The only catch is you‘ll need to know a member to initially buy and load the card for you.

If you plan on regular Costco shopping trips without a membership, ask a member family member or friend about getting a shop card. Or buy one secondhand on sites like eBay or Amazon. Just verify the balance is accurate when you receive it.

Return a Gift Bought at Costco

When returning a gift purchased by a Costco member to any Costco warehouse, non-members will receive the refund amount on a Costco cash card instead of cash.

To do this, you‘ll need the original itemized receipt dated within 90 days. Or if you have the membership number of the person who bought the gift, Costco can look up the purchase with that information.

This essentially allows you one-time access to shop with the refunded amount. Note that returns and refund methods are ultimately at each warehouse‘s discretion. But returning a gift is a clever way to get a free pass to shop at Costco.

Shop with a Costco Member

Every Costco member can bring up to two guests per shopping trip. This is the easiest way to check out Costco‘s warehouse prices and products for yourself without paying for a membership.

You‘ll need to pay for any purchases you want to make separately. On busy weekends, guests may have to wait outside while the member shops if the store is too crowded. Going on weekdays or at opening hours gives you the best chance to accompany your member friend through the warehouse.

While not a perfect substitute for having your own membership, it‘s a simple way to experience Costco‘s offerings by tagging along with a current member.

Purchase Alcohol in Select States

Due to state alcohol regulations, Costco locations in some areas must allow non-members to purchase alcohol. These states include:

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

So if you live in one of those states, you can buy beer, wine, and spirits at Costco‘s low prices without needing a membership. Just keep in mind that you‘ll be limited to the alcohol section – no sneaking off to shop the rest of the warehouse!

Get a Health Screening

Certain Costco pharmacy locations offer free health screenings and tests for non-members, including:

• Blood pressure
• Blood sugar
• Bone density
• Hearing
• Heart health
• And more

Contact your local Costco pharmacy to see if they offer health screenings. If so, it‘s a great way to benefit from Costco‘s affordable healthcare services without purchasing a membership.

Pros and Cons of Shopping at Costco Without a Membership

The Bottom Line

Costco does not offer one-day passes to shop in its warehouses. But non-members do have options to take advantage of some of Costco‘s amazing prices and products without paying for an annual membership.

Trying Costco‘s online store, using a shop card, or returning a gift lets you access deals with little hassle. And you can always shop with an existing member or buy alcohol in eligible states for a taste of Costco‘s offerings.

While not as convenient as a dedicated one-day pass, these alternatives let you enjoy top brands at warehouse savings without fully committing to a paid membership.