8 Ways To Shop At Costco Without A Membership

Supermarkets Compete In Premium Beef Market
Getty Images | Tim Boyle

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6. Shop Costco Online

Yes, even if you’re not a Costco member, you can shop on their website. We had no idea! However, there is a 5 percent surcharge for non-members, so you may be better off using the store’s Cash Card we mentioned above, or just keep track of how much you’ll be spending online to make sure your surcharge isn’t too high (i.e., not more than the annual $55 membership).

7. Go Shopping For Alcohol

In a handful of states, Costco can’t bar you from buying alcohol without a membership. So check the rules in your state, then go shopping! When you get to the door of the store, simply explain that you’re there to purchase alcohol and that’s it.

8. Eat At The Food Court

Yep, many of us know Costco has very reasonably priced food—that’s actually tasty, too. We’re hungry just thinking about it. Some Costco food courts are outside the store, which means you don’t need a membership to order and eat. You can also use a Costco Cash Card if you’re totally craving a hot dog.

Getty Images | Tim Boyle

We don’t know about you, but now we want to make a Costco run.

RELATED: Costco And Sam’s Club Go Head To Head—And The Winner Is…

Plus, if you do want to become a member, now is the time. Costco is increasing their membership fees as of June 1, according to Wallet Hacks. So you’ll save $5 if you get a membership now for $55 versus $60 in a few months. Good to know—even though you could also shop at Costco without a membership, as you learned above.

About the Author

Natalia Lusinski

In addition to Don't Waste Your Money, Natalia is an ongoing writer for Bustle (sex, dating, relationships, and money), HelloGiggles (pop culture and news), Simplemost (lifestyle topics), and The Delite (feel-good stories). You can also find her writing in the L.A. Times, the Chicago Tribune's RedEye, xoJane, Elite Daily, Scary Mommy, Elephant Journal, and Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies, among other publications. She has a Ph.D. in couch-surfing, having spent four years sleeping on over 200 L.A.-area love seats and sectionals, all in an effort to whittle down her student loan debt. She still loves couch-surfing in other cities, too (hint, hint). More.

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