Costco Membership Rules You Should Always Follow

Costco Membership Rules: Costco requires all customers to hold an active membership to shop at their stores. Members are expected to follow specific guidelines, including respectful behavior toward employees and other customers.

If a member causes repeated trouble, their membership may be revoked. Costco tracks problematic members, making it difficult for them to reapply for a membership.

Costco Membership Rules

Abusing the Return Policy

Costco is famous for its lenient return policy, which allows members to return even partially consumed food before its expiration date without a receipt. Members who abuse this policy could face membership cancellation.

Store managers have discretion in processing returns and are generally accommodating, but suspicious patterns of returns may result in action against the member.

Payment Rules for Members

Only the membership holder can make purchases at Costco, and certain payment restrictions apply. Costco accepts only Visa-backed credit cards, along with options like cash and Apple Pay.

The payment method used must match the name on the membership. In recent years, Costco has become stricter, and even transactions involving a spouse’s payment card have been denied if the membership is in one name.

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No Sharing of Memberships

Membership sharing is strictly prohibited. Costco allows only the person named on the membership card to use it, even at self-checkout. Employees actively monitor for compliance, and membership cards with photos are required. If a card lacks a photo, the member must present another form of photo identification.

Service Animal Policies

Costco’s policy permits only service animals in their stores, and employees are authorized to verify their status.

Service dogs are not required to wear vests or be visibly identified, but emotional support or therapy animals are not allowed unless trained for specific tasks, such as assisting with psychiatric episodes.

Presenting Membership Cards Multiple Times

To combat membership sharing, Costco introduced card-scanning machines at entrances in 2024. Members are now required to present their membership cards several times during a shopping trip, so keeping the card handy is essential.

Membership Cancellation and Refunds

Costco allows members to request a refund for their membership fees if they decide they no longer need it, even after several months of use. While this policy is generous, repeatedly abusing it could lead to a permanent ban from the store.

Receipt Checks at the Exit

Costco requires members to present receipts upon exiting the store. This practice helps prevent shoplifting and ensures members are not overcharged or miss any promotional offers. Skipping the receipt check might raise suspicions and is generally discouraged.

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Store Warnings and Policies

Costco enforces standard rules like prohibiting alcohol sales to minors, inspecting bags, and banning firearms except for law enforcement officers.

The store also has policies against harassment and discrimination, with managers empowered to ban customers for inappropriate behavior such as taking unauthorized photos or harassing employees.

Dress Code Expectations

Although Costco expects customers to wear shirts and shoes, this is not a federal requirement, but a standard practice set by the business. Such rules align with creating a respectful and safe shopping environment for all customers.