Better Have ID As This Popular Costco Hack Is Going Away!

If you are heading out this weekend to Costco to stock up on...well anything really, make sure you've got YOUR membership card. Many Costco's are starting to get their new self-check-in scanners, and if you aren't with the person whose card is scanned you aren't getting in.

Back in August Costco posted to their website the announcement of the new devices being rolled out to their stores.

Over the coming months, membership scanning devices will be used at the entrance door of your local warehouse. Once deployed, prior to entering, all members must scan their physical or digital membership card by placing the barcode or QR Code against the scanner*. Guests must also be accompanied by a valid member for entry.

If you have any questions or concerns, there will always be an attendant at the door to assist you!

So what can you do if your spouse has a membership card and you don't? Costco has thought of that. According to their customer service page:

Costco is able to keep our prices as low as possible because our membership fees help offset our operational expenses, making our membership fee and structure important to us.

Costco’s membership policy has not changed. We have always asked for membership cards at our registers at time of checkout. Our membership policy states that our membership cards are not transferable and since expanding our self-service checkout, we’ve noticed that non-member shoppers have been using membership cards that do not belong to them. As we already ask for the membership card at checkout, we are now asking to see their membership card with their photo at our self-service checkout registers.

Primary and Affiliate Members can add one free Household Card for anyone over the age of 16 and living at the same address.

However, there are still some things that you can use Costco for even if you aren't a member, like their pharmacy.

You don’t need to be a Costco member to purchase Costco Pharmacy prescriptions online or at our warehouses.

You also don't need a membership to see an optometrist, but need a membership to order glasses or lenses through the warehouse.

So if you share a membership with a spouse, make sure they tag along the next time you head to the store. At least until you get your complimentary card...then you can let them roam.