Costco Shop Card in Canada: where it works, and who can use it
A Costco Shop Card is Costco's gift card. In Canada it never expires, works at any Costco in Canada, the U.S. or Puerto Rico and on Costco.ca and Costco.com, and can pay toward a membership. Only members can buy or reload one. Non-members can spend one, but Costco Canada says they need to register for a day pass, up to 2 times a year.
From Costco.ca's Shop Card FAQs, checked October 18, 2026.
Shop Card rules in Canada
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does it expire? | No |
| Who can buy or reload one? | Members only, at any warehouse (or buy on Costco.ca) |
| Can non-members use it? | Yes, with a day pass, at most 2 times a year |
| Where does it work? | Costco in Canada, the U.S. and Puerto Rico; Costco.ca and Costco.com |
| Reload online? | No, only at a warehouse register |
| Cash back? | No, except where the law requires it |
| Lost or stolen? | Replaceable with proof of purchase, through Member Service (1-800-463-3783) |
| Amounts | $50 to $2,000 |
Can I use a Shop Card for gas in Canada?
A physical Shop Card, yes: Costco's gas Q&A says Shop Cards are accepted at the pump and also count as membership authorization, so Shop Card holders can buy gas without being members. Digital Shop Cards can't be used at gas stations; you can swap a digital card for a physical one at a warehouse. See Costco gas in Canada.
Digital Shop Cards
- Sent by email and used from your phone or a printout, in warehouses and online.
- Not accepted at self-checkout, food court kiosks or gas stations.
- Can be passed on by forwarding the email, or turned into a physical card at a warehouse.
- Promotional Digital Shop Cards (for example, from new-member or Costco Travel offers) arrive by email; Costco Travel says vacation and cruise cards come about 10 days after the trip starts.
Common questions
Can I use a Costco Shop Card without a membership in Canada?
Yes, but Costco Canada says a non-member must register for a day pass to shop with it, which can be done up to 2 times a year. At the gas pump, a physical Shop Card works without a membership.
Can I use a Canadian Shop Card in the U.S.?
Yes, at any U.S. Costco and on Costco.com. Going the other way, Costco notes that a U.S. Shop Card used in Canada has its balance moved onto a Canadian card, kept in U.S. funds.
Can I pay for Same-Day delivery with a Shop Card?
No. Costco Canada says Shop Cards can't pay for Same-Day Delivery powered by Instacart; it suggests 2-Day Delivery instead.
Can I pay for my membership with a Shop Card?
Yes. Costco Canada says Shop Cards can be used toward a membership as well as merchandise.
Is it the same in the U.S.?
Not quite. In the U.S., lost Shop Cards can't be replaced, and Costco doesn't mention a day pass for non-members. See U.S. Costco Shop Cards.
Sources: Costco.ca Shop Card FAQs, Costco.ca Gasoline Q&A, Costco.ca payment methods and the Costco Travel Canada help centre, checked October 18, 2026. Run Don't Walk is an independent fan site, not affiliated with Costco Wholesale Canada.