Costco Shop Card: how it works, and using it without a membership
A Costco Shop Card is Costco's own gift card. Anyone can use one, members or not, in any U.S. Costco warehouse, at Costco gas stations and on Costco.com. Only members can buy or reload them, and they never expire.
From Costco's Shop Card FAQ and membership terms, checked October 18, 2026.
The short version
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can non-members use it? | Yes, in the warehouse, at the gas station and car wash, and on Costco.com |
| Who can buy or reload one? | Members only |
| Does it expire? | No |
| Where does it work? | Any Costco in the U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico, Costco.com and Costco.ca |
| Can it pay for a membership? | Yes |
| Can I reload it online? | No, only at a warehouse register |
| If it's lost or stolen? | Costco can't replace it |
Can you use a Costco Shop Card without a membership?
Yes. Costco's terms say members and non-members may use Shop Cards to make purchases at any Costco location in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada, and online at Costco.com. That's the main way to shop at Costco without being a member: a member buys the card and gives it to you.
It also works at the gas station. Costco lists Shop Cards among the payments its gas stations and car washes accept, and a Shop Card is the one way non-members can buy Costco gas. See Costco gas stations near you.
How to check your Costco Shop Card balance
On Costco.com, use the Shop Card balance link (at the bottom of the page) and enter the card number and the 4-digit PIN from the back of the card. For a Digital Shop Card, use the number and PIN in the email. The balance also shows when you use the card at checkout.
Reloading, and what happens if you lose it
- Reload at a warehouse. Costco doesn't offer reloading online. Any warehouse register can add money to a physical or digital card.
- Treat it like cash. Costco says it isn't responsible for lost or stolen Shop Cards and can't replace them. If you bought a Digital Shop Card on Costco.com, you can resend the email from your Orders & Purchases.
- Daily limit. Costco says the law requires it to limit sales of certain gift cards to $10,000 or less a day.
What is a Digital Costco Shop Card?
The same thing, sent by email and used from your phone. Costco also includes Digital Shop Cards with some Costco Travel packages; see is Costco Travel worth it?
Is a gift card at Costco a good deal?
Costco also sells gift cards for other businesses, like restaurants. When one is priced under its face value, here's what you save:
The numbers filled in are an example, not a current Costco price. A discount only helps if you'd spend that money at the business anyway.
Common questions
What is a Costco Shop Card?
Costco's gift card. It works like cash at Costco, in the warehouse, at the gas station and online, and it never expires.
Can you get into Costco with a gift card?
Yes. Costco says non-members may use Shop Cards to shop at any U.S. Costco location. A gift card for another store or restaurant doesn't get you in; it has to be a Costco Shop Card.
Can you use a Costco Shop Card for gas?
Yes. Costco gas stations accept Shop Cards, including from non-members.
Where can I buy a Costco Shop Card?
At a Costco warehouse or on Costco.com, if you're a member. Only members can buy and reload them.
Does Costco sell Disney gift cards?
Costco has sold discounted Disney gift cards on Costco.com for members, as Disney Food Blog has reported. The deal comes and goes and can sell out, so check Costco.com while signed in. If you find one, put its value and price into the calculator above to see the discount.
Do Shop Cards earn the Executive 2%?
Buying a Shop Card doesn't: Costco excludes Shop Cards from the reward. See the 2% reward, explained.
What payment does Costco take besides Shop Cards?
Visa, debit cards, cash and more. See what payment Costco accepts.
Sources: Costco Shop Card FAQs and Costco member privileges and conditions, checked October 18, 2026. See how we check our numbers.