Does anyone get a free Costco membership?

Costco does not offer a completely free standalone membership, but certain drivers and high-spending members can effectively get one through specific perks or rewards.

Ways to Get a "Free" or Offset Membership

• Uber Pro Drivers: Drivers who reach Platinum or Diamond status in the Uber app can qualify for a free one-year Gold Star Costco membership (valid for new members only).
• Executive Membership Rewards: An Executive Membership costs $130 a year (a $65 upgrade over the basic tier) and gives you 2% back on qualifying purchases. If you spend at least $3,250 a year ($271 a month), the cash-back reward covers the $65 upgrade cost; if you spend $6,500 a year ($542 a month), the entire $130 membership is paid for by your rewards.
• Promotional Sign-Up Deals: Costco frequently runs new-member promotions (such as through Groupon or direct sign-ups) that provide a $20 to $40 Digital Costco Shop Card when you enroll in auto-renewal, lowering your effective out-of-pocket cost for the first year.

What You Can Do Without a Membership

If you do not want to pay for a membership, you can still access a few specific Costco services without one:

• Pharmacy: Non-members can fill prescriptions at the Costco pharmacy.
• Optical Exams: You can book an eye exam with the independent optometrists located at Costco.
• Alcohol (in some states): Depending on local state laws (such as California or Texas), alcohol sales cannot be restricted to members only, though policy enforcement varies by location.
• Costco.com: Non-members can shop online, but a 5% surcharge is added to most non-member online orders.

You can buy a Costco membership promotion through StackSocial where a standard $65 Gold Star membership comes with a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card bonus, effectively reducing your net cost (though you pay $65 upfront).

How the Deal Works

• Cost: You pay $65 upfront for a 1-year Gold Star Membership.
• Bonus: You receive a $20 Digital Costco Shop Card sent to your email within two weeks of activation.
• Eligibility: Valid only for new members or those whose memberships have been expired for at least 18 months.

Steps to Claim It

1. Purchase the membership voucher on StackSocial.
2. Follow the activation instructions found in your confirmation email to join online.
3. Sign up and opt-in for auto-renewal of your membership.
4. Look for your $20 digital shop card in your email inbox within two weeks.
5. Visit your local Costco warehouse membership counter with a valid photo ID to pick up your physical card.

No, you cannot get a 1-day or trial pass to shop at Costco, according to the Costco Customer Service Policy.

How to Shop Without a Full Membership

• Costco Shop Card: A member can buy you a Costco Shop Card (gift card). This lets you enter the store and pay for items, even if you do not have a membership.
• Shop with a Member: You can enter the warehouse as a guest if you go with a paid member, though only the member can pay for the items.
• Online Shopping: Non-members can shop on Costco.com, but non-member orders usually include a small surcharge.

Exceptions That Do Not Need a Membership

• Pharmacy: Anyone can use the Costco pharmacy to buy prescriptions.
• Alcohol: In some states, local laws mean you do not need a membership to buy alcohol.
• Optometrist: You can see an in-house eye doctor without a card, though you need a membership to buy glasses or contacts.

The Costco $20 rule is an unofficial nickname for the company's internal pay policy that sets a minimum starting wage of at least $20 per hour for all entry-level hourly workers in the United States and Canada.

Key Details of the Policy

• Wage Floor: Under labor agreements, the base pay for new hourly staff was raised to a floor of $20.00/hour, which has continued to see scheduled increases toward $21.00/hour.
• Industry Comparison: This starting wage outpaces entry-level pay offered by major competitors like Walmart and Target.
• Average Earnings: Alongside the starting wage floor, average pay across U.S. and Canadian locations exceeds $31.00 per hour when factoring in veteran step increases and bonuses.
• Benefits: The updated agreements also include expanded vacation benefits, allowing first-year employees to receive paid time off.

You can read more about the retail landscape and wage structures in this report on Costco's $20 rule.

No, you cannot get a free Costco membership using an EBT card, and EBT benefits cannot be used to pay for a membership fee.

Membership Rules

• Paid requirement: Costco requires an active, paid membership (starting at $65 a year) to shop at its warehouses.
• No EBT for fees: Federal SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) food stamps cannot cover membership costs.

Using EBT at Costco

• Groceries only: You can use your EBT card inside physical Costco warehouses to buy eligible food and grocery items once you are a member or enter with a member.
• Alternative access: You do not need your own membership if you shop with a friend or family member who is a member, and you can pay for the eligible groceries with your own EBT card.