Costco cracks down on sharing membership cards

The days of sneaking into Costco with someone else’s card are coming to an end. The retailer is cracking down on sharing membership cards with a new policy in which all cards will be scanned at store entrances. 

Costco said in a recent statement on its website: “Over the coming months, membership scanning devices will be used at the entrance door of your local warehouse.”

Under the new process, all members must scan their physical or digital cards by “placing the barcode or QR Code against the scanner.” Previously, shoppers typically only had to present their membership cards at the cash register during checkout. 

Guests without cards must be accompanied by a member to enter, making it harder to slip in on borrowed cards.

Members with cards without photos will be asked to show valid photo ID, and they are encouraged to have their photos taken to add to their cards at the membership counter.

The statement said an attendant would be at store entrances to assist shoppers.

Attendants will ask members whose cards are inactive or expired or those who would like to sign up for new memberships to stop at a membership counter before they enter the warehouse to shop. 

Costco did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Costco relies on membership fees to drive most of its revenue and help keep merchandise prices low.

The new card-checking policy is the latest effort to put a stop to non-members’ taking advantage of the benefits.

Last year, Costco stepped up enforcement by adding an extra check for memberships in self-checkout aisles to stop shoppers from using other members’ cards. 

The chain also announced last month it would increase its membership rate for the first time since 2017. The fee will rise by $5 in the U.S. as of Sept. 1, from $60 to $65. Its higher-tier plan, called “Executive Membership,” will increase to $130 a year from $120.