Quick Answer
Yes, you can get a 1-day pass to shop at Costco without a membership. Costco offers 1-day passes to non-members for a fee of $10. This allows access to most areas of the warehouse, with some restrictions. Shoppers with a 1-day pass cannot make any purchases at the Costco food court, pharmacy, optical department, hearing aid department, or gas station.
Overview of Costco 1-Day Passes
Costco warehouse clubs require an annual membership fee to shop there. However, they understand that non-members may want to visit the warehouse just to look around or make a one-time purchase. For these occasions, Costco offers 1-day passes.
Here are some key things to know about Costco’s 1-day passes:
- The fee for a 1-day pass is $10
- The pass provides access to most areas of the warehouse for one day
- Food court, pharmacy, optical, hearing aid, and gas station purchases are restricted
- You must be 18 years or older to purchase a 1-day pass
- Passes are available at Costco’s membership counter
- No identification or proof of eligibility is required
- Cash or debit/credit cards are accepted for payment
The 1-day pass serves as a temporary membership card. You will be given a card to scan at the entrance and present at checkout. This allows you to shop the warehouse, with the exception of restricted departments.
Why Would Someone Get a 1-Day Pass?
There are several reasons why a non-member may want to get a 1-day pass to shop at Costco:
- To evaluate a membership – Getting a 1-day pass lets you explore the warehouse to determine if a Costco membership is worth it for you. You can check out the store layout, product selection, prices, and service.
- To accompany a member – Members can bring up to two guests with them into Costco. So you may go as a guest of a friend or family member who has a regular membership.
- To make a large or one-time purchase – If you need to make a big purchase that requires bulk quantities, like for an event or office, a 1-day pass allows you to buy what you need at Costco without paying for an annual membership.
- Comparison shopping – You can use a 1-day pass to check prices and products against other wholesale or retail stores in your area.
The pass gives you access for a full shopping trip. This can be valuable if you need more than just picking up one or two items. You’ll have several hours to check out everything Costco has to offer.
What Can You Purchase with a 1-Day Pass?
With a 1-day pass to Costco, you can purchase almost anything from the warehouse except:
- Food court items
- Prescription medications
- Optical department purchases including prescription eyeglasses
- Hearing aids
- Gasoline
So that means you can shop and purchase:
- Electronics
- Appliances large and small
- Tires
- Alcohol, including an entire keg
- Tobacco products
- Office supplies
- Mattresses and furniture
- Clothing and accessories
- Books
- Toys
- Sporting goods
- Automotive accessories
- Home goods
- Fresh produce
- Packaged and prepared food items
- Non-prescription medications
- Pet supplies
- And anything else available in the warehouse besides restricted items
You’ll be able to take advantage of Costco’s low prices and bulk quantities across most of the product categories in the warehouse. The 1-day pass provides an opportunity to see if shopping at Costco would be worthwhile for your household or business.
What Are the Restrictions of a 1-Day Pass?
When you use a 1-day pass, there are some restrictions to be aware of:
- You cannot make any purchases at the food court. This includes hot items like pizza, sandwiches, churros, turkey legs, and ice cream as well as soda and smoothies.
- Prescription drugs at the pharmacy are prohibited, including pet medications.
- You cannot use any services in the optical department, such as eye exams or ordering prescription glasses or contacts.
- Hearing aids cannot be purchased.
- You cannot use the Costco gas station during your 1-day pass.
Additionally, there are some other limitations:
- No refunds can be given. All sales are final during the 1-day pass.
- You cannot sign up for a Costco membership that same day.
- No checks are accepted for purchases.
- You cannot add anyone else to your 1-day pass.
These restrictions make sense as certain services and perks are reserved for Costco members only. But you still have access to make purchases across most of the warehouse.
How to Obtain a 1-Day Pass
Getting a 1-day pass to Costco is easy to do:
- Go to any Costco warehouse location. There is no need to call ahead.
- Inform the greeter at the entrance that you would like a 1-day pass.
- Proceed to the membership counter and state that you need to purchase a 1-day pass.
- Show your photo ID.
- Pay the $10 fee. Cash, debit cards, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are accepted.
- Provide a signature when prompted on the register.
- You will receive a temporary card to present at the entrance and checkout.
The entire process takes just a couple minutes. You do not need to be a Costco member or know someone with a membership to get a 1-day pass. Simply visit any location and purchase it that same day.
Does a 1-Day Pass Make You a Costco Member?
No, a 1-day shopping pass does not make you a fully-fledged Costco member. You only get temporary access for that one day.
The benefits of a paid annual Costco membership include:
- Ongoing access to warehouses
- No need to pay a $10 fee every visit
- Ability to purchase gas, prescriptions, glasses, and hearing aids
- Eligible for Costco Shop Cards and Executive Membership rewards
With the 1-day pass option, you are essentially paying for a sample of the Costco experience. You cannot take advantage of the bonus services reserved for members only. If you find yourself visiting Costco frequently and making regular purchases, it likely makes sense to sign up for an official membership.
Can the 1-Day Pass Turn Into a Membership?
Unfortunately, you cannot turn your 1-day pass into a full Costco membership on the same day. You have to sign up and pay for membership on a separate visit.
However, you can apply the $10 day pass fee towards a new membership if you decide to join within 30 days. Here is how it works:
- Use a 1-day pass and keep your receipt.
- Within 30 days, return to upgrade to a paid membership.
- Show your 1-day pass receipt.
- Costco will discount your new membership fee by $10.
So you can essentially use the 1-day pass to try out the Costco shopping experience at a lower cost. If you want to move forward with an annual membership, part of the 1-day fee goes towards that. This makes it a bit more affordable to check out Costco and then join.
Can You Renew an Expired Costco Membership for a 1-Day Pass?
No, Costco does not allow expired members to renew for just 1 day. If you previously had a Costco membership that you let lapse, you have two options:
- Renew your membership for a full year at the current rate.
- Purchase a new 1-day pass for $10 if you only need to shop for that day.
Even if your membership expired recently, you cannot renew it only for the short term. Costco wants to encourage ongoing memberships rather than temporary passes.
So an expired member must choose between a standard 1-year renewal or getting a 1-day pass like any other non-member. There is no special pricing or renewal options for prior members whose memberships have lapsed. The access options are all or nothing.
Can You Use Someone Else’s Membership for One Day?
If you have a friend or family member willing to lend you their membership card, you can use their Costco membership for a day rather than buying a 1-day pass.
Members are allowed to share their memberships. When entering Costco, the greeter will only check that you have a valid membership card. They do not verify identities against the card.
So if someone loans you their membership card, you can take advantage of their membership privileges for that day. Just be sure you are only shopping for yourself and not purchasing alcohol or prescriptions which require ID verification.
Using someone else’s card for one day can save you the $10 pass fee. But the other person would need to trust you with their membership and not need it that same day.
Does a Costco Gift Card Allow One-Day Access?
No, a Costco Shop Card (their gift card) does not grant you access to the warehouse. You must have an active membership card or 1-day pass to enter Costco and make purchases.
The Costco Shop Card functions like any other gift card. It can be used to pay for eligible purchases, but does not act as a pass or membership to access the warehouse itself. You must have a standard membership or 1-day pass for entry on any visit.
So gift cards are meant for members to enjoy additional savings. Shop Cards cannot be used in place of passes to access Costco. Any visitor must have one of the approved access passes to shop for the day.
Can You Get a 1-Day Pass and Shop with a Member?
Yes, it is permitted to get a 1-day pass for yourself and still accompany a Costco member during their shopping trip. This can be a nice perk if the member has already used their two guest passes.
The member would let you in under their membership. You would then separately purchase a 1-day pass for $10 at the membership counter. This allows you to personally make purchases beyond what the member can buy for you.
As long as you have a pass, you are welcome to shop alongside any Costco member during their visit. The 1-day pass gives you individual buying power while with a member.
Conclusion
In summary, Costco does offer 1-day passes to non-members for a fee. This provides access to shop the warehouse, excluding certain member-only services like the pharmacy and food court.
The 1-day pass gives you a chance to evaluate a Costco membership and make purchases for the day. While not equal to a full membership, it can be handy for a major shopping trip or infrequent need to buy in bulk quantities. Knowing the permissions and restrictions allows you to maximize the pass during your temporary access.
