Top 12+ Costco Membership Rules You May Not Know
- 3) They take their membership cards seriously.
- 4) Costco doesn’t accept coupons.
- 6) You can buy wine and spirits at many Costco stores.
- 7) You can return items you purchased online in the store.
- 8) They only accept VISA cards for credit card transactions.
- 9) Non-members can shop online.
- 11) You can get a price adjustment if a price drops.
- 12) Pets should be left at home.
2) You can get a free household card for one other person in your home.

You can always bring along two guests, though you’re the one who has to make the purchase. But if you’re the primary member, you can assign the free household card to one other person in your home.
3) They take their membership cards seriously.

In order to keep down fraud, Costco is serious about the member having a card with a “recognizable, unobstructed full face view” to be valid. If your card doesn’t have a photo, you’ll need to show a passport or another U.S.-issued photo ID to verify it’s you.
4) Costco doesn’t accept coupons.

Sorry if you love couponing because it’s not an option here. Costco doesn’t accept coupons because they already provide the lowest prices they can offer.
6) You can buy wine and spirits at many Costco stores.

Many—though not all— Costco stores offer wine and spirits at amazing prices. Local regulations in states such as Pennsylvania prohibit these sales, but in the rest of the country, you can score some pretty awesome deals on wine and spirits.
7) You can return items you purchased online in the store.

There’s no need to spend money on expensive return shipping fees!
8) They only accept VISA cards for credit card transactions.

It’s fine to use cash, check, or mobile payment such as Apple Pay at Costco. But the only credit card they accept currently is VISA.
9) Non-members can shop online.

Some merchandise can be purchased online by members or non-members. But non-members will pay 5 percent more.
11) You can get a price adjustment if a price drops.

Although Costco doesn’t price match with other retailers or Costco.com, if you notice an item you bought has a price drop within 30 days of purchase, you can get a price adjustment.
12) Pets should be left at home.

Although some stores have been relaxing the rules in recent years—and you’ll often see pets in many big box retailers—you should leave your pet at home when you go to Costco. Unless you have a service animal, your pet isn’t permitted in Costco warehouses unless required by law.