How you enter Costco is about to change

by Iman Palm and Alix Martichoux - 08/06/24 3:11 PM ET

(KTLA) – Costco has started using a new verification process for customers entering the warehouse stores. The company has started scanning membership cards at various locations as the wholesale retailer works to crack down on unauthorized membership usage.

The retailer has long done membership checks before entering, but began testing a new way to do it in January. Instead of just flashing your card to an employee as you walk in, they asked members to scan the back of their cards or their digital membership QR codes.

Now, the change appears to be rolling out nationally. In California, the new membership scanners have already been spotted at Costco locations in Huntington Beach and Inglewood. Locations contacted by Nexstar in New York, Florida and Pennsylvania said they will begin scanning cards soon, but did not specify a start date. One location in Texas said they would likely start next month.

Even after the new policy is in place, non-Costco members will still be able to enter the store if they’re accompanied by a member.

“If your membership is inactive, expired, or you would like to sign up for a new membership, the attendant will ask that you stop by the membership counter prior to entering the warehouse to shop. Additionally, if your membership card does not have a photo, please be prepared to show your valid photo ID. We encourage you to stop by the membership counter to have a photo taken to have on your card,” Costco said in a statement.

Last year, Costco announced that it was instructing employees to spot-check for membership cards in self-checkout lines to help crack down on unauthorized card-sharing.

“We don’t feel it’s right that non-members receive the same benefits and pricing as our members,” the company said in a statement to Business Insider. “As we already asked for the membership card at checkout, we are now asking to see their membership card with their photo at our self-service checkout registers.”

For those interested in becoming paying Costco members, the company’s Gold Star membership costs $60 and the Executive membership costs $120. Those prices are expected to increase on Sept. 1.