Everyone loves a good deal, especially when it's for everyday essential items. Costco is a popular warehouse club known for offering high-quality but discounted everyday items and other living essentials such as household equipment, pharmaceuticals, and more.
As a membership-only shopping store, they offer a referral program to encourage members to tell friends to shop at Costco. This blog discusses what you need to know about the Costco Referral Program.
What Is The Costco Referral Program?
Costco offers a membership referral program where existing members can refer friends or family to join Costco.
Under this program, if an existing Costco member refers to someone who signs up for a new Costco membership, the existing member will receive a $10-$20 Costco Shop Card as a reward. The exact amount of the Shop Card may vary based on location and current promotions.
It is important to note that this program is only available for new members and cannot be used for renewing existing memberships.
Benefits Of Participating In The Program
There are many benefits to participating in the program, both for the existing member and the new member.
- You’ll both receive a reward that you can use to save on Costco purchases or treat yourself to something you’ve always wanted.
- You are helping your friend save on everyday purchases because Costco is known for offering high-quality products at lower prices.
- You’ll be supporting Costco and helping the company grow, ensuring it can keep offering its current competitive prices.
- You’ll strengthen your relationships with family members and friends since you’ve provided them with a valuable recommendation.
Membership Cards
Costco membership cards are physical cards that are issued to individuals who sign up for a Costco membership. These cards serve as proof of membership and must be presented at the time of purchase to receive the benefits and discounts offered to Costco members.
Types Of Membership Cards
There are two types of Costco membership cards:
- Gold Star Membership Card: This is the basic Costco membership card that costs $60 annually. It allows you to shop at any Costco location worldwide and purchase products at discounted prices. You can also apply for a second card for a household member who lives at the same address.
- Executive Membership Card: This is an upgraded Costco membership that costs $120 annually. It includes all the benefits of a Gold Star Membership Card, plus additional benefits such as an annual 2% reward on eligible Costco purchases (up to $1,000), extra discounts on select Costco services, and more.
Both types of membership cards can be used to shop in-store or online at Costco. In addition, Costco offers a digital membership card option that can be accessed through the Costco app. This allows you to use your phone to check out at Costco instead of using a physical membership card.
Activating A Membership Card
To activate a new Costco membership card, you can do one of the following:
- Activate online: Visit Costco's website and click on the "Join/ Login" button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Then, select "Activate Membership Card" and follow the prompts to enter your membership information and create an account.
- Activate in-store: Bring your new Costco membership card to any Costco location and present it at the membership counter. A Costco employee will then activate your card and provide you with your membership information.
Once your membership card is activated, you can begin shopping at Costco and taking advantage of the discounts and benefits offered to members. If you have any issues activating your membership card, you can contact Costco's customer service for assistance.
Referral Links And Successful Referrals
Costco does not have a traditional referral program with referral links. Instead, existing members can refer friends or family members through the "Refer a Friend" by going to the Membership counter at a Costco store.
How Refer-A-Friend Works
To successfully refer a person to Costco, you must go to a Membership counter at any Costco store simultaneously. You’ll be asked to present your membership card, and your friend will have to produce a valid ID, then complete the application form.
Expired members cannot refer a person to the Refer-A-Friend promotion, nor can they sign up under the referral program. Only new members are considered valid referrals. An expired member must wait at least 18 months before being considered a new member eligible for the referral promotion.
The new membership must be activated for both of you to receive your reward, which is nontransferrable and can’t be combined with other promotions.
Rewards For Successful Referrals
Rewards vary per location and per program. For example, the Costco US Refer-A-Friend program offered a $10 voucher for both existing and new members. Costco Canada offered a $50 voucher for a referral that signed up under the Executive Membership Card and a $20 voucher for a referral that got the Gold Star card.
Maximum Number Of Referrals
Costco allows existing members to make a maximum of 2 referrals per primary member per year.
Shopping With Costco Shop Cards And Credit Cards
Costco Shop Cards and credit cards are two different payment options that can be used when shopping at Costco.
A Costco Shop Card is a gift card that can be purchased at Costco or online and can be used to make purchases in-store or online. You can use a Costco Shop Card to pay for all or part of your purchase at checkout.
Using The Shop Card At Costco Stores And Gas Stations
You can use your Costco Shop Card to make purchases at any Costco location, including Costco gas stations. When making a purchase in-store, simply present your Shop Card at the register, and the balance on the card will be applied to your purchase. If the balance on your Shop Card is less than the total amount of your purchase, you can pay the remaining balance with another payment method, such as cash, a debit card, or a credit card.
If you use your Shop Card to purchase gasoline at a Costco gas station, insert your card at the pump before fueling up. The card balance will be debited for the amount of fuel you purchase up to the maximum value of the card. If your Shop Card balance is insufficient to cover the full cost of your gasoline purchase, you can use another form of payment to cover the remaining balance.
It's important to note that Costco Shop Cards cannot be used to purchase other gift cards or to pay for membership fees. In addition, Shop Cards are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash, except in states where cash redemption is required by law
Accepted Credit Cards For Purchases
Credit cards are also accepted at Costco, including Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. However, Costco only accepts credit cards that are part of the Visa network, so if you have a Mastercard or Discover card, you will not be able to use it at Costco. In addition, Costco has its own branded credit card, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, which offers cashback rewards on eligible purchases at Costco and other retailers.
When shopping with a credit card at Costco, you may be required to show your membership card as well as a photo ID. This is to ensure that only Costco members and their authorized household members are able to make purchases at the store.
Other Services Available With A Membership Card
In addition to discounted products and services, Costco membership also includes access to a variety of other services. Here are some examples:
- Costco Travel: Costco members can use Costco Travel to book vacation packages, cruises, rental cars, and more at discounted prices.
- Costco Gasoline: Get member-exclusive prices on gasoline that meets TOP TIER performance standards
- Costco Pharmacy: Costco Pharmacy provides prescription and over-the-counter medications at competitive prices.
- Costco Grocery Delivery: Enjoy Same Day or 2-day door-to-door delivery services for purchases made online.
- Costco Business Center: Costco Business Center provides business owners with bulk products and services, including office supplies, restaurant supplies, and printing services.
These are just a few examples of the many services available to Costco members. To learn more about the services offered at your local Costco location, visit the Costco website or speak with a Costco representative at the membership counter.
Conclusion
Costco membership offers a wide range of benefits and discounts, including access to discounted products and services, as well as a variety of other services, such as travel, optical, pharmacy, and photo printing. While Costco does not have a traditional referral program, existing members can still refer friends and family members to join, and may receive a reward in the form of a Costco Shop Card.
Whether you're shopping in-store or online, using a Costco Shop Card or a credit card, there are many ways to take advantage of the discounts and benefits available to Costco members. With so many options available, a Costco membership can be a valuable investment for many individuals and families.
