Use Family Member's Costco Card: The Ultimate Guide | Hot History

Alec Huels 22 Jun 2025

Can You Use a Family Member's Costco Card? While Costco is known for its exclusive membership policy, members are allowed to add additional cardholders to their account. The primary cardholder can add a spouse or domestic partner, as well as children over the age of 18 who live at the same address. Additional cardholders have the same privileges as the primary cardholder, including the ability to make purchases, use the Costco pharmacy, and access Costco services.

There are several benefits to adding a family member to your Costco membership. First, it allows other family members to shop at Costco without having to pay for a separate membership. Second, it can help you save money on bulk purchases. If you and your family members frequently buy the same items, it can be more cost-effective to purchase them in bulk at Costco. Third, it can give you peace of mind knowing that your family members have access to quality products and services at a discounted price.

If you are considering adding a family member to your Costco membership, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, the additional cardholder must live at the same address as the primary cardholder. Second, the additional cardholder must be at least 18 years old. Third, the additional cardholder will need to provide their own photo ID when they use their Costco card.

Overall, adding a family member to your Costco membership can be a great way to save money and make shopping more convenient. If you have family members who live with you and are at least 18 years old, it is definitely worth considering adding them to your membership.

Can You Use a Family Member's Costco Card

Costco's membership policy allows primary cardholders to add additional cardholders to their account, including family members. These additional cardholders have the same privileges as the primary cardholder, including the ability to make purchases, use the Costco pharmacy, and access Costco services.

Authorized users: Additional cardholders must be authorized by the primary cardholder.
Age requirement: Additional cardholders must be at least 18 years old.
Residency requirement: Additional cardholders must live at the same address as the primary cardholder.
Benefits: Additional cardholders can enjoy the same benefits as the primary cardholder, including discounts on bulk purchases and access to Costco services.
Convenience: Having an additional cardholder can make shopping at Costco more convenient, especially for families with multiple members who frequently shop there.
Cost savings: Adding a family member to your Costco membership can help you save money on bulk purchases, especially if you and your family members frequently buy the same items.

1. Authorized users

This requirement is in place to prevent unauthorized use of Costco memberships. Only the primary cardholder and authorized additional cardholders are allowed to use the membership to make purchases or access Costco services. This helps to protect the primary cardholder from fraud and unauthorized charges.

In order to add an additional cardholder to a Costco membership, the primary cardholder must provide the additional cardholder's name, address, and date of birth. The additional cardholder will then be issued their own Costco card. Additional cardholders must be at least 18 years old and must live at the same address as the primary cardholder.

Authorized users can enjoy the same benefits as the primary cardholder, including discounts on bulk purchases and access to Costco services. They can also make purchases and use the Costco pharmacy without the primary cardholder being present.

It is important to note that authorized users are not financially responsible for purchases made on the primary cardholder's account. However, the primary cardholder is responsible for all purchases made by authorized users.

2. Age requirement

The age requirement for additional Costco cardholders is 18 years old. This is because Costco considers 18 to be the age of majority, and minors are not legally able to enter into contracts. As a result, only adults who are 18 years or older can be added as additional cardholders to a Costco membership.

This age requirement is important for several reasons. First, it helps to protect Costco from fraud and unauthorized purchases. Minors are more likely to make impulsive purchases or to be influenced by peer pressure, which could lead to financial problems for the primary cardholder. Second, the age requirement helps to ensure that additional cardholders are financially responsible for their own purchases. Minors are not legally able to enter into contracts, so they cannot be held responsible for debts incurred on a Costco membership.

There are some exceptions to the age requirement. For example, in some states, minors who are married or emancipated may be able to get a Costco membership in their own name. However, in most cases, the age requirement for additional cardholders is 18 years old.

If you are under the age of 18 and want to use a Costco membership, you can ask a parent or guardian to add you as an additional cardholder to their account. Once you are 18 years old, you can apply for your own Costco membership.

3. Residency requirement

Costco's residency requirement for additional cardholders is in place to prevent fraud and unauthorized use of memberships. By requiring additional cardholders to live at the same address as the primary cardholder, Costco can help to ensure that only authorized individuals are using the membership to make purchases or access Costco services.

Verification of identity: The residency requirement helps Costco to verify the identity of additional cardholders. When an additional cardholder applies for a Costco membership, they must provide proof of their identity and residency. This helps Costco to ensure that the additional cardholder is who they say they are and that they actually live at the same address as the primary cardholder.
Prevention of fraud: The residency requirement also helps to prevent fraud. By requiring additional cardholders to live at the same address as the primary cardholder, Costco can make it more difficult for unauthorized individuals to obtain and use a Costco membership. This helps to protect the primary cardholder from fraud and unauthorized charges.
Convenience for families: The residency requirement can also be a convenience for families. If all family members live at the same address, they can all be added to the same Costco membership. This makes it easier for families to shop at Costco and take advantage of the membership benefits, such as discounts on bulk purchases and access to Costco services.

Overall, the residency requirement for additional Costco cardholders is in place to protect the primary cardholder from fraud and unauthorized use of the membership. It also helps to verify the identity of additional cardholders and can be a convenience for families.

4. Benefits

The ability to add additional cardholders to a Costco membership is a valuable benefit for families. Additional cardholders can enjoy the same benefits as the primary cardholder, including discounts on bulk purchases and access to Costco services. This can save families a significant amount of money on groceries and other household items.

For example, a family of four could save hundreds of dollars per year by using a Costco membership. The average Costco membership costs $60 per year. However, the savings on bulk purchases can quickly offset the cost of the membership. For example, a family could save $50 per year on groceries by buying in bulk at Costco. They could also save $100 per year on gasoline by using the Costco gas station. In addition, Costco offers a variety of other services, such as optical, pharmacy, and travel services. These services can also save families money.

Overall, the ability to add additional cardholders to a Costco membership is a valuable benefit for families. Additional cardholders can enjoy the same benefits as the primary cardholder, including discounts on bulk purchases and access to Costco services. This can save families a significant amount of money on groceries and other household items.

5. Convenience

Costco is a warehouse club that offers a wide variety of products at discounted prices. However, in order to shop at Costco, you must have a membership. Memberships can be purchased for $60 per year. One of the benefits of a Costco membership is that you can add additional cardholders to your account. This can be a great convenience for families with multiple members who frequently shop at Costco.

For example, if you have a large family, you can add your spouse and children to your Costco membership. This will allow them to shop at Costco without having to purchase their own membership. This can save your family money, especially if you shop at Costco frequently.

In addition, having an additional cardholder can make shopping at Costco more convenient. For example, if you and your spouse both have Costco cards, you can split up the shopping and each take a cart. This can save you time and make shopping at Costco more efficient.

Overall, having an additional cardholder can make shopping at Costco more convenient and affordable for families with multiple members who frequently shop there.

6. Cost savings

Costco is a warehouse club that offers a wide variety of products at discounted prices. One of the benefits of a Costco membership is that you can add additional cardholders to your account, such as family members. This can be a great way to save money on bulk purchases, especially if you and your family members frequently buy the same items.

Discounted prices: Costco offers discounted prices on a wide variety of items, including groceries, electronics, and home goods. By adding a family member to your Costco membership, you can take advantage of these discounts on bulk purchases.
Bulk purchases: Costco is known for its bulk purchases. This means that you can buy items in large quantities at a discounted price. If you and your family members frequently buy the same items, it can be more cost-effective to purchase them in bulk at Costco.
Convenience: Having an additional cardholder can make shopping at Costco more convenient. For example, if you and your spouse both have Costco cards, you can split up the shopping and each take a cart. This can save you time and make shopping at Costco more efficient.

Overall, adding a family member to your Costco membership can be a great way to save money on bulk purchases, especially if you and your family members frequently buy the same items. It can also make shopping at Costco more convenient.

FAQs about Using Family Members' Costco Cards

Many Costco customers have questions about using family members' Costco cards, such as who is eligible to be an additional cardholder, what the benefits are, and what the rules are. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:

Question 1: Who is eligible to be an additional cardholder on a Costco membership?

Answer: Additional cardholders must be at least 18 years old and live at the same address as the primary cardholder. They can be spouses, domestic partners, or children.

Question 2: What are the benefits of adding an additional cardholder to my Costco membership?

Answer: Additional cardholders can enjoy the same benefits as the primary cardholder, including discounts on bulk purchases, access to Costco services, and the ability to make purchases and use the Costco pharmacy.

Question 3: Are there any restrictions on what additional cardholders can purchase?

Answer: Additional cardholders can purchase anything that the primary cardholder can purchase. However, they cannot use the Costco membership to make purchases for businesses or other organizations.

Question 4: What happens if an additional cardholder loses their card?

Answer: If an additional cardholder loses their card, they should contact the primary cardholder immediately. The primary cardholder can then report the lost card to Costco and request a replacement card.

Question 5: Can I add a non-family member to my Costco membership as an additional cardholder?

Answer: No, additional cardholders must be family members who live at the same address as the primary cardholder.

These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about using family members' Costco cards. For more information, please visit the Costco website or contact your local Costco store.

In addition to the FAQs above, here are some important things to keep in mind about using family members' Costco cards:

The primary cardholder is responsible for all purchases made by additional cardholders.
Additional cardholders cannot make changes to the primary cardholder's account.
If the primary cardholder cancels their membership, all additional cardholders will also lose their membership.

Overall, using family members' Costco cards can be a great way to save money and make shopping more convenient. However, it is important to understand the rules and regulations before adding an additional cardholder to your account.

Conclusion

Overall, the ability to add additional cardholders to a Costco membership can be a valuable benefit for families. Additional cardholders can enjoy the same benefits as the primary cardholder, including discounts on bulk purchases, access to Costco services, and the ability to make purchases and use the Costco pharmacy. This can save families a significant amount of money on groceries and other household items.

However, it is important to understand the rules and regulations before adding an additional cardholder to your account. The primary cardholder is responsible for all purchases made by additional cardholders. Additional cardholders cannot make changes to the primary cardholder's account. If the primary cardholder cancels their membership, all additional cardholders will also lose their membership.

If you are considering adding a family member to your Costco membership, it is important to weigh the benefits and costs. If you and your family members frequently shop at Costco and buy the same items, adding an additional cardholder can be a great way to save money. However, if you are not sure how often you will use your Costco membership, it may not be worth the cost of adding an additional cardholder.

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Most Viewed Stories

Use Family Member's Costco Card: The Ultimate Guide | Hot History

Can You Use a Family Member's Costco Card

1. Authorized users

2. Age requirement

3. Residency requirement

4. Benefits

5. Convenience

6. Cost savings

FAQs about Using Family Members' Costco Cards

Conclusion

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