No Membership? 7 Clever Ways to Shop at Costco (and Other Stores) Without the Annual Fee

Memberships to warehouse retailers like Costco or Sam's Club can help you save money on groceries as well as travel, insurance, or business services. If you don't have a membership, you'll miss out on some deals, but you can still get others.

There are some tricks on how to take advantage of the low costs of a warehouse retailer without having a membership card. Here's how to shop like a member, without paying the annual fee.

Give Sam's Club a test run with a one-day guest membership to see if the retailer is a good fit for your budget.

The trial membership only works on SamsClub.com and the company's mobile app, and there will be a 10% upcharge on all products. If you like it, you can elect for a full membership, and Sam's Club will drop the 10% upcharge.

BJ's Wholesale Club also offers a one-day shopping pass to give you a feel for their products.

Pharmacies at places like Costco and Sam's Club will fulfill your prescriptions without a member card. You can also get immunizations from the pharmacy for a reduced price, such as shots for the flu or shingles.

Consider getting your hearing and vision checked without a Sam's or Costco membership (although you will need a membership card, for example, to buy glasses or hearing aids).

Pro tip: If you do end up paying for a membership at Costco, make sure you're using money-saving Costco hacks to lessen the blow of the fee.

Before heading to your local warehouse store to buy alcohol, keep in mind that some states prohibit the sales of alcohol through a club or membership. 

But if your state allows it, and you're trying to stay on budget for your next barbecue, you may be able to pick up drinks at Costco, Sam's, or BJ's without a membership card.

Pro tip: One of the most common Costco mistakes is buying name brands at the store. Costco's Kirkland Signature brand may be a good alternative to try when buying wine.

Do you have a friend with a membership to Costco, Sam's Club, or another membership retailer? Some stores might allow you to shop without a membership if you have a gift card for their business. 

Check your local store first, then ask your friend to pick you up a gift card so you can shop.

People love Sam's Club's cafe selections, and many stores feature items such as hot dogs, pizza, and pretzels. These tasty treats are usually reasonably priced and likely won't blow a hole in your budget. 

They also can be accessed without a membership, so take advantage of their affordable items on your lunch break or if you need to pick up dinner.

Costco, though, requires a membership to purchase from their food court.

Sam's Club and Costco both allow their members to bring two guests into their warehouses. Be that guest!

If you know someone with a membership, ask to tag along on their next shopping trip. Only members can make purchases (unless you're buying alcohol, prescription medication, or other select products), but you'll be able to test out the retail experience.

If you like what you see, maybe you'll shell out for a membership down the line.

Another way to save money when shopping online is to use Amazon instead of going to a warehouse retailer. 

But in early 2022, Amazon announced it was increasing its Prime membership to $139 yearly, or $14.99 monthly. That's up from $119 for a year or $12.99 per month.

If you cancel your membership, you may still be able to get Prime-like benefits, but there are some caveats. You may need to seek out items that are eligible for free shipping or bundle items to reach a certain minimum to avoid those fees.

Pro tip: If you're trying to save money but still want to stream a few shows or movies on Amazon Prime Video, here's a potentially money-saving Amazon hack: You can rent or purchase individual titles from the Prime Video website. Depending on how much you watch, this might be more cost-effective than signing up for Prime.

You don't need a membership card to take advantage of member benefits at places like Costco, Sam's Club, BJ's Wholesale, or other retailers. But be aware that you may not have the full benefits available to you that a member may be able to receive. 

Do some research and check with your local retailer to see what options are available to you and what discounts can help you get ahead financially.