Costco Gift Card Policy: Expiration, Cashing Out, Balance Checks, and Lost Cards in 2026

Do Costco Gift Cards Expire?

No. Costco Shop Cards never expire. You can hold a card indefinitely without losing the balance. This applies to both physical Shop Cards and Digital Shop Cards purchased on Costco.com or received through promotions.

Can You Return a Costco Gift Card for Cash?

Costco Shop Cards are not redeemable for cash, except as required by law. Only eight states allow cash back, and only when your remaining balance drops below $5:

• Colorado
• Hawaii
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Montana
• New Jersey
• Oregon
• Washington

If you live in one of these states and your balance falls below $5, you may be entitled to request the funds as cash. If you live elsewhere, your only option is to spend the balance at Costco.

How to Check Your Costco Gift Card Balance

Members can check their balance online through Costco.com in three steps:

1. Go to the Costco.com homepage and locate the Costco Shop Card Balance option near the bottom of the page.
2. Enter your Shop Card number, which appears on the back of your physical card or in your Digital Shop Card email.
3. Enter the four-digit PIN also found on the back of the card or in your email.
4. Select Check Balance. Your balance will display immediately.

You can also check your balance at the membership counter in any Costco warehouse.

What Happens If Your Costco Gift Card Is Lost or Stolen?

If your Costco Shop Card is lost or stolen and you have proof of purchase, Costco will issue a replacement card with the current balance on record. Bring your proof of purchase to the membership desk at any Costco warehouse.

If you received an unclaimed property letter from Costco stating you have an unclaimed Shop Card and you lost that card, you have two options:

• Visit the membership counter at your local Costco warehouse within 30 days from the date on your letter to request a replacement Shop Card.
• Follow the instructions on the letter to receive a check refund instead.

If you miss the 30-day window, you must contact your state’s unclaimed property office to request the funds. Search your state name plus “unclaimed property” to find the appropriate agency website.

Activating Your Costco Shop Card

Shop Cards purchased on Costco.com arrive with a zero balance and must be activated before use. Call 1-866-781-1014 and follow the prompts. Have your ship-to phone number ready. If you ordered two or more cards, activate all of them before distributing to recipients.

If you received a Shop Card from a Costco promotion, visit costcoshopcard.com to activate it. For trouble activating, visit the membership desk at your local warehouse or call 1-800-774-2678 and select option 2, 2, then 3.

Digital Shop Cards do not require activation; they are ready to use immediately upon receipt.

Where You Can Use a Costco Shop Card

Physical and Digital Costco Shop Cards work at any Costco location in the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico, as well as online at Costco.com and Costco.ca. Non-members can use Shop Cards to shop at Costco, though you must be a member to purchase one.

One exception: Digital Shop Cards cannot be used at Food Court kiosks. Physical Shop Cards also cannot be redeemed at cell phone carrier kiosks inside Costco warehouses.

Reloading Your Costco Shop Card

You can reload a Shop Card only in person at any Costco warehouse register. Costco does not currently offer online reloading for physical or digital Shop Cards. Simply bring your card to any warehouse and a team member will add funds to it.

Daily Purchase Limit for Costco Shop Cards

Federal law limits the total value of gift cards you can purchase to $10,000 per day. This limit applies to all purchases made at Costco in a single day, whether in-person, online, or both.

Delivery Times for Costco Shop Cards

Physical Shop Cards ordered on Costco.com are processed the next business day and arrive via USPS First Class Mail in 7 to 10 business days. Expedited shipping via FedEx takes 3 to 5 business days and costs $12 extra. Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico add 2 additional business days to either option.

Digital Shop Cards are usually delivered within 2 hours but may take up to 1 to 2 business days to process. The email comes from [email protected], so add that address to your safe sender list to ensure delivery.

Key Differences: Physical vs. Digital Costco Shop Cards

Non-Refundable and Non-Transferable

Shop Cards are non-refundable once purchased. You cannot cancel an order or return a gift card for a refund. Additionally, you cannot transfer a Digital Shop Card to another person, and you cannot transfer the balance from a Digital Shop Card to a physical Shop Card.

Comparing Other Retailers’ Policies

Costco’s no-expiration policy is similar to competitors. For comparison, check the Target gift card policy and the Walmart gift card policy, both of which also offer cards that never expire in most cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Costco Shop Card to pay for a Costco membership? Yes. Shop Cards may be applied toward membership purchases and merchandise.

Can I use a Shop Card on Costco Next? Costco’s official page lists this as a frequently asked question but does not provide a direct answer in the available source material.

Can I use a Shop Card for a Same-day Delivery powered by Instacart order? Costco’s official page lists this as a frequently asked question but does not provide a direct answer in the available source material.

Can I purchase a Costco Shop Card with another Shop Card? No. You cannot use a Shop Card to purchase another Shop Card as payment.

What if I receive a Shop Card as a gift but it has no balance? Shop Cards arrive with a zero balance and must be activated by the purchaser before they have any value. If the purchaser did not activate the card, the recipient should contact the Costco store hours to reach the membership desk and request assistance, or the purchaser can call 1-866-781-1014 to complete activation.