FREE COSTCO Wholesale Membership for Military (During Government Shutdown)

Hip2Save may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you via trusted partners and affiliate links in this post. Prices and availability are accurate as of time posted. Read our full disclosure policy here.

UPDATE: You may want to call your local Costco ahead of time as it appears from reading the comments that this offer isn’t available at all Costco Wholesale Clubs.  🙁

Calling all you wonderful Military Personnel! In addition the FREE membership that you can score at Sam’s Club during the government shutdown, I just found out that you can also head on over to your local COSTCO Wholesale Club to shop (No Membership Needed!) during government shutdown as well. Just be sure to bring in a valid Military I.D card. Read more here.

“COSTCO welcomes military ID card holders. Due to the government shutdown and closing of the commissaries, COSTCO will allow military ID card holders to shop at their stores — even if they are not members already.”

(Thanks, Sue!)

Join The Discussion

Comments 29

  1. Sarah

    This post confuses me. The title leads me to believe Military get a free membership during this “shut down”, but in reading the post I’m told they can shop there with no membership needed. Which is it? Thanks!

    • Tarri

      Sam’s Club you get free membership. Costco, they let you shop without membership by showing your Military ID. That is they way I read it.

      • Amber

        Sams just let you shop free too, you didn’t actually get a membership. But if your military you can buy your membership for $45 and get a $15 gift card back.

    • mrsgarfield

      I was confused like you but when my husband went he was told that this is a temporary membership that allows you to shop there only during the shutdown. (I am talking about Sam’s club). On the Sam’s deal page someone mentioned that Sam’s usually gives $10 discount to military any time.

      • Sarah

        Thanks so much!!

  2. tracy

    o cool. I don’t think I have been in a Costco before. I will tell my mom. I would go but my military id had expired. cant get it renewed right now ha

  3. Anna

    I know that this is very regional but it’s a huge discount.The Florida Aquarium is giving 2 free admissions with 1 government id during the shutdown. My husband and I and our 2 year old daughter went yesterday for free. Usually the adult ticket alone is $22

    • megan

      the monterey bay aquarium (one of the best aquariums in the world!) is giving free admission to any military or goverment worker because of the shutdown. the tickets are usually 35.00+ and its a wonderful place. children under 3 get in free. my hubby is taking our son later today!

  4. Meghan E

    My local Sam’s club will allow you to shop without a surcharge for the day, but they are not giving out free memberships. I called the Sterling, VA location to get this information.

  5. Brittany

    Does this include retired and disabled military? Or just active?

    • Diana

      I’m wondering the same thing is this only for active duty?

      • Katy

        It should be to all since retired/disabled too have the right to go to a commissary and other rights that active duty has

    • Jennifer B.

      If you have a valid military ID (retired included), then you are eligible to shop at Sam’s (and now Costco) without purchasing a membership and without paying any upcharge (like Sam’s normally charges). The concept is that while the commissaries are closed these businesses are offering us a shopping option. That is also probably why this hasn’t been offered to furloughed federal employees.

    • mrsgarfield

      It is for everyone with a military ID. My husband is retired and he got one for Sam’s. We already have Costco membership. After checking out Sam’s I think I prefer Costco.

  6. Teetee20055

    I agree with Megan. My SAMs Club did the same on Friday.

  7. dawn

    Nice! I am glad to here it.

  8. cannielle

    Just called my local Costco and they had no idea.

  9. Rachael

    the comissary is back open starting monday morning. so does that mean they will stop honoring it tomorrow or will the continue until the shutdown ends?

    • KC

      Rachael, Where did you see the commissaries are opening tomorrow? I haven’t heard this. 🙂

  10. TL Ennen

    My costco flat out told me NO!!! The manager would not even call corporate to verify it either. So sad. Guess I’m stuck with Sams. But I hear Commissaries should reopen this week.

  11. Teetee20055

    Our com missionary reopens on Tuesday. Check your local base Facebook page. I also belong to a com missionary blog on WUC and they are reporting the same.

  12. emj

    Fun fact: you DON’T need a membership to shop at Costco, you just need a Costco Cash Card (gift card). You just need to know a member who can buy these for you. That’s what I have done for years 🙂

    • Cannielle

      Me too. I shop there with cash card a lot prior Couponing days…….

  13. Lacy

    This is kinda false…the local Costco’s here (Central CA) are NOT participating in this promo. I have a membership already but I know several military wives who were kinda mad to go to Costco and get turned away. I think they took their business across the street to SAM’s. Sooo buyer beware…this is a VERY REGIONAL PROMO!!

  14. Delaina910

    Sam’s Club is doing this now and allows you to shop free until shutdown is over.

  15. Rachel R

    My local Costco let my hubby and me in, but said no when we tried to check out. Right across the street from Sam’s Club, who let us in and had no problem checking us out. We know now who we will be getting a membership with when this whole shutdown resolves.

  16. Sandy

    What about dependent ID cards? My husband is in Bahrain and me and the kids are here in DC.

  17. mukunda basnet

    Active military get free membership from online or in costco store too and till how long?

  18. Jennifer B.

    My guess is these offers are no longer being extended because the commissaries were reopened this week under a DoD exclusion.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

It's not your Grandma's coupon site!

Sign up for a Hip2Save account (it's free) to access all of the awesome features!

Forgot Password?

Don't have an account? Register

Forgot Password

Don't have an account? Register

Become a Hip2Save Insider

Don't Miss Out! Join our large community of insiders - it's totally free! Once you join, you'll be able to save & share your favorite deals, rate posts and recipes and add items to your HipList and Cookbook! What are ya waiting for?!



Already have an account? Login

Thank you for rating!

Would you also like to leave us a comment?