Costco Cash Cards

[pk1959]

I am trying to put together a bunch of gift cards for a Christmas gift for my son who lives way across the country from me. I was hoping to include a Costco gift card because I know he is a member and shops there often. We do not have Costco's here where we live and I have had no luck looking in any stores who sell gift cards. When I looked online, it said that you must be a member to purchase the cards which is ridiculous. Does anyone know how or where they can be bought? I am about to just give up.

 

[georgina]

I'm sorry you are having trouble, but I disagree that it is ridiculous for non-members to be prevented from buying cards.I know they are in the process of switching from AmEx to Visa, so I don't have any other recommendations for you. Amazon has a 100. one listed for 123.99 plus 4.99 shipping, which does seem ridiculous to me.

 

[LJSquishy]

Since he's a Costco member can you just ask him for his Costco member number? You should be able to create an account yourself but still using his member number (although I haven't tried it myself). If that doesn't work, I would give him cash and note that it's for groceries.

I'm not sure if it's new that you have to be a member to purchase Costco Cash Cards, but there have been numerous people here on The Dis (and obviously all over the US) that would cheat Costco by using the Costco Cash Cards instead of purchasing a Costco membership since they would allow you to buy merchandise without a membership if you had a Cash Card. This is probably one way they cut down on unethical people trying to "game the system" so I'm okay with it. I certainly understand why you're frustrated since you just want to buy them for your son who does have a membership.

 

[Madteaparty001]

They don't let non-members buy costco cash cards because you don't need a membership to spend them. People were abusing them by buying 1000's in gift cards and never buying a membership.

 

[Madteaparty001]

@LJSquishy lol you beat me to it.

 

[pk1959]

Since he's a Costco member can you just ask him for his Costco member number? You should be able to create an account yourself but still using his member number (although I haven't tried it myself). If that doesn't work, I would give him cash and note that it's for groceries.

I'm not sure if it's new that you have to be a member to purchase Costco Cash Cards, but there have been numerous people here on The Dis (and obviously all over the US) that would cheat Costco by using the Costco Cash Cards instead of purchasing a Costco membership since they would allow you to buy merchandise without a membership if you had a Cash Card. This is probably one way they cut down on unethical people trying to "game the system" so I'm okay with it. I certainly understand why you're frustrated since you just want to buy them for your son who does have a membership.

I had no idea there was a way to buy stuff without having a membership. Like I said before we don't have a Costco anywhere near where I live, so I was totally in the dark as to how they operated with their gift cards. I always thought businesses were thrilled to sell gift cards to their stores. I'll just spend the money on other stores gift cards I guess. Thanks to all who replied.

 

[Callie]

My mom buys me costco cash cards so I can go in and buy stuff since I can't be on the memership. I can understand them limiting it.