How to use Costco or Sam's Club without membership fees

Are you looking to shop there just once, or regularly?

If it's a one-time trip, your best bet is getting someone with a membership to take you in as a guest. Most clubs let cardholders bring one or two people along, and you can buy stuff with their card. Some locations are stricter about this than others, so it depends on the warehouse. Another option: ask a friend if you can borrow their physical card for a quick visit - not all locations scan ID, so it might work.

For regular shopping without paying membership yourself, you could split a membership with someone and share the card, though technically that's against their rules. Costco also offers discounted or free trial memberships sometimes, especially around holidays or if you sign up online - worth checking their site. Sam's Club has similar promotions now and then. Neither warehouse is strict about checking receipts at the door the way they used to be, but they do verify membership at checkout, so there's no real way around it long-term unless you've got someone's card or a guest pass. If price is the main concern, Costco's annual fee isn't huge compared to what most people save on bulk purchases, so it often pays for itself fast.