Where to redeem your Costco Rewards Certificate
You redeem a Costco Rewards Certificate at the register when you check out at any Costco warehouse. The cashier scans or enters the certificate number, and the discount applies to your purchase right then. You do not need to do anything before you arrive — just bring the certificate (physical or digital) and your Costco membership card.
If you have a digital certificate, show it on your phone or print it out. If you have a physical certificate mailed to you, bring that. Either way, hand it to the cashier before they ring up your total. The certificate works on your entire purchase, not on individual items.
You can use only one certificate per transaction. If you have multiple certificates, you will need to make separate purchases or separate trips to use them all.
Key Takeaways
- Redeem your certificate at checkout by giving it to the cashier before they total your purchase.
- The certificate discount applies to your entire transaction, not to specific products.
- You can use a physical certificate or show a digital one on your phone or printed copy.
- Only one certificate can be used per transaction, so multiple certificates require separate checkouts.
- Your Costco membership card must be valid and scanned at checkout for the certificate to work.
Digital versus physical certificates
Costco sends some certificates by mail and others through your online account. Check your Costco.com account under "My Account" and then "Rewards" to see if you have a digital certificate waiting. Digital certificates show an expiration date and a certificate number you can reference at the register.
If you received a physical certificate in the mail, it will have the same information printed on it. You can bring the physical copy to the warehouse, or you can take a photo of it and show the photo to the cashier. Many cashiers will accept a clear photo on your phone if you do not have the physical certificate with you.
Digital certificates do not expire until the date printed on them, so you can redeem them anytime before that date. Physical certificates have the same expiration date printed on the front.
What happens at the register
Tell the cashier you have a Rewards Certificate before they start ringing up your items. Hand them the certificate or show it on your phone. The cashier will enter the certificate number into the register or scan it if it has a barcode.
The certificate amount will then appear as a discount on your receipt. Your total purchase price will be reduced by the certificate value. The cashier will process your payment for the remaining balance after the discount is applied.
Keep your receipt. It shows the certificate was used and the discount amount. If you have questions about the transaction later, the receipt is your proof.
Certificates that have expired or are about to expire
Costco will not accept a certificate after its expiration date has passed. Check the date on your certificate before you go to the warehouse. If it has already expired, you cannot use it.
If your certificate is expiring soon, use it on your next shopping trip. Costco does not extend expiration dates or issue replacements for expired certificates, so plan ahead if you have one with a date coming up in the next few weeks.
If you are unsure whether a certificate is still valid, call the Costco warehouse you plan to visit or check your online account. The date on the certificate itself is the final word on when it expires.
Using a certificate when you do not have your membership card
You need a valid Costco membership to use a Rewards Certificate. The cashier will scan your membership card at checkout. If you do not have your card with you, you can provide your membership number instead, and the cashier can look it up in the system.
If you do not have your membership number memorized, bring your card or a photo of it showing the number. Some Costco locations will accept a photo of your membership card on your phone if you cannot produce the physical card.
If your membership has expired, you will need to renew it before the certificate can be used. Costco will not explore a certificate discount to a non-member or an expired membership.
Certificates for specific product categories
Some Costco Rewards Certificates are limited to certain departments or product types — for example, a certificate that works only on groceries or only on gas. Check the fine print on your certificate to see if there are restrictions.
If your certificate has restrictions, you can only use it on items in that category. A grocery-only certificate will not work on electronics or clothing. The cashier's register will reject it if you try to use it on ineligible items.
If you are unsure whether an item qualifies, ask the cashier before checkout. They can tell you whether your certificate will work on the products in your cart.
What to do if the certificate does not work at checkout
If the cashier scans or enters your certificate and the register does not accept it, the most common reasons are an expired date, a membership that is not active, or a certificate number that was entered incorrectly. Ask the cashier to double-check the expiration date and your membership status.
If the certificate number was entered wrong, the cashier can try again. If the certificate is expired or your membership is inactive, you will not be able to use it that day. You can renew your membership at the membership desk, or you can come back another time if your certificate is not yet expired.
If you believe the certificate should have worked, take a photo of it and contact Costco customer service through your online account or by calling the warehouse directly. They can look into whether there was a system error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Costco Rewards Certificate online?
No. Costco Rewards Certificates can only be redeemed in person at a warehouse checkout. Online orders do not accept certificates. You must visit a physical Costco location to use one.
What if I lose my physical certificate?
If you received a digital certificate through your online account, you do not need the physical copy — you can show it on your phone or print a new copy anytime. If you received only a physical certificate and lost it, contact Costco customer service with your membership number. They may be able to issue a replacement, but this depends on your warehouse location.
Can I combine multiple certificates in one transaction?
No. Costco allows only one certificate per transaction. If you have multiple certificates, you will need to make separate purchases or return on different days to use them all.
Does the certificate work on sale items or discounted products?
Yes. The certificate discount applies to your total purchase price regardless of whether items are on sale. The discount is calculated after all other pricing, so you get the full certificate value off your final total.
What if my certificate amount is more than my purchase total?
Costco will not issue cash back for the unused portion of a certificate. The certificate will cover your entire purchase, but you will not receive money for the difference. You can use the remaining certificate value on a future trip if the certificate has not expired.