What Happens to My Costco Membership When I Die?

Is a Costco membership something that can be inherited?

Not in the way property is. Costco’s Member Privileges and Conditions say the membership card is valid at any Costco warehouse and is not transferable, and that the primary member authorizes cardholder changes. But the membership doesn’t simply end, either. Costco publishes a “Deceased Primary” process to change the primary cardholder after a loss, so a surviving household member can usually keep the membership, according to a digital-estate platform’s summary of it.

Is there any refund for unused membership fees?

Yes. Costco’s satisfaction guarantee says it will refund the membership fee in full at any time if you are dissatisfied. The digital-estate platform says a refund can be given immediately at any warehouse counter or by calling Member Services at 1-800-774-2678. Costco can change its terms at any time, so confirm what applies when you contact it.

What if there’s a household cardholder on the same membership?

A household cardholder is the designated member of the household, 16 or older and living at the same address, who gets one free additional card. After a death, the usual route to keep the membership is to change the primary cardholder into their name, rather than opening a new membership. It can’t be done through live chat or on Costco.com, according to the digital-estate platform’s summary. Options are:

• At a warehouse membership desk, where a copy of the death certificate may be requested.
• By fax or mail to Member Services, including the membership number, the requester’s name, relationship to the primary member, and contact information.

If the membership is cancelled instead, the household card is cancelled with it. LegalClarity notes that only the primary member can normally cancel, with exceptions when the primary member has died, in which case an executor with a death certificate can handle it, or when someone holds power of attorney.

What should a family actually do?

Decide first whether the membership will be continued by a surviving household member or cancelled for a refund. Then contact Costco Member Services or go to a warehouse membership desk, and have the membership number, the death certificate, and your relationship to the member ready. If the person had an Executive membership, ask about any unredeemed annual reward, which the digital-estate platform suggests noting for the executor.

Does this affect any purchases already made, or pending orders?

We did not find Costco guidance on pending orders or returns after a membership changes hands. If there is an online order or a return in progress, ask Member Services how it will be handled. A Costco credit card, if the person had one, is a separate account with its issuing bank. See banks, credit cards, and bills after a death.

Is this similar to how other memberships and subscriptions work?

Broadly, yes - most individual retail and subscription memberships don’t transfer automatically, and a family typically needs to contact the company directly. But companies differ, and Costco is an example of one with a specific process. See our general guide on cloud photos and online subscriptions after a death for the broader pattern across various subscription types.

Costco’s specific membership and refund policies can change - contacting Costco membership services directly is the most reliable way to confirm what currently applies.