First Impression
I’ll be honest, the first time I opened this app I felt a little lost. I’m 68 and retired, so I don’t have the patience for hunting around for buttons. I remember sitting at my kitchen table on a Tuesday morning with my coffee, trying to find my digital membership card. It took me a good five minutes of tapping around until I found it tucked away under a menu I didn’t expect. The font could be bigger, and some of the icons are small. But once I figured out where things live, it started to make sense. It’s not the most beautiful app I’ve ever used, but it gets the job done if you give it a little time.
What It Does Well
The best part for me is having my membership card right on my phone. I used to carry the plastic card in my wallet, but I’d always forget it at home when I ran out for just one thing. Now I just pull up the app at the register and the cashier scans it. That alone has saved me a few trips back home. I also like being able to check warehouse hours without calling. My daughter showed me how to use the store locator, and now I check it before heading to the one on Main Street, especially since they changed their Sunday hours last month. The shopping list feature is handy too. I can add items while I’m watching TV and then pull it up in the store. It keeps me from wandering the aisles and forgetting why I came.
Where It Falls Short
The app is a bit cluttered if you ask me. There’s just too much going on. I don’t need personalized recommendations or flashing banners about deals I’m not interested in. I want to see my list, my card, and maybe the gas station price. That’s it. The search function also drives me crazy sometimes. I typed in “paper towels” the other day and got twenty pages of results, half of which were not paper towels. I had to call my grandson to help me filter it down. Also, the app can be slow. I stood at the checkout line on a busy Saturday and the barcode wouldn’t load for almost a minute. The lady behind me was not happy. That kind of thing makes me want to just go back to using the card.
Is It Worth the Price?
Well, it’s free, so you can’t beat that. You do need a Costco membership to log in, but if you already have one, the app doesn’t cost you anything extra. I’d say it’s worth having on your phone just for the digital card and the store hours alone. But if you’re someone who doesn’t like fiddling with technology, it might not save you a ton of time. For me, it’s a nice extra tool but not something I rely on every day. I still prefer walking around the warehouse and seeing things in person. That’s the real Costco experience.
Developer & Support
I contacted support once because my digital card wasn’t showing up after I renewed my membership. I sent an email on a Wednesday and got a reply the following Monday. That’s about four or five days, which felt a little slow. But when they did respond, the person was very polite and walked me through logging out and back in. It solved the problem right away. I wish they had a phone number to call, though. I don’t like typing out my problems in an email. I’d rather just talk to someone. Still, they fixed it, so I can’t complain too much.
Privacy & Safety
I don’t worry too much about this stuff, but I know my daughter does. She told me to make sure I don’t save my credit card info in the app, so I don’t. I only use the digital card feature and I log out when I’m done. The app asks for permission to use my location, which I said yes to because it helps find the nearest store. It also wants to send notifications, but I turned those off. I don’t need my phone buzzing every time there’s a sale on rotisserie chickens. As far as I can tell, it seems safe enough for everyday use. Just use common sense like anywhere else online.
How do I find my digital membership card in the Costco app?
Open the app and look for a menu icon, often in the top or bottom corner. Your digital card is usually tucked away under a menu labeled 'Account' or 'Membership'—it may take a few taps to locate, but once you find it, you can access it quickly at checkout.
Can I use the Costco app to check warehouse hours and make a shopping list?
Yes, the app includes a store locator that shows warehouse hours, which is great for checking changes like Sunday hours. You can also create a shopping list by adding items while at home, then pull it up in the store to avoid wandering the aisles.
Why is the Costco app search showing irrelevant results, and how can I fix it?
The search function can return many unrelated items—for example, typing 'paper towels' might show half the results that aren't paper towels. To narrow it down, use the filter options (like category or brand) after searching, or ask a tech-savvy friend to help you refine your search terms.
What should I do if my digital membership card won't load or is slow at checkout?
If the barcode doesn't load quickly, try closing and reopening the app, or check your internet connection. For persistent issues, contact Costco support via email—though responses may take a few days, they are polite and helpful once they reply.
How does the Costco app compare to using a physical membership card?
The app is free and saves you from forgetting your plastic card at home, as you can scan the digital card at the register. However, it can be slow or cluttered, and if you prefer simplicity, the physical card might be more reliable—especially during busy times when the app's barcode may lag.
