Millions of Americans will no longer be able to visit a Costco shop. The ring has begun introducing a new entry control program that replaces the standard membership cards with an electric confirmation process in an effort to stop misuse of shared accounts and ensure strict compliance with its regulations.
In a number of trees, the change is already in place, and it will grow even more. The business claims that the company's goal is to prevent fraud by loaning memberships and facilitate the passage of reputable clients.
You can see the Costco account needs, costs, and benefits in 2026.
How did Costco's fresh location look?
Customers will need to check their membership, either online or physical, on electronic readers installed at the entrance rather than the employee at the entry.
An individual will check whether the membership matches the person trying to enter when the membership has been scanned. The victim's image is frequently displayed in the system to stop unauthorized users from using the account in some cases.
The company reminds that membership is personal and that only holders and additional registered users can use it to make purchases.
You can see: Costco, Sam's Club or Walmart : which membership is best to save in 2026
Why Costco made this decision
Costco derives a significant portion of its revenue from annual dues paid by its members. Over the past few years, the company has detected an increase in card lending among family and friends, a practice that violates the terms of service.
The implementation of scanners is part of a broader strategy to protect that business model and improve control in stores without affecting the shopping experience of those with a valid membership.
At the same time, Costco continues to drive usage of its mobile app. In addition to carrying the digital card, users can check promotions, review their recent purchases and access different functions without having to carry the physical credential.
Although the change may cause some delays while customers get used to the new system, the company maintains that the scanning process takes just a few seconds and that, once the implementation is complete, access will be even faster than with the traditional method.
