You can cancel in person, by phone, or online, and Costco will refund your unused membership fee

Costco will cancel your membership and refund the unused portion of your annual fee if you ask them to. You do not need a reason. The refund is prorated based on how many months remain on your membership — if you paid $65 for a year and cancel after six months, you get roughly $32.50 back. The process takes a few minutes and can be done at a warehouse, over the phone, or through your online account.

The refund goes back to the payment method you used when you signed up. If you paid with a Costco Cash card or gift card, the refund appears as a credit on that card. If you paid with a credit card or debit card, it returns there. The refund typically posts within one to two weeks after cancellation.

Key Takeaways

  • You can cancel at any Costco warehouse by visiting the membership desk, or by calling 1-800-992-2683 during business hours.
  • Costco refunds the unused portion of your membership fee on a prorated basis, regardless of when you cancel during the year.
  • If you cancel online through your Costco account, the refund is processed immediately and you lose warehouse access right away.
  • Your membership card stops working as soon as cancellation is complete, so plan your final shopping trip before you cancel.
  • Costco does not require you to provide a reason for cancellation, and there are no penalties or fees for canceling early.

Canceling at a Costco warehouse

Walk into any Costco warehouse and go to the membership desk, usually located near the entrance or customer service area. Tell the staff member you want to cancel your membership. They will pull up your account using your membership card or phone number, confirm the refund amount, and process the cancellation on the spot.

Bring your membership card with you. If you do not have it, the staff can still find your account by your phone number or the email address associated with your membership. The cancellation takes about five minutes. Your card stops working immediately, so if you want to shop one last time, do that before you go to the desk.

Canceling by phone

Call Costco's membership services line at 1-800-992-2683. Have your membership card or the phone number on file ready. The representative will verify your identity, calculate your refund, and process the cancellation over the phone. The call typically takes five to ten minutes.

Phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pacific time, and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time. Wait times are usually shorter on weekday mornings. Your membership card stops working within a few hours of the phone cancellation.

Canceling through your online account

Log into your Costco account on the Costco website or mobile app. Go to your membership settings or account information section. Look for the option to manage or cancel your membership. Select the cancellation option and follow the prompts to confirm.

Online cancellation is immediate — your card stops working right away and your refund is processed automatically. This method is fastest if you want to cancel outside of warehouse hours or without speaking to anyone. The refund posts to your original payment method within one to two weeks.

What happens to your membership card and warehouse access

Your membership card becomes inactive as soon as cancellation is complete. You will not be able to enter the warehouse or make purchases after that point. If you have a household card linked to your membership, that card also stops working. Digital membership cards in the Costco app will no longer work either.

If you cancel online or by phone late in the day, your card may still work for a few hours until the system updates. To avoid confusion, plan your final shopping trip before you cancel, or cancel at the warehouse right after you finish shopping.

Refund timing and payment method

The refund amount depends on how many months remain on your membership. Costco calculates this by dividing your annual fee by 12 and multiplying by the number of unused months. If you paid $65 for a Gold Star membership and cancel after three months, you get back approximately $49.25.

The refund goes to the original payment method. If you paid with a credit card, debit card, or bank account, the refund appears there in one to two weeks. If you paid with a Costco Cash card or Costco gift card, the credit is added to that card's balance. If you paid with a different Costco member's card, the refund goes back to that card.

Reactivating a canceled membership

If you change your mind after canceling, you can rejoin Costco at any time by paying the full annual membership fee again. There is no waiting period or penalty. You start with a fresh membership year from the date you rejoin, not from your original sign-up date.

If you canceled within the last 30 days and want to rejoin, you can do so at the membership desk, by phone, or online. Your old account information may still be in the system, which can speed up the process, but you will pay the full fee regardless.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my Costco Cash balance when I cancel?

No. Any Costco Cash you have earned stays in your account. You can use it by logging into your account online or at the membership desk, even after your membership is canceled. However, you cannot use Costco Cash to shop in the warehouse once your membership is inactive.

What if I have a household card on my membership?

When you cancel the primary membership, all household cards linked to it stop working too. If the household cardholder wants to keep shopping, they can create their own separate membership and pay the full annual fee. The household card option is not available as a standalone membership.

Can I cancel a membership someone else paid for?

Only the person whose name is on the membership can cancel it. If someone else paid for your membership, you will need to contact Costco membership services and provide proof of identity. They can verify who is authorized to make changes to the account before processing a cancellation.

Will I get a refund if I cancel right before my renewal date?

Yes. Costco refunds the unused portion based on the exact date you cancel, not on renewal dates. If your membership renews in five days and you cancel today, you get a refund for those five days. The refund is calculated the same way regardless of timing.

What if I want to downgrade instead of cancel?

Costco allows you to downgrade from Gold Star to Gold Star Executive, or from Executive to Gold Star. You pay the difference between the two membership levels. Visit the membership desk, call 1-800-992-2683, or manage your membership online to change your membership tier without fully canceling.