Costco Australia members are making the same error with the digital card. Here is the fix

Costco at Marsden Park in Sydney is my local, and I consider myself very lucky to live just 20 minutes from it because it means I can pop in-store whenever I like.

I usually end up going at least once a month to stock up on grocery staples, like passata, rice, beef mince, eggs, and the freeze dried fruit snacks my daughter loves.

Yesterday, however, when I attempted yet another 'pop in' I learned a very hard lesson about how strict Costco is when it comes to their membership rules.

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I decided not to bring my handbag with me for my trip to Costco; in fact, I've been leaving my handbag behind for most shopping trips because these days everything I need is on my phone.

Except, my Costco membership card was in my purse that was in my handbag, and I hadn't yet set up my digital Costco membership card on the app.

It wasn't until I'd parked my car that I realised what I'd done. I quickly checked to see if my Costco membership card was in my digital wallet, but it wasn't.

I told my partner Shamus I had to "quickly set up my digital membership card" before we went in because I'd left my physical card at home. He said "no problem" and went to get a trolley.

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I'd already downloaded the Costco app, so I thought it would be really easy to sign in and access my digital membership card. I expected it would be a digital version of the card I already had, as this had been my experience with other digital membership cards.

You just sign into the app and there it is!

Except Costco does things differently, and I was given a reminder of just how strict Costco membership rules can be while standing in the carpark trying to set up my digital membership card.

After signing into the app, I had to take a new photo which uploaded directly into the Costco app. Once that was uploaded, it said my digital membership card was "pending" and I'd have to go to the membership desk to "verify" it.

I assumed this was just a formality, as I already had access to my membership account via the app, but that was not the case.

I was asked to show "photo ID with my address", a driver's licence, which was also sitting in my purse at home.

I still hadn't set up my digital driver's license and considering how much more difficult setting up a Costco digital ID had turned out to be, I decided not to attempt it on the spot and chose to drive home to get my physical Costco digital ID instead.

So, not the 20 minute 'pop in' I had originally planned.

Shamus, who had been waiting patiently at the entrance with a trolley, had to put the trolley back.

While driving back home it did occur to me that my membership might be flagged while entering the warehouse. These days you have to scan your membership card whereas previously you simply showed it to the staff member.

Perhaps my ordeal had resulted in a flag, and I'd have to go back to the membership desk to continue verifying my digital ID before I could even go shopping?

It turns out, not. I was able to enter the store with my physical card and get my shopping done.

I then verified my digital ID on my way out of the warehouse which was easy enough to do as the membership desk is right near the exit, and by then I was halfway through one of the kiosk's choc chip cookies and was in a much better mood.

Shamus got his usual hotdog, and a slice of pizza that was the equivalent of an entire pizza!

I'd also brought my birth certificate, passport, and an electricity bill with my address on it, just in case.

A Costco Member Care representative later explained: "To set up your digital membership card, members typically use the Costco app and then visit their nearest warehouse to activate the digital membership.

"While the process usually involves presenting your physical membership card, staff may request photo identification with your address to verify your identity, especially if the physical card is not available.

"This helps ensure the security of your membership. If you have your physical membership card with you, it generally suffices for most membership services, but having photo ID on hand is always helpful in case further verification is needed."

The lesson is, never assume anything is easy when it comes to Costco memberships.

The rules are strict, for a reason. It sells bulk purchases for discount prices and for that privilege, you need to pay $65 a year.

And there are many other membership rules to observe.

For example, Costco memberships in Australia are non-transferable and require a photo ID, with strict enforcement preventing family or partners from using another's card. Only members can make purchases.

Members can bring two guests and as many kids as they like, but only the cardholder can make purchases.

A free household card is available for spouse or partner living at the same address.

And now, if you want to set up a digital membership card you need to show a photo ID. At least that was the case at the Marsden Park warehouse.

And by the way, Costco membership cards, even digital ones, can't be added to your digital wallet as per the Costco website which explains: "At this stage, your digital membership can only be accessed through the Mobile App."

Costco Australia has been contacted for comment.

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