Can I Shop at BJs Without My Membership Card?

Yes — if you’re already a BJ’s member and you just forgot your physical card, you can absolutely still shop that same day. The quickest fix is pulling up your digital membership card in the BJ’s app. No app handy? Head to the Member Services desk with your ID and they’ll look up your account for you. Trust me, I’ve done this more times than I’d like to admit.

Not a BJ’s member at all? That’s a totally different question — and the answer is a little more limited. You won’t get full member pricing and access, but there are a couple of ways to shop or browse. I’ll walk you through both situations below.

Forgot Your BJ’s Membership Card? Here’s What to Do

First, take a breath — a forgotten card is not a big deal at BJ’s. I forget mine constantly (it’s almost always sitting in the pocket of my other jacket at home). Here’s exactly what to do, easiest option first.

1. Pull up your digital card in the BJ’s app

If you’ve got the BJ’s app on your phone, this is the fastest fix by far. Open the app, pull up your membership barcode, and either scan it or type your membership number in at self-checkout. Done. I’ll show you exactly where to find it in the app in the next section.

2. Stop at Member Services with your ID

No app? No problem. Walk up to the Member Services desk, show your ID, and they’ll look up your membership and hand you a little slip with your membership number on it. The employees at my club have done this for me without blinking — one time they even printed me a brand-new card right on the spot.

3. Here’s what happens at checkout

If you’re at a regular register, just tell the cashier before you start ringing up. If you’re at self-checkout and realize your card isn’t on you, don’t panic — a team member can come over and get your order started with the yellow “forgot my card” slip. You can also swing by Member Services first, get set up, and then check out like normal.

One more thing: if your spouse or another household member is on your account, you can use their card too.

How to Find Your BJ’s Membership Card in the App

This is my go-to now, because my phone is always on me even when my wallet isn’t. Here’s how to pull up your digital card:

• Open the BJ’s app and tap the person icon in the top right corner
• Under your name at the top, tap “My Card”
• Your membership barcode and number will pop up on screen
• At self-checkout, scan the barcode or type the number in — or hand it to the cashier to enter for you

Quick heads-up: BJ’s tweaks the app every now and then, so if your menu looks a little different than what I described, just look for anything labeled “card,” “membership,” or “wallet” — it’s usually right under your name.

Can You Shop at BJ’s Without a Membership?

Okay — this is the other question hiding in here, and it’s a completely different situation from just forgetting your card.

Here’s the short version: you can walk in and browse most BJ’s clubs, but to actually buy anything inside the club, you need a membership. That’s the rule at pretty much every warehouse club.

That said, there are a couple of ways to shop without a full membership:

• BJ’s currently offers a 1-Day Pass option for people who don’t have a regular BJ’s membership. You’ll need to create an online account with your name and email address to access the pass.
• BJ’s doesn’t provide many details about the current 1-Day Pass on the public signup page, so I recommend checking the terms shown during signup before you shop. Promotions and non-member shopping policies can change over time.
• If you’re only curious about BJ’s, the 1-Day Pass may be worth checking out. But if you plan on shopping at BJ’s regularly, I’d compare it with the current membership promotion before deciding.
• Use a household card. If someone you live with is already a BJ’s member, their membership comes with a free second card for the household — so you could be added to their account.

Don’t have a membership yet? BJ’s is currently running a full one-year membership for just $14 — a good bit less than the regular price. If you’ve been on the fence, this is the cheapest way I know of to try it out and see if it’s worth it for your family. I’ve been a member for over 15 years, so… I might be a little biased. 😉

→ See the current $14 BJ’s membership deal here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can BJ’s look up my membership without my card?

Yes. Just head to the Member Services desk with a photo ID and they can pull up your account and get you shopping.

Can I use the BJ’s app instead of my physical card?

Yep! Your digital card lives right in the app under “My Card.” Scan the barcode or type the number in at checkout.

Can I shop at BJ’s without being a member?

You can browse in-club, but you’ll need a membership to actually buy anything inside the club. Non-members can shop BJs.com using a 1-day online pass.

Can I use someone else’s BJ’s membership card?

BJ’s memberships are tied to the person named on the account. That said, every membership includes a free household card you can give to someone you live with.

Can my spouse use my BJ’s membership?

Yes — as long as they’re set up as your free household cardholder. That second card comes included with your membership.

Do I need my membership for BJ’s Gas?

You’ll need an active membership to fuel up at BJ’s Gas — your physical card or the barcode/number in the app works at the pump.

Can I shop at BJs.com without a membership?

BJ’s currently offers a 1-Day Pass option for non-members. Because the terms and availability can change, check BJ’s current 1-Day Pass signup page for the latest details before shopping.

What happens if I lose my BJ’s card?

Stop by Member Services with your ID and they’ll get you a replacement. In the meantime, just use the digital card in the app so you don’t miss a shopping trip.

More BJ’s Guides Worth a Look

• New to coupons at BJ’s? Start here.
• How to stack coupons at BJ’s (manufacturer + BJ’s app)
• See the Current BJ’s Membership Deal