This is not new policy. This depends on the cashier. 5-6 years ago, they said 你不是会员,不能享受打折 and charged the membership fee directly on the register because I want that discount. Later I upgraded to the executive member and the cash back I got every year is more than the membership fee. I brought gift cards for my friends. They can use it with discount at same Costco. But it is not convenience. Every time the cashier has to ask the supervisor to override. Eventually all of my friends applied for their own cards.