Yeah, my experience with Costco/Skip the Counter has been to register with my DL#, etc. and to enter a CC after I get the confirmation email. I've never paid attention to when they charge the card. One word or warning that burned me once was trying to use an Alamo gift card. I had to go stand in line and it turned into kind of a nightmare. If you don't/can't "Skip the Counter" or use one their automated kiosks, the wait in line can be a pain (like any other company, I suppose).