Which Credit Cards Costco Actually Accepts

Costco accepts Visa cards only — no Mastercard, American Express, or Discover

If you want to pay with a credit card at Costco, it has to be a Visa. That is the only credit card brand Costco takes in its warehouses and on its website. Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are not accepted, even if you have a membership card.

This restriction has been in place since 2006, when Costco ended its partnership with American Express and switched to Visa exclusively. The rule applies everywhere: at the warehouse checkout, at the gas station, and when you order online. If you try to use a different credit card brand, the payment will be declined.

Costco does accept other payment methods — debit cards, cash, checks, and their own Costco Cash Card — but if you specifically want to use a credit card, Visa is your only option.

Key Takeaways

• Costco warehouses accept only Visa credit cards; Mastercard, American Express, and Discover will not work.
• This Visa-only policy applies at the checkout, the gas pumps, and on Costco.com.
• You can use a debit card, cash, or Costco's own Cash Card if you do not have a Visa credit card.
• The Costco Visa card earns rewards on purchases and is the credit card option most people use at Costco.

The Costco Visa Card and how it works

Costco offers its own Visa credit card through Citi, called the Costco Anywhere Visa Card. This card earns cash back on Costco purchases and is issued by Citibank, not by Costco itself. You apply through Citi's website or in the warehouse, and if approved, you receive the card in the mail within one to two weeks.

The card earns 2% cash back on Costco purchases (in-warehouse and online), 1% on gas at Costco pumps, and 1% on all other purchases. The cash back is paid once a year as a Costco Cash reward certificate that you can use to buy anything at Costco. There is an annual fee of $59 for the standard card and $120 for the Executive version, which offers higher rewards rates.

You do not have to have the Costco Visa card to shop at Costco — you can use any other Visa card you own. But if you shop there regularly, the Costco card is often the credit card choice because of the cash back rewards.

Other Visa cards you can use at Costco

Any Visa card works at Costco, not just the Costco Visa. If you have a Visa from your bank, a Visa rewards card from another issuer, or any other Visa product, you can use it to pay at Costco. The warehouse does not care which Visa you use — it only checks that the card is Visa.

Some people use a general rewards Visa from their bank because they prefer to earn rewards on all their spending, not just at Costco. Others use the Costco Visa specifically because the rewards rate is higher at Costco than on most other cards. Either approach works; the only requirement is that the card has a Visa logo.

Why Costco only accepts Visa

Costco's exclusive Visa partnership is a business decision. When Costco switched from American Express to Visa in 2006, it negotiated a deal with Visa that gave Costco lower processing fees in exchange for accepting only Visa credit cards. This saves Costco money on every transaction, and the company passes some of that savings to members through lower warehouse prices and higher rewards on the Costco Visa card.

Costco has kept this arrangement for nearly two decades because it benefits both the company and its members. Visa gets may provide volume from millions of Costco shoppers, and Costco gets favorable rates. Members benefit from lower prices and the option to earn cash back through the Costco Visa card.

What to do if you do not have a Visa

If you do not own a Visa credit card, you have several payment options at Costco. You can use a debit card with a Visa or Mastercard logo — Costco accepts debit cards from any network. You can also pay with cash or a personal check (at warehouse locations only). The Costco Cash Card, which is a prepaid card you load with money, also works at checkout.

If you want to use a credit card but only have Mastercard or American Express, you have two choices: open a Visa credit card with your bank or another issuer, or use a different payment method at Costco. Many banks offer Visa cards with no annual fee, so getting a Visa specifically for Costco shopping is straightforward if you want the credit card option.

Costco.com and the Visa requirement

The Visa-only rule applies to online shopping at Costco.com as well. When you check out on the website, you can only use a Visa credit card to pay. Debit cards, cash, and checks are not options online — you must use a Visa or another accepted payment method like PayPal (if available in your region).

If you are ordering online and do not have a Visa, check whether Costco.com accepts PayPal or other digital payment options in your area. Some regions have additional payment methods available online that are not offered in warehouses. You can also call Costco customer service to ask about payment options before you place an order.

Costco gas station and the Visa rule

At Costco gas pumps, the Visa-only rule also applies. You can use any Visa credit card or a Visa debit card to pay at the pump. If you want to pay with a credit card at the gas station, it must be Visa — Mastercard and American Express will not work at the pump, even though some gas stations outside Costco accept them.

Cash payments at the pump are not possible; you have to use a card. If you do not have a Visa, you can pay inside the warehouse at the fuel desk with a debit card or other accepted payment method, though this is less convenient than using the pump.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Mastercard or American Express at Costco?

No. Costco accepts Visa credit cards only. Mastercard and American Express will be declined at checkout, at the gas pumps, and on Costco.com. You can use a debit card with a Mastercard or American Express logo, but not a credit card from those brands.

Do I need the Costco Visa card to shop at Costco?

No. You can use any Visa credit card you own. The Costco Visa card is optional and is mainly useful if you shop at Costco frequently and want to earn cash back rewards. A regular Visa from your bank works just as well.

What if I only have a debit card?

Debit cards work at Costco as long as they have a Visa or Mastercard logo. You do not need a credit card. Costco also accepts cash and checks at warehouse locations, so you have multiple payment options even without a credit card.

Can I use PayPal or Apple Pay at Costco?

PayPal may be available on Costco.com in some regions, but it is not accepted in warehouses or at gas pumps. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other digital wallets are not currently accepted at Costco, though this could change in the future.

What happens if I try to use a non-Visa card at Costco?

The card will be declined at the payment terminal. You will need to use a different payment method — another Visa card, a debit card, cash, or a check. The cashier cannot override the Visa-only restriction.