Which Credit Cards Costco Actually Accepts

Costco accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover — but only Visa and Mastercard at the warehouse itself

Costco's payment rules are split between two places: the warehouse and Costco.com. At the physical warehouse, you can use Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. Online at Costco.com, you can add Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. Costco does not accept Diners Club or other card types anywhere.

The catch is that Costco has a long-standing partnership with Visa. For many years, Costco only took Visa at the warehouse. In 2024, they expanded to accept Mastercard and American Express as well. If you have a different card type, you'll need to use a different payment method — cash, debit card, or a Costco gift card.

Your Costco membership card is separate from your payment card. You need a valid membership to enter the warehouse and shop, but that membership card does not work as a payment method. You still have to pay with one of the accepted cards or cash at checkout.

Key Takeaways

• At Costco warehouses, you can pay with Visa, Mastercard, or American Express credit cards.
• On Costco.com, you can also use Discover in addition to Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
• Costco does not accept American Express at the warehouse in all locations — check with your local warehouse if you're unsure.
• If your credit card is not one of these types, you can pay with cash, a debit card, or a Costco gift card instead.
• Your Costco membership card is not a payment method and cannot be used to pay for purchases.

What happens if you bring a card Costco doesn't accept

If you reach the checkout lane with a card Costco won't take — a Diners Club card, for example, or a store card from another retailer — the cashier will let you know before they process the payment. You'll have time to switch to a different payment method.

Your options at that point are to pay with cash, use a debit card if you have one, or use a Costco gift card. You can also leave and come back another time with an accepted card. Costco won't hold your items, so you'd need to put them back or ask a staff member to set them aside briefly.

Using a Costco credit card at the warehouse

Costco offers its own credit card, called the Costco Anywhere Visa Card. This is a Visa card, so it works at any Costco warehouse worldwide. You can also use it at gas stations, restaurants, and other retailers that take Visa.

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card earns rewards on Costco purchases — typically 2% back on Costco gas and food court purchases, and 1% back on other Costco purchases. If you shop at Costco regularly, this card can offset some of your spending. You do not have to use the Costco card to shop; it's optional and designed for frequent shoppers who want rewards.

To get a Costco Anywhere Visa Card, you apply through Costco's website or at the membership desk. The card is issued by Citi Bank. There is an annual fee, which varies but is typically around $65 for the standard version. Some versions have higher fees but offer additional benefits.

Paying online at Costco.com versus in the warehouse

Costco.com has a wider range of accepted cards than the warehouse. Online, you can use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. You can also save multiple cards to your Costco.com account so you don't have to enter card details every time you order.

If you have a Discover card but no other accepted card, you can shop on Costco.com but not at the physical warehouse. The same applies if you have a card type Costco doesn't recognize — your only option is to order online or pay with cash or a debit card in person.

Costco.com also accepts PayPal and Costco gift cards. If you're ordering online and don't have an accepted credit card, these are your backup options.

Regional differences in card acceptance

Most Costco warehouses in the United States accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. However, some older locations or warehouses in certain regions may still only accept Visa. This is rare, but it happens.

If you're planning to use American Express at a specific Costco location and you're not sure whether they take it, call the warehouse directly before you go. The phone number is usually on Costco's website when you search for your local warehouse. A quick call takes two minutes and saves you from reaching checkout with a card they won't take.

What to do if you don't have an accepted card

If you don't have Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover, you have several ways to shop at Costco. The simplest is to bring cash — Costco accepts cash at every warehouse and online orders can be paid with Costco gift cards.

You can also use a debit card if it has a Visa or Mastercard logo on it. Many debit cards are branded as Visa or Mastercard and work the same way as a credit card at checkout. Check your debit card; if it has one of these logos, you can use it at Costco.

Another option is to buy a Costco gift card from someone who has one, or to purchase a gift card online if you have an accepted payment method. You can then use the gift card to pay for purchases at the warehouse. Gift cards don't expire and can be reloaded.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my store credit card at Costco?

No. Costco only accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover (online only). Store cards from Target, Walmart, or other retailers are not accepted. You'll need to pay with cash, a debit card, or a Costco gift card instead.

Does Costco take Apple Pay or Google Pay?

At the warehouse, Costco does not accept mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay. Online at Costco.com, you may be able to use these services if your phone's wallet is linked to an accepted card, but this depends on your browser and device. Call Costco customer service or check their website for the most current information on mobile payment options.

What if I have an American Express but my local Costco says they don't take it?

Some older Costco locations have not yet updated their payment systems to accept American Express. If this happens, ask the cashier or a manager whether the warehouse plans to accept it soon. In the meantime, use Visa, Mastercard, cash, or a debit card. You can also contact Costco's customer service to report which warehouse is not accepting American Express.

Can I use a prepaid Visa card at Costco?

Yes. Prepaid Visa cards work the same way as regular Visa cards at checkout. As long as the card has a Visa logo and has funds loaded on it, Costco will accept it. The same applies to prepaid Mastercard or American Express cards.

Do I need a Costco membership card to pay with a credit card?

You need a valid Costco membership to enter the warehouse and shop, but the membership card itself is not a payment method. At checkout, you'll show your membership card to prove you're a member, and then you'll pay with a credit card, debit card, cash, or gift card. These are two separate things.