What Credit Cards Costco Actually Accepts

Costco only accepts Visa credit cards, not Mastercard or American Express

If you want to use a credit card at Costco, it has to be a Visa. Costco stopped accepting American Express in 2015 and does not take Mastercard at all. This means if your primary credit card is an Amex or Mastercard, you will need to bring a different payment method — a debit card, Costco Cash (their prepaid card), or cash.

This restriction applies everywhere Costco operates: at warehouse locations, on their website, and at Costco Gas stations. There is no exception for members who have been shopping there for years or for large purchases. The rule is the same for everyone.

The reason Costco made this choice comes down to money. Visa charges Costco lower processing fees than Amex or Mastercard do. Costco passes some of that savings to members through lower prices on merchandise. By limiting which cards they accept, they keep those costs down.

Key Takeaways

• Costco accepts only Visa credit cards — not Mastercard, American Express, or Discover.
• Costco Gas stations follow the same rule and only take Visa credit cards.
• If you do not have a Visa, you can pay with a debit card, Costco Cash card, or cash instead.
• The Costco Anywhere Visa card is their co-branded credit card and earns rewards on purchases, but it is still just a Visa like any other.

What happens if you try to use a different credit card

If you attempt to pay with an Amex or Mastercard at checkout, the card will be declined. The cashier cannot override this — it is a system-wide restriction, not a judgment call. You will need to provide a different payment method right then, which can be awkward if you did not bring anything else.

Online orders on Costco.com have the same restriction. If you enter a Mastercard or Amex number, the payment will not go through. The website will prompt you to use a Visa instead or choose another payment method.

Debit cards and other payment methods that work

Costco accepts debit cards with no restrictions — Visa debit, Mastercard debit, or any other network. A debit card pulls money directly from your bank account rather than creating a bill you pay later, but it works just fine at Costco.

You can also pay with cash, which Costco has always accepted. Costco Cash, their prepaid card that you load money onto in advance, works at all warehouse locations and gas stations. Some Costco locations accept Apple Pay and Google Pay, though this varies by warehouse and is not may provide everywhere.

The Costco Anywhere Visa card and rewards

Costco offers a co-branded credit card called the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, issued by Citi. This is a Visa, so it works everywhere Costco accepts credit cards. The card earns rewards on Costco purchases — typically 2% back on most items and higher percentages on gas and travel — but you only get these rewards if you use this specific card.

You do not need the Costco Visa card to shop at Costco. Any Visa credit card will work. The Costco card is optional and only worth getting if you shop there regularly and want the rewards.

If you already have a different Visa card, using that works fine. You just will not earn Costco-specific rewards unless you switch to their card.

Costco Gas stations and the same Visa-only rule

Costco Gas stations only accept Visa credit cards, the same as the warehouse. You cannot use Mastercard or Amex at the pump. Debit cards work, as do cash and Costco Cash.

This is one of the reasons some members keep a Visa card specifically for Costco, even if they prefer using other cards elsewhere. If you fill up at Costco Gas regularly, having a Visa on hand makes the transaction smoother.

Planning ahead if you do not have a Visa

If your main credit card is not a Visa, you have a few options. The simplest is to bring a debit card instead — most people have one tied to their bank account. Debit cards work at Costco with no restrictions.

If you want to use a credit card specifically for the rewards or to build credit history, you could open a Visa card. Many banks and credit card companies offer Visa options, and some have no annual fee. The Costco Anywhere Visa is one choice, but so is any other Visa from your bank or a major issuer.

Another option is to load money onto a Costco Cash card before you shop. You buy the card at the warehouse or online, add money to it, and use it like a prepaid card. This does not earn rewards, but it works everywhere Costco does.

What to know about online Costco.com orders

The Visa-only rule applies to Costco.com as well. When you check out online, you must use a Visa credit card if you want to pay with credit. Debit cards, Costco Cash, and other payment methods work too, but Mastercard and Amex will be declined.

Some members assume online shopping might have different rules, but Costco enforces the same payment restrictions everywhere. If you are ordering from home and do not have a Visa handy, use your debit card or Costco Cash instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Mastercard or American Express at Costco if I have been a member for a long time?

No. The Visa-only policy applies to all members regardless of tenure or membership level. There are no exceptions based on how long you have shopped there or how much you spend.

Does Costco accept Discover cards?

No. Costco only accepts Visa credit cards. Discover cards will be declined at checkout and online.

Can I use a Visa debit card if I do not have a Visa credit card?

Yes. Debit cards work at Costco with no restrictions, regardless of which network they are on. You can use a Visa debit, Mastercard debit, or any other debit card.

What if I have a Costco Mastercard or Amex from before 2015?

Those cards no longer work at Costco. When Costco ended its partnership with Amex in 2015, existing Amex cards were no longer accepted. If you have an old Costco Mastercard, it will also be declined. You would need to use a different payment method or open a Costco Visa card.

Does the Visa-only rule apply at Costco Travel or other Costco services?

The warehouse and gas stations are Visa-only. Costco Travel and other services may have different payment rules — check their website or call before booking to confirm what they accept.