What Credit Cards Costco Actually Accepts

Visa is not accepted at Costco warehouses, but Costco's own Visa card is

Costco does not take regular Visa cards at the register. If you try to pay with a standard Visa from another bank, it will be declined. However, Costco does accept the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, which is a Visa card issued by Costco and Citi. This card works at Costco warehouses, Costco.com, and gas stations everywhere.

The reason for this restriction is that Costco negotiated an exclusive payment agreement with Visa years ago. Costco wanted to control which cards it accepted and what fees it paid to card networks. By issuing its own Visa card through Citi, Costco gets to set the terms while still offering members a Visa option.

If you do not have a Costco Visa card and want to pay with a card at the warehouse, you have other options. Costco accepts Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards. You can also pay with cash, debit cards, or Costco's own cash card called the Costco Cash Card.

Key Takeaways

• A regular Visa from another bank will not work at Costco warehouses, but the Costco Anywhere Visa Card will.
• Costco accepts Mastercard, American Express, and Discover as alternatives to Visa.
• The Costco Anywhere Visa Card earns rewards at Costco and gas stations, with different rates depending on where you shop.
• You must be a Costco member to use any card at the warehouse, and membership costs vary by tier.
• Online at Costco.com, you can use any major credit card, including regular Visa cards from other banks.

How the Costco Anywhere Visa Card works

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card is a rewards card designed specifically for Costco members. You earn cash back on purchases, but the rate depends on where you shop. At Costco warehouses and Costco.com, you earn 2 percent cash back. At gas stations, you earn 4 percent cash back on the first $7,500 per year, then 1 percent after that. On all other purchases, you earn 1 percent cash back.

The card has an annual fee. The exact amount varies, so check Citi's website or ask at your Costco membership desk for the current fee. You do not earn rewards on the annual fee itself.

Cash back rewards are sent to you as an annual statement credit, usually in December. You cannot redeem rewards for points or transfer them to another account — they come back as a credit on your bill.

What cards Costco accepts at the warehouse

At Costco warehouses, you can pay with the following cards: Costco Anywhere Visa Card, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You cannot use a regular Visa, and you cannot use store credit cards from other retailers.

Costco also accepts cash, checks, and debit cards with a Visa or Mastercard logo. The Costco Cash Card, which is a prepaid card you load with money at the warehouse, also works. Some Costco locations accept mobile payment apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay, but this varies by location and is not may provide everywhere.

To use any card at Costco, you must show a valid Costco membership card. If you do not have a membership, you cannot make a purchase, regardless of which card you bring.

Paying online at Costco.com with any Visa

Online shopping at Costco.com is different from shopping in the warehouse. At Costco.com, you can use any major credit card, including a regular Visa from any bank. You can also use Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal.

You still need an active Costco membership to shop online. Your membership status is tied to your account, and you log in before you can browse or buy. The card restrictions that apply at the warehouse do not apply to the website.

If you prefer to use a regular Visa, shopping online is the only way to do it at Costco. Some members use this as a workaround if they do not have the Costco Visa card and want to use their regular Visa.

Why Costco does not accept regular Visa cards

Costco made a deliberate choice to limit which cards it accepts. The company negotiated an exclusive agreement with Visa that lets Costco control its payment ecosystem. By issuing its own Visa card, Costco keeps more of the revenue that would otherwise go to card networks and banks.

This is not unusual for large retailers. Warehouse clubs and some grocery chains have negotiated similar deals. The trade-off for customers is that you have fewer card options at the register, but the Costco Visa card offers rewards that are designed to appeal to frequent Costco shoppers.

Costco also accepts Mastercard and American Express, so members have alternatives. The company is not forcing everyone to use Visa — it is just limiting which Visa cards work.

Getting a Costco Anywhere Visa Card

You can open a Costco Anywhere Visa Card online through Citi's website or by visiting your local Costco warehouse. You must be a Costco member to open the card. The application takes a few minutes, and you will get an instant decision in most cases.

If you are approved, your physical card arrives in the mail within one to two weeks. You can use the card number immediately online while you wait for the physical card. The card is issued by Citi, not by Costco, so you manage your account and payments through Citi's website or app.

If you already have a Costco membership but do not have the Visa card, you do not need to do anything special to open one. A Costco membership is not the same as the credit card, and you can have one without the other.

Other payment methods at Costco

If you do not want to use a credit card at Costco, you have other ways to pay. Cash is always accepted. Debit cards with a Visa or Mastercard logo work just like credit cards. The Costco Cash Card is a prepaid option — you load it with money at the warehouse and use it like a gift card.

Some Costco locations accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other digital wallets, but availability varies. Call your local Costco to ask if they accept mobile payments before you rely on this option.

Checks are still accepted at most Costco warehouses, though this is becoming less common. You will need a valid ID and a Costco membership card to pay by check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my regular Visa card at a Costco gas station?

No. Costco gas stations have the same payment restrictions as the warehouse. You need a Costco Anywhere Visa Card, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. Regular Visa cards do not work at the pumps either.

What happens if I try to use a regular Visa at Costco?

Your card will be declined at the register. The cashier will ask you to use a different payment method. There is no way around this restriction at the warehouse — you must use an accepted card, cash, or a debit card.

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

No. You can pay with Mastercard, American Express, Discover, cash, or debit cards. The Costco Visa card is optional and is only useful if you want the rewards and prefer Visa. Many members shop at Costco without it.

Can I use a regular Visa if I shop online instead of in the warehouse?

Yes. Costco.com accepts any major credit card, including regular Visa cards from any bank. This is the only way to use a non-Costco Visa at Costco.

Is the Costco Anywhere Visa Card worth the annual fee?

That depends on how much you shop at Costco and how much you drive. The 2 percent cash back at Costco and 4 percent at gas stations can add up if you are a frequent shopper. Compare the annual fee to your expected rewards to decide if it makes sense for you. Costco's website has a rewards calculator you can use.