Which Credit Cards Costco Actually Accepts

Costco only takes Visa cards, not Mastercard or American Express

Costco has a single credit card partner: Visa. That means you can use any Visa card at the register — whether it's a basic Visa from your bank, a rewards Visa, or the Costco Anywhere Visa card issued by Citi. Mastercard and American Express are not accepted, even if you have them in your wallet.

This partnership has been in place since 2015, when Costco ended its long relationship with American Express. The switch was a major change for members who had relied on their Amex cards, but it opened the door to more card options overall. Today, the Visa requirement is straightforward: if your card has the Visa logo, it works at Costco.

You can also pay with debit cards that carry the Visa logo, cash, checks, or Costco Cash cards (a gift card product). But if you're using a credit card specifically, Visa is your only option.

Key Takeaways

• Costco accepts only Visa credit cards — Mastercard and American Express are not accepted at any Costco location.
• Debit cards with the Visa logo work at Costco, as do cash, checks, and Costco Cash gift cards.
• The Costco Anywhere Visa card, issued by Citi, earns rewards on Costco purchases and is the card most members use there.
• If you have a Mastercard or American Express, you will need to bring a different payment method to Costco or use the warehouse's ATM to withdraw cash.

Why Costco chose Visa and what it means for you

When Costco switched from American Express to Visa in 2015, the warehouse was looking for a partner that could offer lower processing fees and broader acceptance. Visa's larger network meant Costco could negotiate better terms. For members, the practical result is that Visa cards — which are far more common than American Express — now work at checkout.

This doesn't mean every Visa card earns the same rewards or benefits. A basic Visa from a regional bank might have no rewards at all, while a premium travel Visa might earn points on every purchase. The Costco Anywhere Visa card, though, is designed specifically for Costco shopping and typically offers the best rewards rate inside the warehouse.

The Costco Anywhere Visa card and how it differs from other Visa cards

The Costco Anywhere Visa card is issued by Citi and is the card Costco promotes to members. It earns 4% cash back on gas (at Costco and other stations), 3% on restaurants and travel, 2% on Costco purchases, and 1% on everything else. These rewards are paid as an annual rebate check or deposited into your Costco account.

You don't have to use the Costco card to shop there — any Visa works. But if you shop at Costco regularly, the rewards add up. A member who spends $200 a month at Costco would earn $48 in cash back annually just from the 2% rate, before any gas or restaurant purchases. Other Visa cards might offer different rewards structures, but they won't be tailored to Costco spending the way this one is.

To get the Costco Anywhere Visa card, you apply through Citi's website or at the membership desk inside Costco. You need a Costco membership to hold the card, and the card itself has an annual fee (currently $65 for the standard version, though this can change). There's also a higher-tier version with additional benefits and a higher annual fee.

What to do if you only have Mastercard or American Express

If Mastercard or American Express is your only credit card, you have a few options. The simplest is to bring a different payment method: cash, a Visa debit card, or a check. Many Costco locations have an ATM inside, so you can withdraw cash at the warehouse if you didn't bring any.

If you want to use a credit card specifically for the purchase, you'll need to open a Visa card before your next Costco trip. This could mean applying for a basic Visa from your bank, a rewards Visa from another issuer, or the Costco Anywhere Visa card itself. Keep in mind that opening a new credit card involves a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily lower your credit score by a few points.

Some people in this situation choose to get the Costco Anywhere Visa card because it's designed for warehouse shopping and offers rewards that offset the annual fee if you shop there regularly. Others prefer to use cash or a Visa debit card to avoid carrying another credit card. Both approaches work — it depends on how you prefer to manage your money.

Visa debit cards and other payment methods that work at Costco

A Visa debit card works exactly like a Visa credit card at Costco checkout. The difference is that the money comes directly from your bank account instead of being charged to a credit line. If you have a debit card with the Visa logo, you can use it at Costco without any issues.

Beyond Visa cards, Costco also accepts cash, personal checks, and Costco Cash cards (which are prepaid gift cards you can buy at the warehouse). Some locations accept mobile payment apps like Apple Pay or Google Pay, but only if the underlying card is a Visa. Contactless payment (tapping your card instead of inserting it) is available at most Costco locations, again as long as your card is a Visa.

The warehouse does not accept Discover cards, even though Discover is a major payment network. This is part of Costco's exclusive agreement with Visa.

Online shopping at Costco.com and payment rules

Costco's online store, Costco.com, has slightly different payment rules than the warehouse. You can use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover online — the Visa-only rule applies only to in-warehouse purchases. This means if you have an American Express card but no Visa, you can still order from Costco online and have items shipped to your home.

However, some items sold on Costco.com are warehouse-only and cannot be shipped. For those items, you'll need to visit a physical location and bring a Visa card or another accepted payment method. It's worth checking the product page before you order to see whether an item can be shipped or must be picked up in-warehouse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my American Express card at Costco?

No. Costco only accepts Visa credit cards in-warehouse. American Express is not accepted at any Costco location, though you can use it to shop on Costco.com. If you want to use a credit card at the warehouse, you'll need a Visa.

Does Costco accept Mastercard?

No. Mastercard is not accepted at Costco warehouses. You can use Mastercard on Costco.com, but not at the register in-store. Visa is the only credit card network accepted in-warehouse.

What if I have a Visa debit card instead of a credit card?

Visa debit cards work at Costco just like Visa credit cards. The money comes from your bank account instead of a credit line, but the checkout process is the same. You can use a Visa debit card to shop at any Costco warehouse.

Is the Costco Anywhere Visa card worth the annual fee?

That depends on how much you shop at Costco. The 2% cash back on warehouse purchases means you need to spend about $3,250 annually just to break even on the annual fee. If you also use the card for gas and restaurants, the rewards add up faster. Many regular Costco shoppers find the fee worth it, but occasional shoppers might prefer to use a different Visa card or pay with cash.

Can I use my Costco Cash card at the gas station?

Costco Cash cards work at the warehouse and the gas station. They're prepaid gift cards you load with money, and you can use them anywhere Costco accepts payment. They're not a credit card, so they don't build credit history, but they're a good option if you want to control your spending or give someone a gift.