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 network Costco takes. Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and other cards will not work at the register, online, or at the gas station. This rule applies everywhere Costco operates in the United States.

Costco made this choice years ago and has kept it in place. The warehouse does this partly to control costs — accepting fewer card networks means lower fees — and partly to steer members toward specific payment methods. If you do not have a Visa, you can still shop at Costco using a debit card, a Costco cash card, or cash itself.

The Costco Visa card is the credit card Costco pushes hardest. It earns rewards on Costco purchases and gas, and it is the card most members use. But you do not have to use the Costco card. Any Visa card from any bank will work — a basic Visa from your local credit union, a travel rewards Visa from another bank, or any other Visa in your wallet.

Key Takeaways

• Costco accepts only Visa credit cards; Mastercard, American Express, and Discover will be declined at checkout.
• The Costco Visa card earns rewards on warehouse purchases and gas, but any Visa from any bank will work at Costco.
• If you do not have a Visa, you can pay with a debit card, Costco cash card, or cash.
• This Visa-only rule applies at the warehouse, online, and at Costco gas stations.

What happens if you try to use a different credit card

Your card will be declined. The register will not process it. You will need to use a different payment method right then — either another card you have with you, or cash, or a Costco cash card if you have one loaded.

This is not a temporary hold or a fraud check. Costco's payment system simply does not accept non-Visa credit cards. There is no workaround at the register. If you came planning to use your Mastercard or American Express, you will have to switch payment methods on the spot.

The Costco Visa card versus other Visa cards

The Costco Visa card is issued by Citi and earns rewards on Costco purchases. Members get 2% back on Costco warehouse purchases and gas, 1% back on all other purchases, and an annual $60 reward certificate that arrives in your account each year if you spend enough. You need a Costco membership to open the card.

Any other Visa card will work at Costco, but it will not earn Costco-specific rewards. If you have a travel rewards Visa or a cash-back Visa from another bank, you can use it at Costco and earn whatever rewards that card normally offers. You do not get the 2% Costco bonus, but you still earn your regular rewards.

Some people use a non-Costco Visa if they prefer that card's rewards program or if they have not opened a Costco card yet. Others use the Costco card for warehouse trips and a different Visa for everything else. The choice depends on which rewards matter more to you.

Using Costco's other payment methods

If you do not have a Visa, Costco gives you three other ways to pay. A debit card works at any Costco register and online. You can use a Mastercard debit card, an American Express debit card, or any other debit card — Costco accepts all debit networks, unlike credit cards.

A Costco cash card is a prepaid card you load with money ahead of time. You can buy one at the warehouse or load money onto an existing card. It works like a gift card and is useful if you want to control spending or if you do not have a credit or debit card.

Cash is always accepted. Costco also takes checks at the warehouse, though not online. Some Costco locations accept mobile payment apps like Apple Pay or Google Pay, but this varies by warehouse and is not may provide everywhere.

Paying online and at the gas station

The Visa-only rule applies when you shop on Costco.com as well. You can use any Visa card to check out online, but Mastercard and American Express will not work. You can also pay with a debit card or Costco cash card online.

At Costco gas stations, the same rule holds. Visa credit cards only. Debit cards work too, and so does the Costco cash card. If you pull up to a pump and only have a Mastercard or American Express, you will need to go inside and pay with a different method or use the ATM to withdraw cash.

International travel and Costco

If you are traveling outside the United States, check whether your Visa card works abroad before you go. Most Visa cards do, but some have restrictions or charge foreign transaction fees. Costco locations outside the US may have different payment rules — for example, Costco in Canada and the UK accepts Mastercard as well as Visa.

If you are planning to shop at a Costco warehouse while traveling, contact your card issuer ahead of time to let them know you will be using it internationally. This prevents the card from being blocked as fraud. Bring a backup payment method in case your card does not work.

Why Costco chose Visa

Costco has accepted only Visa since 2006, when it ended its partnership with American Express. The warehouse made this switch to lower the fees it pays on credit card transactions. Visa's interchange fees — the amount Costco pays the card issuer for each transaction — were lower than American Express's fees at that time.

By limiting itself to one credit card network, Costco also simplifies its payment processing and reduces the complexity of its checkout systems. This is a business decision, not a customer service one. Costco prioritizes keeping membership fees and warehouse prices low, and accepting fewer card types helps it do that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my American Express at Costco?

No. Costco does not accept American Express credit cards. You can use a debit card, Costco cash card, or cash instead. If you have a Visa card, that will work.

Will a Mastercard debit card work at Costco?

Yes. Costco accepts all debit card networks, including Mastercard debit cards. The Visa-only rule applies only to credit cards, not debit cards.

Do I need the Costco Visa card to shop there?

No. Any Visa credit card will work, or you can use a debit card, Costco cash card, or cash. The Costco Visa card is optional and is useful only if you want the 2% rewards on warehouse purchases.

Can I use Apple Pay or Google Pay at Costco?

Some Costco warehouses accept mobile payment apps, but it is not available everywhere. Call your local warehouse to ask before you rely on it. If your phone wallet contains a Visa card, that Visa will be processed when you pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay.

What if I forgot my Visa card at home?

Use a debit card, Costco cash card, or cash. All three work at every Costco register. You can also pay with a check at the warehouse, though not online.