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HL1Housing Living 101

What Payment Methods Costco Accepts and How They Work

By Tanika Patel
6 minute read

Costco takes cash, debit cards, credit cards, and its own Costco card — but not all methods work everywhere, and some come with restrictions

Costco accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover at warehouse locations and online. You can also pay with debit cards, PIN-based or signature-based. Cash and checks are accepted in-warehouse only. The Costco Anywhere Visa card — Costco's own credit card — earns rewards on purchases and is accepted everywhere Visa is accepted, including outside Costco. Mobile payment apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay work at checkout if your underlying card is one Costco accepts.

The catch: Costco warehouses do not accept American Express for regular purchases, only Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Online, you have more flexibility. And if you use a payment method Costco does not accept, your transaction will be declined at the register or during checkout — there is no workaround at that moment.

Key Takeaways

  • Costco warehouses accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, debit cards, cash, and checks — but not American Express for regular shopping.
  • The Costco Anywhere Visa card earns cash back on Costco purchases and can be used anywhere Visa is accepted, including outside Costco.
  • Costco.com accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, giving you more card options online than in the warehouse.
  • Mobile payment apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay work at Costco if your linked card is a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover.
  • Costco does not accept PayPal, Amazon Pay, or other third-party digital wallets at this time.

Credit and Debit Cards at Costco Warehouses

At Costco warehouse locations, you can use Visa, Mastercard, or Discover credit cards. Debit cards work the same way — you can run them as credit (signature) or as debit (PIN). American Express is not accepted for regular purchases in the warehouse, even if you have a Costco American Express card from years past. That restriction is part of Costco's long-standing agreement with Visa.

If you try to use an American Express card at a warehouse register, the card will be declined. The only exception is the Costco Anywhere Visa card, which is a Visa product and works everywhere. If you have an older Costco American Express card, it stopped working at Costco warehouses in 2016 when Costco switched its partnership to Visa.

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card and Rewards

The Costco Anywhere Visa card is Costco's co-branded credit card, issued by Visa and Citi. It earns cash back on Costco purchases: 2% on gas, 2% on travel, and 1% on everything else at Costco. Outside Costco, it earns 1% cash back on all other purchases. The rewards are paid as an annual certificate that you can use at Costco or redeem for cash.

You do not need the Costco card to shop at Costco — a regular Visa, Mastercard, or Discover works fine. But if you shop frequently, the card's rewards can offset its annual fee over time. The card is a Visa, so it works at any merchant that accepts Visa, not just Costco.

Online Payment Options at Costco.com

Costco.com is more flexible than warehouse locations. You can use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. You can also pay with a debit card, and you have the option to save your card information for faster checkout on future orders. If you use the Costco Anywhere Visa card online, you earn the same rewards as you would in the warehouse.

Costco.com does not accept PayPal, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, or Apple Pay as standalone payment methods. However, if your Apple Pay or Google Pay wallet contains a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card, you may be able to use it on mobile devices during checkout — the payment still processes through your underlying card, not through the app itself.

Cash, Checks, and Other Payment Methods

Costco warehouses accept cash and personal checks at the register. Checks must be written to Costco and include your membership number. Online orders cannot be paid with cash or check — you must use a card or digital wallet linked to a card.

Costco does not accept money orders, gift cards from other retailers, or payment plans. If you want to pay over time, you would need to use a credit card and manage the balance yourself, or use a third-party buy-now-pay-later service if your card issuer offers one — but Costco does not partner with Affirm, Klarna, or similar services directly.

Mobile Wallets and Digital Payment at Checkout

Apple Pay and Google Pay work at Costco warehouse registers if your phone is set up with a supported card. The card linked to your wallet must be Visa, Mastercard, or Discover — American Express will not work through mobile pay at the warehouse. Hold your phone near the contactless reader at checkout, and the payment processes the same way as swiping or inserting a physical card.

Samsung Pay is not widely supported at Costco, and Costco does not accept QR code payments or other emerging digital methods. If you want to use a digital wallet, stick with Apple Pay or Google Pay and confirm your card type before you check out.

What Happens If Your Payment Method Is Declined

If your card is declined at a Costco register, the cashier will ask you to provide a different payment method. Common reasons for decline include insufficient funds, an expired card, a card flagged for fraud, or using an unsupported card type (like American Express in the warehouse). You can ask the cashier why the card was declined, but they often do not have access to that information — your bank or card issuer will have the details.

If you are using a debit card and it is declined, check your account balance and make sure your PIN is correct if you are running it as debit. If you are using a credit card, contact your card issuer to learn about there is a hold on your account or if the card has expired. For online orders, the payment will fail during checkout and you will be prompted to try a different method before your order is placed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use American Express at Costco?

American Express is not accepted at Costco warehouses for regular purchases. It is accepted on Costco.com. If you want to use American Express at the warehouse, you would need to use a different payment method. Costco's partnership with Visa is exclusive for warehouse locations.

Does Costco accept PayPal or Venmo?

Costco does not accept PayPal, Venmo, or other third-party payment apps directly. You can only pay with a card, mobile wallet linked to a card, cash, or check. If you want to use PayPal funds, you would need to transfer the money to your bank account first, then use a debit card.

What if I forget my Costco card but have my membership number?

You can still shop and pay with any accepted payment method. Your membership number can be looked up at the register using your phone number or email. You do not need a physical card to complete a purchase, only to prove your membership status.

Do I earn rewards if I pay with a non-Costco card?

No. Only the Costco Anywhere Visa card earns cash back at Costco. If you pay with a regular Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or debit card, you earn no Costco rewards. You may earn rewards through your card issuer's own program, but that is separate from Costco.

Can I use a gift card to pay for my Costco purchase?

Costco sells its own gift cards, which can be used at warehouses and online. You cannot use gift cards from other retailers. Costco gift cards can be combined with another payment method if the card does not cover the full purchase amount.