What Payment Methods Costco Accepts In-Store and Online
Costco accepts cash, debit cards, credit cards, and digital wallets—but membership type and location affect which ones work
Costco takes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover at all US locations. You can also pay with debit cards, cash, checks (in-warehouse only), and digital wallets including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. The catch: your membership level determines whether you can use certain cards, and online purchases have slightly different rules than in-warehouse shopping.
If you hold a Costco Visa card, you can use it anywhere in the warehouse. If you have a regular membership without the Costco card, you're limited to Visa only—Mastercard, Amex, and Discover won't work at the register, even though Costco accepts them for online orders. This restriction has been in place since Costco's exclusive agreement with Visa began in 2006.
Key Takeaways
- Costco members without a Costco Visa card can only use Visa credit or debit cards at warehouse checkout; Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are not accepted in-store.
- Costco Visa cardholders can use their Costco card anywhere in the warehouse, plus Visa, debit, cash, and digital wallets.
- Online purchases at Costco.com accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, debit cards, and digital wallets—no cash or checks.
- Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay work at warehouse registers and count as the card type linked to them, so an Apple Pay linked to a Mastercard still won't work in-warehouse unless you have a Costco Visa.
- Costco accepts personal checks at warehouse locations only, and you'll need to show a valid ID; checks are not accepted online or at gas stations.
Credit and Debit Card Rules by Membership Type
If you have a standard Costco membership and no Costco Visa card, Visa is your only credit card option at the warehouse. This applies to both Visa credit cards and Visa debit cards. You cannot use Mastercard, American Express, or Discover at the register, even if you have them in your wallet. The restriction is enforced at the point of sale—the card reader will decline non-Visa cards.
If you hold a Costco Visa card (issued by Citibank), you can use it at any Costco warehouse worldwide. You can also use any other Visa card, debit cards from any network, cash, checks, and digital wallets. The Costco Visa card itself earns rewards on Costco purchases and gas, which is why many members choose to get one specifically to avoid the single-card limitation.
Debit cards work differently from credit cards. Any debit card—Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover—will work at the warehouse register regardless of your membership type. Debit cards are treated as a separate payment category and are not subject to the Visa-only credit card restriction.
Online Payment Options at Costco.com
Costco.com is more flexible than the warehouse. You can pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, debit cards, and digital wallets. You do not need a Costco Visa card to shop online, and the Visa-only rule does not apply. This means if you have a Mastercard or American Express, you can use it to order online even if you cannot use it in the warehouse.
Digital wallets linked to any card type work on Costco.com. If you have Apple Pay set up with a Mastercard, it will process successfully online. The same wallet will not work at a warehouse register unless the underlying card is Visa or you have a Costco Visa card, but online the restriction lifts.
Cash and checks cannot be used for online orders. If you want to pay with cash or check, you must shop in the warehouse.
Digital Wallets and Mobile Payment
Costco warehouse registers accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. These digital wallets work at the register just like tapping a physical card. However, the card type linked to your digital wallet still matters. If your Apple Pay is linked to a Mastercard and you don't have a Costco Visa card, the payment will be declined at the warehouse register because the underlying card is Mastercard.
The easiest workaround is to link your digital wallet to a Visa card or to get a Costco Visa card and link that instead. At Costco.com, digital wallets work regardless of the underlying card type, so this limitation only affects in-warehouse shopping.
Cash and Check Payments
Costco accepts cash at all warehouse locations with no restrictions. You can pay any amount in cash, and no membership card type affects this option. If you prefer to avoid credit or debit cards, cash is always available.
Personal checks are accepted at warehouse checkouts only. You must present a valid photo ID, and Costco will record your driver's license number. Checks are not accepted at gas stations, at the pharmacy, or for online orders. If you write a check, it may take several days to clear, so plan accordingly if you're close to your account balance.
Gas Station and Pharmacy Payment Restrictions
Costco gas stations have their own payment rules. You can use any Visa card, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover at the pump—the warehouse Visa-only restriction does not apply at gas. You can also pay with debit cards and digital wallets. Cash is not accepted at the pump; you must pay inside the station building if you want to use cash.
The Costco pharmacy accepts the same payment methods as the warehouse: Visa only for credit cards (unless you have a Costco Visa card), any debit card, cash, checks with ID, and digital wallets. The pharmacy is part of the warehouse, so the same rules apply.
What to Do If Your Card Is Declined
If your card is declined at a Costco warehouse register, the most common reason is that it's not a Visa and you don't have a Costco Visa card. Check your card before you reach the register if possible. If you have a Mastercard, American Express, or Discover, you have three options: use a debit card instead, pay with cash or check, or get a Costco Visa card for future visits.
If you believe your card should have worked, ask the cashier to try it again or speak to a manager. Technical errors at the register are rare but do happen. If the issue persists, contact your card issuer to confirm the card is active and has available funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Mastercard at Costco if I have a membership?
Not at the warehouse register unless you have a Costco Visa card. Standard memberships are limited to Visa credit cards. You can use a Mastercard debit card, or you can shop online at Costco.com where Mastercard is accepted. Getting a Costco Visa card removes this restriction.
Does Costco take American Express?
Yes, at Costco.com and at the gas pump. American Express is not accepted at warehouse registers for members without a Costco Visa card. If you have a Costco Visa card, you can use any Visa card at the warehouse, but your Amex still won't work there—only Visa cards do.
What if I only have cash—can I shop at Costco?
Yes. Cash is accepted at all warehouse locations with no restrictions. You do not need a card of any kind. The only place cash is not accepted is at the gas pump; you must go inside to pay with cash.
Will Apple Pay work at Costco if it's linked to my Mastercard?
Not at the warehouse register. Digital wallets are treated the same as the card they're linked to. If your Apple Pay is connected to a Mastercard and you don't have a Costco Visa card, it will be declined. Link your Apple Pay to a Visa card or a Costco Visa card instead.
Can I use checks to pay for online orders?
No. Checks are only accepted at warehouse registers, not online or at gas stations. For online orders, use a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet.