Costco accepts Visa cards only — no Mastercard, American Express, or Discover

Costco stopped accepting American Express in 2016 and switched to Visa as its exclusive credit card partner. This means if you want to pay with a credit card at Costco, it must be a Visa. Debit cards, cash, and checks still work, but any Mastercard, Discover, or American Express card will be declined at checkout.

The exclusivity deal runs through Costco's Visa co-branded card, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi. Costco members who use this card get rewards on their purchases, while Costco benefits from a partnership that drives card adoption. Non-members cannot use the Costco card, but they can use any other Visa — whether it's a personal card from another bank, a business Visa, or a prepaid Visa card.

This restriction applies at all Costco warehouse locations and on Costco.com. Gas stations at Costco warehouses follow the same rule: Visa only.

Key Takeaways

  • Only Visa credit cards work at Costco; Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are not accepted.
  • The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is the co-branded option and earns rewards on Costco purchases, but any Visa card from any bank will work.
  • Debit cards, cash, and checks remain accepted payment methods at all Costco locations.
  • The Visa-only policy applies both in warehouses and on Costco.com, including at Costco gas stations.

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card and its rewards structure

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is Costco's official credit card and the primary reason for the Visa exclusivity. Costco members earn 2% cash back on Costco purchases (including gas and food court), 1% on other Visa purchases, and 3% on travel booked through Costco Travel. There is no annual fee for members.

Non-members can also get the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, but they earn only 1% cash back on all purchases and cannot access Costco warehouse shopping. The card is issued by Citi, so the process, approval, and account management happen through Citi's systems, not Costco directly.

Cash back from the Costco card posts as an annual reward certificate that you can use at any Costco warehouse or on Costco.com. You cannot redeem it for cash directly — it must be spent at Costco. The certificate expires one year from the issue date.

What happens if you try to use a different card at checkout

If you attempt to pay with a Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card, the payment terminal will decline the transaction. The cashier cannot override this — it is a system-level restriction, not a judgment call. You will need to provide a different payment method: another Visa, a debit card, cash, or a check.

Some Costco locations have self-checkout lanes, but the Visa-only rule applies there too. The payment terminal will reject non-Visa credit cards in the same way.

If you regularly shop at Costco and do not have a Visa, your options are to open a Costco Anywhere Visa Card, use a Visa from another bank, switch to debit or cash, or use a prepaid Visa card. Many people who prefer other card networks choose to keep a basic Visa on hand specifically for Costco purchases.

Using non-Costco Visa cards at Costco

You do not have to use the Costco Anywhere Visa Card. Any Visa credit card will work — whether it is a personal card from Chase, Bank of America, Capital One, or any other issuer. Business Visa cards, student Visa cards, and secured Visa cards all work the same way at the register.

The trade-off is that you will not earn Costco-specific rewards. A standard Visa from another bank earns whatever rewards that card offers (which may be 1% cash back, points, or miles, depending on the card), but you miss out on the 2% Costco bonus that the co-branded card provides. For frequent Costco shoppers, the difference adds up over time.

Prepaid Visa cards also work at Costco, as long as they are Visa-branded. This can be useful if you want to control spending or do not have access to a traditional credit card.

Why Costco switched to Visa and ended American Express

Costco's partnership with American Express lasted decades before ending in 2016. The switch to Visa happened because Costco and American Express could not reach a new agreement on terms — primarily around fees and rewards structure. Costco wanted a deal that would benefit members more, and American Express's terms did not align with that goal.

The move to Visa was significant for American Express holders, many of whom had built loyalty around earning Amex points at Costco. Existing American Express cards were honored through a transition period, but new American Express applications were no longer accepted, and the co-branded Costco American Express card was discontinued.

Today, Costco's partnership with Citi and Visa is exclusive. Costco has not announced plans to add other card networks, and the Visa-only policy has remained stable since 2016.

Costco.com and mobile payment options

On Costco.com, the same Visa-only rule applies to credit cards. You can also pay with debit cards, PayPal, and certain digital wallets. Apple Pay and Google Pay work on Costco.com if they are linked to a Visa card or Visa debit card — the underlying payment method must still be Visa.

In-warehouse, Costco does not currently accept mobile payment apps like Apple Pay or Google Pay at the register, even if they are linked to a Visa. You must present a physical Visa card or use cash, debit, or check.

Costco gift cards can be used for any purchase at any Costco location and do not have the Visa restriction. If you have a Costco gift card, you can use it regardless of what credit cards you own.

International travel and Costco card acceptance

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card works at Costco locations outside the United States, including Canada and Mexico, where Costco also operates warehouses. Visa acceptance is global, so the card functions as a standard Visa abroad.

If you are traveling internationally and want to shop at a Costco warehouse in another country, any Visa card will work. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card offers no special foreign transaction fee benefits — Citi charges a standard 3% foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the United States.

Non-Costco Visa cards may offer better foreign transaction terms depending on the issuer. If international Costco shopping is part of your travel plans, compare the foreign transaction fees on your cards before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Mastercard at Costco if I have a membership?

No. Membership status does not change the payment rules. Only Visa credit cards are accepted, regardless of whether you are a member or not. You can pay with debit, cash, or check instead.

Will Costco ever accept American Express again?

Costco has not indicated plans to change its Visa exclusivity. The partnership with Citi and Visa has been in place since 2016 with no public discussion of ending it. Any change would likely require a new agreement between Costco and American Express, which has not happened.

Do I have to get the Costco Visa card to shop there?

No. You can use any Visa card from any bank, or pay with debit, cash, or check. The Costco Visa card is optional and is only worth getting if you shop at Costco frequently enough to benefit from the 2% cash back on Costco purchases.

What if I have an old Costco American Express card?

Old Costco American Express cards stopped working at Costco after the partnership ended in 2016. If you still have one, it will be declined at checkout. You will need to use a different payment method or open a Costco Visa card.

Does the Visa-only rule explore at Costco gas stations?

Yes. Costco gas stations accept Visa credit cards only. Debit cards, cash, and checks are also accepted, but Mastercard, American Express, and Discover will not work at the pump or at the gas station counter.