Costco accepts only Visa cards, plus their own Costco Anywhere Visa card

Costco stopped accepting American Express, Discover, and Mastercard in 2016. Today, the warehouse will take any Visa card — whether issued by your bank, a credit union, or Visa itself — but no other network. The one exception is the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, which is Costco's co-branded card and earns rewards on Costco purchases.

This means if you have an American Express or Discover card you love, you cannot use it at Costco warehouses or on Costco.com. Mastercard holders face the same restriction. The policy applies to both in-warehouse shopping and online orders. Gas stations inside Costco warehouses have a separate rule: they accept only the Costco Anywhere Visa or any other Visa card, but not Mastercard or Discover.

If you do not have a Visa card, you can still shop at Costco by paying with cash, debit card, or check. Many members keep a basic Visa card on file specifically for Costco purchases, even if they earn rewards elsewhere with other networks.

Key Takeaways

  • Costco accepts Visa cards from any issuer, plus the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, but no American Express, Mastercard, or Discover cards.
  • The Costco Anywhere Visa Card earns 4% back on gas (including Costco pumps), 3% on restaurants and travel, 2% on Costco purchases, and 1% on everything else.
  • You do not need a credit card to shop at Costco — cash, debit, and checks are accepted at all locations.
  • The Visa-only policy applies both in warehouses and on Costco.com, with no exceptions for members or business accounts.
  • If you carry a Mastercard or Discover card as your primary card, you will need a separate Visa card or payment method for Costco.

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card and its rewards structure

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is the only co-branded card Costco offers, and it is the highest-earning option for frequent Costco shoppers. The card earns 4% cash back on gas purchases (including Costco gas stations), 3% on restaurants and travel, 2% on Costco warehouse purchases and Costco.com orders, and 1% on all other purchases. There is no annual fee.

The 2% back on Costco purchases applies only to members who hold the card. If you shop at Costco but do not have a membership, you cannot open this card. Rewards are paid as an annual rebate check or deposited into your Costco account, depending on how you set it up. The rebate arrives once per year, usually in December.

The card also includes roadside information, travel accident insurance, and emergency medical and dental coverage while traveling outside the United States. These benefits are secondary coverage, meaning they pay after your primary insurance. The card does not offer a sign-up bonus or introductory rate.

How the Visa-only policy affects your shopping choices

Costco's decision to accept only Visa created a real constraint for members who prefer other networks. If you are a Mastercard rewards enthusiast or you have built up points with American Express, you cannot use those cards at Costco. This forces a choice: open a Visa card specifically for Costco, use a non-card payment method, or shop elsewhere.

The policy also means you cannot combine Costco purchases with other rewards programs you may be chasing. For example, if you are working toward a sign-up bonus on an American Express card, Costco spending will not count toward it. The same applies to Mastercard or Discover bonuses. You are limited to Visa rewards only.

For online shopping on Costco.com, the Visa requirement is just as strict. You cannot save a Mastercard or Discover card to your account, even if you have a Costco membership. This can be inconvenient if you prefer to shop online but your primary card is not Visa.

Comparing the Costco Visa to other Visa cards for warehouse shopping

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card is not the only Visa option at Costco, but it is the most rewarding for members who spend regularly at the warehouse. A basic Visa card from your bank earns no rewards at Costco. A premium Visa card from another issuer might earn 1% to 2% back on all purchases, which is less than the Costco card's 2% on warehouse purchases.

If you already hold a Visa card with a high annual fee and strong travel benefits, it may not make sense to add the Costco card just for warehouse shopping. But if you do not have a Visa card at all, or if you carry a basic Visa with no rewards, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card is worth opening. The 2% back on Costco purchases and 4% on gas add up quickly for members who visit the warehouse weekly or buy gas regularly.

Some Visa cards offer rotating 5% categories or flat 2% cash back on all purchases. If you already earn 2% or more on everything with another Visa card, the Costco card's 2% on warehouse purchases alone may not justify a second card. The decision depends on how much you spend at Costco versus other retailers.

What happens if you try to use a non-Visa card at Costco

If you attempt to pay with a Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card at a Costco warehouse, the payment will be declined. The card reader will not process the transaction. The same happens on Costco.com — the website will not accept the card number during checkout.

Costco staff cannot override this rule or make exceptions. The restriction is built into their payment system, not a policy that employees can waive. If you arrive at checkout with only a non-Visa card, you will need to use cash, a debit card, or a check instead. Some members keep a basic Visa card in their wallet for this reason, even if they do not use it elsewhere.

The restriction also applies to business accounts and Gold Star memberships. There is no membership tier or account type that allows Mastercard or Discover at Costco. Executive members face the same Visa-only rule.

Debit cards, cash, and other payment methods at Costco

If you do not have a Visa card, you have other ways to pay at Costco. Debit cards are accepted regardless of the network — Visa debit, Mastercard debit, or any other debit card will work. This is a key difference from credit cards. You can use a Mastercard debit card at Costco even though Mastercard credit cards are not accepted.

Cash and checks are also accepted at all Costco locations. Some warehouses have limits on check amounts, so ask at the register if you plan to pay by check. Costco does not accept PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or other digital wallets at the warehouse, though these may work on Costco.com depending on how they are linked to your payment method.

If you shop on Costco.com, you can also use a Visa card, Visa debit card, or a debit card from another network. The online store has slightly more flexibility than the warehouse, but credit cards are still limited to Visa only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Mastercard debit card at Costco?

Yes. Costco accepts debit cards from all networks, including Mastercard debit. The Visa-only rule applies only to credit cards. If you have a Mastercard debit card, you can use it at the warehouse or on Costco.com without any problem.

Does Costco accept American Express at the gas station?

No. The gas stations inside Costco warehouses have the same Visa-only rule as the warehouse itself. American Express, Mastercard, and Discover are not accepted at Costco pumps. You can pay with cash, a Visa card, or a Visa debit card.

What if I have a Costco Anywhere Visa Card but I do not have a Costco membership?

You cannot open a Costco Anywhere Visa Card without an active Costco membership. Citi requires proof of membership when you explore. If your membership expires, you may lose the ability to use the card at Costco, though Citi's terms on this vary.

Can I use my Discover card on Costco.com?

No. Costco.com has the same payment restrictions as the warehouse. Only Visa credit cards are accepted online. You can use a Discover debit card or pay with cash through other methods, but Discover credit cards will not work.

Is there a sign-up bonus on the Costco Anywhere Visa Card?

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card does not offer a sign-up bonus. Citi focuses the card's value on ongoing rewards — 2% back on Costco purchases and 4% on gas — rather than a one-time welcome offer. The card has no annual fee, which is the main benefit for new cardholders.