Costco accepts Visa cards and Visa-branded debit cards, but not American Express, Mastercard, or Discover
If you walk to a Costco checkout with an American Express or Mastercard in your wallet, it will not work. Costco has a long-standing agreement with Visa that makes Visa the only credit card network accepted in its warehouses and on its website. This means any card with a Visa logo — whether it is a personal credit card, a business credit card, or a debit card — will go through. Cards from American Express, Mastercard, and Discover will be declined.
This is not a recent change. Costco switched from American Express to Visa in 2016 and has kept that arrangement since. If you have shopped at Costco before and used a different card, that was before the switch. The rule applies everywhere: at the warehouse register, at the gas station, and when you order online.
Key Takeaways
- Costco accepts only Visa credit cards, Visa debit cards, and Visa-branded prepaid cards at all locations and online.
- American Express, Mastercard, and Discover cards will be declined, even if you have a Costco membership.
- You can still pay with cash, checks, or a debit card from any bank — as long as it carries the Visa logo.
- Costco's Visa requirement has been in place since 2016 and applies to both warehouse purchases and gas station fuel.
- If you do not have a Visa card, opening a Costco-branded Visa credit card or using a regular Visa debit card are your main options.
What payment methods work at Costco besides Visa credit cards
You do not have to own a credit card to shop at Costco. Cash and checks both work at the register. If you have a debit card from your bank, it will work as long as it displays the Visa logo — most debit cards issued in the United States do carry Visa or Mastercard branding, so check the front of your card.
Costco also accepts its own branded Visa credit card, called the Costco Anywhere Visa Card. This is a Visa card, so it follows the same rule: it works everywhere Visa is accepted, including at Costco. Some members use this card specifically because it earns rewards on Costco purchases. You do not have to use the Costco card to shop there, but if you want to use a credit card, it is one option.
Mobile payment apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay work at Costco if the underlying card is a Visa. When you add a Visa card to your phone's wallet, you can tap or scan at checkout. The same rule applies: the card underneath has to be Visa.
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card and its rewards structure
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card is issued by Citi and comes in two versions: one for members who want to earn cash back, and one for business members. Both are Visa cards, so both work at Costco and everywhere else Visa is accepted.
The personal version earns 2% cash back on Costco purchases and gas, 1% on travel booked through Costco, and 1% on all other purchases. The business version has a different structure: 2% on Costco purchases, 1% on gas and travel, and 1% on other purchases. Both cards charge an annual fee, which varies. You can find the current fee on Costco's website or by calling the card issuer.
You do not have to carry the Costco card to shop at Costco. You can use any Visa card — a card from your bank, a card from another issuer, or a Visa debit card. The Costco card is useful if you shop at Costco often and want to earn rewards on those purchases, but it is not required.
Why Costco switched from American Express to Visa
In 2016, Costco and American Express ended their partnership. Costco then signed an agreement with Visa to be the exclusive credit card network in its warehouses. The reason for the switch was financial: American Express charged Costco higher fees per transaction than Visa did. By moving to Visa, Costco reduced its payment processing costs.
This kind of deal — where a large retailer partners with one card network — is not unusual. Warehouse clubs and some other big retailers negotiate these agreements to control costs. The trade-off for customers is that you have fewer card options at that store, but the retailer passes some of those savings along through lower prices or better rewards programs.
If you were a Costco member before 2016 and used American Express, you would have seen the change happen. Costco gave members time to adjust and made it clear which cards would work going forward. The rule has stayed the same for nearly a decade.
What to do if you only have an American Express or Mastercard
If your only credit card is American Express or Mastercard, you have several options. The simplest is to pay with cash or a check at the register. Both work at every Costco location. If you prefer not to carry large amounts of cash, this is still a reliable backup.
You can also open a Visa debit card through your bank. Most banks offer Visa debit cards as standard, so if you have a checking account, you may already have one. Call your bank or log into your account online to check what card you have. If it is Mastercard or another network, you can request a Visa debit card be issued to your account.
A third option is to open the Costco Anywhere Visa Card. This requires a credit check and approval from Citi, the card issuer. If you are approved, you will have a Visa card that works at Costco and everywhere else. Keep in mind this card has an annual fee, so you should factor that into your decision.
Costco's payment rules at the gas station and online
Costco's Visa-only rule applies at the gas pumps just as it does at the warehouse register. If you fill up at a Costco gas station, you must use a Visa card, a Visa debit card, or pay with cash. American Express and Mastercard will not work at the pump.
The same rule holds when you order online at Costco.com. You can pay with a Visa credit card or Visa debit card. You can also use a mobile payment app if it is linked to a Visa card. American Express and Mastercard will be declined during checkout.
Costco does not accept PayPal, Amazon Pay, or other third-party payment services on its website. Your payment method has to be a Visa card or a Visa-branded debit or prepaid card.
How to check if your card is Visa before you shop
Look at the front of your card. If you see the Visa logo — a blue and gold rectangle with the word "Visa" — your card will work at Costco. The logo is usually in the bottom right corner or bottom left corner of the card. If you see the American Express centurion logo, the Mastercard overlapping circles, or the Discover orange circle, your card will not work.
If you are not sure, you can also call Costco's member services or check your bank's website. Your bank can tell you what network your debit card uses. If you have a credit card from another issuer, the issuer's website or your card statement will show the network.
When you are shopping online, Costco's checkout page will show you which card types are accepted. If you try to enter a Mastercard or American Express number, the system will reject it before you complete your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my American Express at Costco if I have a membership?
No. Costco does not accept American Express anywhere — not at the warehouse, the gas station, or online — regardless of membership status. You will need to use a Visa card, pay with cash, or write a check. The membership card itself is separate from your payment method.
Does Costco accept Mastercard?
Costco does not accept Mastercard credit cards or Mastercard debit cards. However, if your debit card is Visa-branded, it will work even if your bank also issues Mastercard options. Check the logo on your specific card to be sure.
What if I use Apple Pay or Google Pay with my Mastercard?
Mobile payment apps only work at Costco if the underlying card is Visa. If you add a Mastercard to Apple Pay or Google Pay and try to pay at Costco, it will be declined. You would need to add a Visa card to your phone's wallet instead.
Is the Costco Visa card worth the annual fee?
That depends on how often you shop at Costco and how much you spend. The card earns 2% cash back on Costco purchases, so if you spend enough to earn rewards that exceed the annual fee, it may be worth it. Compare the fee and rewards rate to other Visa cards you might use to decide if it makes sense for your situation.
Can I pay for my Costco membership with a Mastercard even if I can't use it to shop?
Yes. You can renew or purchase your Costco membership using any card, including Mastercard or American Express. The payment method restriction applies only to purchases at checkout, not to membership fees paid online or at the membership desk.