Costco accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover at all warehouse locations and on Costco.com

Costco takes four major card networks: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. This applies whether you shop in a warehouse, at the gas station, or online. Diners Club and other smaller networks are not accepted.

The card itself does not need to be a Costco-branded card. Any Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card from any bank or issuer will work at checkout. This includes business cards, secured cards, prepaid cards, and debit cards that carry one of these four logos.

Costco does not accept American Express cards at the gas station pumps — only at the warehouse register and online. If you want to pay for gas with a card, you must use Visa, Mastercard, or Discover.

Key Takeaways

  • Costco accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover everywhere except the gas pump, where American Express is excluded.
  • The card does not have to be a Costco card — any card from any bank carrying one of these four logos will work.
  • Costco does not accept Diners Club, JCB, or other smaller card networks at any location.
  • Debit cards and prepaid cards work as long as they carry a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover logo.
  • Cash and checks are still accepted at Costco warehouses, though checks require a Costco membership card and valid ID.

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card and rewards

Costco offers its own credit card through Visa: the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, issued by Citi. This card earns cash back on Costco purchases and at gas stations, restaurants, and travel. Members who use this card get 2% back on Costco purchases, 2% at Costco gas stations, and 1% on all other purchases.

The Costco Anywhere Visa is not required to shop at Costco. It is one option among the four networks Costco accepts. Non-members cannot hold this card, and cardholders must maintain an active Costco membership to keep the account open.

Costco also offers a Costco Anywhere Visa Card for American Express members, which is a separate product. This card earns the same cash back rates and is issued by American Express instead of Citi. Both versions charge an annual fee.

What happens if you use a card Costco doesn't accept

If you try to pay with a card network Costco does not accept — such as Diners Club, JCB, or a store card from another retailer — the transaction will be declined at the register. You will need to provide a different payment method.

Costco's payment system is set up to reject these cards automatically, so there is no way to override the decline or ask a manager to process it manually. Your options are to use a different card, pay with cash or check, or use a debit card if you have one with an accepted logo.

Payment methods beyond credit cards

Costco accepts cash at all warehouse locations. You do not need to use a card if you prefer to pay with bills and coins.

Personal checks are accepted in warehouses if you present a valid government-issued ID and your Costco membership card. Checks must be written to Costco and drawn on a U.S. bank. Costco does not accept checks at the gas station or online.

On Costco.com, you can pay with any accepted credit card, a debit card with a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover logo, or a PayPal account linked to one of these payment methods.

International shopping and currency

If you shop at a Costco warehouse outside the United States, the accepted card networks may differ. Costco locations in Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom may have different payment rules based on local banking systems and agreements.

When you use a U.S.-issued Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card at an international Costco, the transaction will typically go through, but your bank will charge a foreign transaction fee. Check your card's terms to see what that fee is before you travel.

Costco membership and payment

Your Costco membership card and your payment card are separate. You need a membership card to enter the warehouse and shop, but you can pay with any accepted card network — including a card from a different bank than your membership account.

If you are a member but do not have a Costco Anywhere Visa Card, you can still earn rewards through Costco's rewards program if you link a non-Costco card to your membership account. The rewards rate will be lower than the Costco card offers, but you will still earn cash back on may have access to purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an American Express card at the Costco gas station?

No. American Express is accepted in the warehouse and online, but not at the gas pumps. You must use Visa, Mastercard, or Discover to pay for gas. This is a long-standing agreement between Costco and Visa.

Do I need a Costco credit card to shop there?

No. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card is optional. You can pay with any Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card from any bank, or use cash or checks. The Costco card straightforward offers higher cash back rates on Costco purchases.

What if my debit card has a Visa or Mastercard logo?

It will work at Costco just like a credit card. Debit cards that carry one of the four accepted logos are treated the same way at checkout. You will be asked to enter your PIN or sign, depending on how your bank set up the card.

Can I use a prepaid card at Costco?

Yes, as long as the prepaid card has a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover logo on it. Prepaid cards work like any other card at the register and online.

Does Costco accept Apple Pay or Google Pay?

Costco warehouses do not accept mobile wallet payments like Apple Pay or Google Pay at this time. You must present a physical card or use cash. Costco.com does not support these payment methods either.