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Costco has specific rules about which credit cards you can use at checkout—and they've changed over time. Understanding what's accepted (and why) helps you plan which payment method to use and whether a Costco membership card makes sense for your situation.
Visa is the only credit card brand Costco accepts at warehouse locations and online. This partnership has been in place since 2006 and remains exclusive. If you want to pay with a credit card at Costco, it must be a Visa.
American Express, Mastercard, and Discover are not accepted as credit cards at Costco checkouts, though this wasn't always the case. Costco switched from American Express to Visa over a decade ago, and the exclusivity has held since then.
Even though Costco only accepts Visa credit cards, you have other ways to pay:
The key distinction: if you want to use a credit card, it must be Visa. But you're not limited to credit cards as a payment method.
Costco offers a co-branded Costco Anywhere Visa Card, which some members use specifically because it's accepted everywhere Visa is accepted—both inside and outside Costco. This card typically comes with Costco-specific benefits (like cashback rates or travel perks), though the exact terms vary.
However, you don't need a co-branded card to shop at Costco. Any Visa credit card will work.
Costco's switch from American Express to Visa in 2006 reflected a business negotiation between the two companies. Visa's larger network and different pricing structure made it the better fit for Costco's model at that time. The exclusivity has remained stable since then, making it one of the few major retailers with a single credit card brand partnership.
If you only carry American Express, Mastercard, or Discover credit cards, you'll need to use a different payment method at Costco—cash, debit, or a Visa card you obtain separately. Some people choose to get a Visa specifically for Costco shopping; others simply use cash or debit.
The exclusivity also means Costco members can't compare cashback or rewards across multiple credit card brands for warehouse purchases. Your options are limited to Visa cards available to you, which affects how you might optimize rewards or benefits.
Costco.com (the online warehouse) accepts the same Visa requirement for credit card purchases. If you're shopping internationally at Costco locations outside the U.S., check local payment rules, as they may differ.
What matters for your situation: Do you currently have a Visa card? Would a co-branded Costco card's benefits justify applying for a new card? Or do cash and debit work fine for your shopping habits? The payment method that makes sense depends entirely on what you already have and what fits your spending style.
