Costco accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover at all warehouse locations and online
Costco stopped accepting Visa as its primary card in 2016 and switched to Mastercard. Today, Costco takes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover everywhere — in the warehouse, at the gas station, and on Costco.com. The warehouse also accepts its own Costco Anywhere Visa card, which is issued by Citi and earns rewards on Costco purchases.
Costco does not accept American Express at the gas station, even though it accepts it inside the warehouse. If you want to use a card at the pump, bring Visa, Mastercard, or Discover instead. Cash and Costco Cash cards (a prepaid option) work at both locations.
Key Takeaways
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are all accepted inside Costco warehouses and on the website.
- The Costco Anywhere Visa card earns 4% back on gas, 3% back on travel, and 2% back on other Costco purchases.
- American Express is not accepted at Costco gas stations, so use Visa, Mastercard, or Discover there instead.
- Costco does not accept Diners Club, JCB, or other specialty cards, and does not take personal checks anymore.
The Costco Anywhere Visa card and its rewards structure
The Costco Anywhere Visa card is a rewards card issued by Citi that you can use anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Costco. At Costco and Costco.com, it earns 2% cash back on most purchases. At Costco gas stations, it earns 4% cash back. On travel booked through Costco Travel, it earns 3% cash back.
You do not need a Costco membership to open the card, but you do need one to shop at Costco and redeem your rewards. The card has an annual fee — the amount varies and changes periodically, so check Citi's website for the current rate. Rewards are paid as an annual statement credit or can be redeemed as a Costco Cash card.
If you already have a Costco membership, you can request the card at the membership desk or explore online through Citi. The card is not the same as a Costco Cash card; it is a credit card that you pay off each month like any other Visa.
What happens if you try to use a card Costco does not accept
If you reach the checkout with a card Costco does not take — Diners Club, JCB, or a store card from another retailer — the register will decline it. You will need to pay with a different method: a card Costco accepts, cash, or a Costco Cash card.
Some older Costco members remember the warehouse accepting American Express for decades. That ended in 2016 when Costco and American Express did not renew their partnership. American Express is accepted again now, but only inside the warehouse, not at the fuel station.
Paying at Costco gas stations versus the warehouse
Costco gas stations have stricter card rules than the warehouse. At the pump, you can use Visa, Mastercard, or Discover. You cannot use American Express, even if you have the Costco Anywhere Visa card (because that card is a Visa, it works fine — the restriction is on American Express brand cards only).
Inside the warehouse, all four major card brands work: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. If you plan to fill up at Costco, bring one of the three accepted brands or pay with cash.
Online purchases on Costco.com
Costco.com accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover for online orders. You can also pay with a Costco Cash card or a digital wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay, as long as the wallet is linked to an accepted card.
If you are a Costco member, you can save your card information to your account for faster checkout on future orders. Non-members can place orders on Costco.com for delivery or pickup, but membership is required to enter the warehouse.
Other payment methods Costco accepts
Beyond credit and debit cards, Costco takes cash at all locations. The warehouse also sells and accepts Costco Cash cards, which are prepaid cards you load with money and use like a gift card. These work at the warehouse, the gas station, and online.
Costco stopped accepting personal checks in 2016. If you used to pay by check, you will need to switch to one of the accepted payment methods. Costco does not accept PayPal, Venmo, or other digital payment apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my American Express card at the Costco gas pump?
No. American Express is accepted inside the warehouse but not at the fuel station. Use Visa, Mastercard, or Discover at the pump instead. If you have the Costco Anywhere Visa card, that works at the pump because it is a Visa product.
Do I need a Costco membership to get the Costco Anywhere Visa card?
No, you can open the card without a membership. However, you will need a membership to shop at Costco and to redeem your rewards. Many people open the card first, then purchase a membership afterward.
What if I have a Costco Cash card instead of a credit card?
Costco Cash cards work everywhere in Costco — the warehouse, the gas station, and online. They are prepaid, so you load them with money first. You can buy them at the membership desk or use rewards from the Costco Anywhere Visa card to load one.
Can I use digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay at Costco?
Yes, if the wallet is linked to a card Costco accepts. Apple Pay and Google Pay work at the warehouse and online if they are connected to Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. Check with your wallet provider to confirm which cards you have linked.
Does Costco accept Diners Club or other specialty cards?
No. Costco only takes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and its own Costco Anywhere Visa card. Specialty cards like Diners Club and JCB are not accepted. If you have one of those cards, pay with cash or a Costco Cash card instead.