Costco takes Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — but not Discover or Diners Club
Costco accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express at all warehouse locations and on their website. They do not take Discover, Diners Club, or store-branded credit cards. This policy applies whether you're shopping in person or ordering online for delivery or pickup.
The one exception is Costco's own Costco Anywhere Visa card, which works everywhere Visa is accepted — including at Costco itself. If you don't have one of these accepted cards, you can pay with debit cards, PIN-based debit, cash, or checks at the warehouse. Online orders require a credit card or debit card.
Key Takeaways
- Costco accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express both in warehouses and online, but not Discover or Diners Club.
- The Costco Anywhere Visa card earns rewards on Costco purchases and works at any merchant that takes Visa.
- If you don't have an accepted credit card, you can use debit cards, PIN debit, cash, or checks at the warehouse.
- Online orders require a credit or debit card — cash and checks are not an option for web purchases.
Why Costco Limits Which Cards They Take
Costco's card restrictions come down to a business decision about which payment networks they want to work with. When a store accepts a card, they pay a fee to the card network and the card issuer — usually between 1.5% and 3% of the purchase total. By accepting only three major networks, Costco negotiates lower fees than they would if they took every card type.
Discover and Diners Club have smaller networks, so Costco decided the cost of accepting them wasn't worth the benefit. This is why you'll see the same pattern at other warehouse clubs and some large retailers — they choose which cards to accept based on volume and negotiating power.
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card and Its Rewards
The Costco Anywhere Visa card is a rewards card issued by Citi that earns cash back on Costco purchases. You earn 2% back on gas, 2% on travel booked through Costco, and 1% on everything else at Costco. Outside Costco, you earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
The card has an annual fee of $65 for the standard version and $130 for the Executive version. The Executive version earns higher rewards (2% on Costco purchases instead of 1%), but you need to do the math on whether the extra cash back covers the higher fee for your spending pattern. You don't need to be a Costco member to get the card, but you do need a membership to shop at Costco.
The card works at any merchant that accepts Visa, not just at Costco. This means if you have a Discover card you prefer elsewhere, you can use the Costco Visa at Costco and your Discover card at other stores.
What Payment Methods Work at Costco Warehouses
At a physical Costco warehouse, you can pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit cards, PIN-based debit, cash, or checks. You must have a valid Costco membership card to enter the warehouse and make a purchase. If you're paying by check, Costco will ask for a driver's license or other government ID.
Some Costco locations have self-checkout, but the payment methods accepted are the same. If you're buying alcohol, you'll need to go through a regular checkout lane where staff can verify your age.
Paying for Online Orders
Costco.com requires a credit card or debit card for all online purchases. You cannot pay with cash, check, or PIN debit online. The site accepts the same credit cards as the warehouses — Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — plus debit cards from any bank.
If you're ordering for delivery or pickup, the payment goes through when you place the order, not when you pick it up. Make sure the card you use is valid and has enough available credit or funds, because Costco will charge it when ready.
What to Do If You Don't Have an Accepted Card
If you have a Discover card or Diners Club card and want to shop at Costco, your best option is to bring a debit card, cash, or a check to the warehouse. You don't need to get a new credit card just to shop there — debit works the same way at checkout.
If you shop online frequently and don't have Visa, Mastercard, or American Express, you'll need to get one of those cards or use a debit card. Many banks offer debit cards with no annual fee, so that's often the easiest path if you don't already have a compatible credit card.
Some people open a Costco Anywhere Visa card specifically to earn rewards on their Costco purchases, even if they already have other cards. Whether that makes sense depends on whether the 2% cash back on Costco purchases outweighs the $65 annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Discover card at Costco?
No, Costco does not accept Discover cards at warehouses or online. You can use a debit card, cash, or check at the warehouse instead. For online orders, you'll need to use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or a debit card.
Do I need a Costco credit card to shop there?
No. You need a Costco membership, but you can pay with any accepted card, debit, cash, or check. The Costco Anywhere Visa is optional and only worth getting if you shop at Costco regularly and want the cash back rewards.
What if I only have a Diners Club card?
Costco does not accept Diners Club. Bring a debit card, cash, or check to the warehouse. If you shop online, use a debit card or open a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express account.
Can I use a gift card to pay at Costco instead of a credit card?
Costco gift cards can be used to pay for purchases, but you still need an accepted payment method if your purchase exceeds the gift card balance. You can combine a gift card with a credit card, debit card, cash, or check.
Does Costco take Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Costco warehouses do not accept mobile payment apps like Apple Pay or Google Pay. You must use a physical card, debit card, cash, or check. Some Costco locations are testing mobile payments, so this may change in the future.