Costco only accepts Visa cards, not Mastercard or American Express
Costco has an exclusive partnership with Visa. This means you can use any Visa card — whether it's from your bank, a rewards card, or a secured card — at Costco warehouses and on Costco.com. You cannot use Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or other card networks at Costco locations.
This partnership has been in place since 2006. It applies to all Costco warehouses in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. If you try to pay with a non-Visa card at the register, the transaction will be declined.
The only exception is the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, which Costco issues in partnership with Citi Bank. This card earns rewards on Costco purchases and offers additional benefits like travel insurance and roadside information. You can use it anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Costco.
Key Takeaways
- Costco accepts only Visa credit cards at warehouse locations and online, including any Visa card from any bank.
- Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards will not work at Costco, even if they work everywhere else.
- The Costco Anywhere Visa Card is Costco's co-branded card and earns rewards on Costco purchases, but you can use any Visa card to shop there.
- Costco accepts cash, debit cards (Visa or Mastercard), and checks at the warehouse, but credit card payments must be Visa.
- If you have a Mastercard or American Express, you will need to bring a different payment method or get a Visa card to shop at Costco.
What payment methods work at Costco besides Visa
While Visa is the only credit card accepted, Costco takes other forms of payment. You can pay with cash, personal checks, or a debit card. Debit cards can be Visa or Mastercard — the Visa-only rule applies to credit cards, not debit.
Costco also accepts Costco Cash, which is a gift card you can buy and reload. You can purchase Costco Cash at the warehouse or online, and use it like a prepaid card. Some members use this as a workaround if they don't have a Visa credit card.
Online at Costco.com, you can also use PayPal if you link a Visa card to your PayPal account. This gives you another route to pay online without entering your Visa details directly into the Costco website.
Why Costco chose Visa and what it means for you
Costco's deal with Visa is a business arrangement between two large companies. Visa pays Costco for the exclusive right to be the only credit card network accepted. This means Costco members who have Visa cards get a clear benefit — they know their card will work — and Costco gets revenue from the partnership.
For members who carry Mastercard or American Express, this creates friction. You cannot use your primary card at Costco, even if you have a membership. This is one reason some people keep a Visa card in their wallet even if they prefer another network.
Costco does not negotiate this rule. It is set by the partnership agreement with Visa and applies uniformly across all locations. You cannot ask a manager to make an exception or use a different card type.
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card and its rewards
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card is a credit card issued by Citi Bank in partnership with Costco. It earns cash back on Costco purchases: 2% on gas, 2% on travel, and 1% on everything else at Costco. You earn 1% cash back on all other purchases outside Costco.
This card is not required to shop at Costco. You can use any Visa card from any bank. But if you shop at Costco regularly, the rewards may offset the annual membership fee over time. The card itself has no annual fee.
You must have a Costco membership to open the Costco Anywhere Visa Card. If you do not have a membership, you cannot get this card. Once you have the card, you can use it at any merchant that accepts Visa, not just Costco.
What to do if you only have Mastercard or American Express
If your primary credit card is Mastercard or American Express, you have several options. The simplest is to get a Visa card from your bank. Many banks offer free Visa cards, and you can request one in person or online. It typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
You do not need to close your Mastercard or American Express. You can keep both and use the Visa card only at Costco. This is a common approach for people who prefer their rewards card at other merchants but need Visa for Costco.
Another option is to use cash or a debit card at Costco. If you have a debit card, it can be Mastercard or Visa — both work. You can also bring a checkbook and pay by check, though this is slower at the register.
If you shop at Costco frequently and want rewards, consider opening the Costco Anywhere Visa Card. You can explore for it at the warehouse or online if you have a Costco membership. The process takes a few minutes, and you get a temporary card number to use right away.
Costco's payment rules at the warehouse versus online
The Visa-only rule applies both in the warehouse and on Costco.com. You cannot use Mastercard or American Express online either. However, online you have one additional option: PayPal. If you link a Visa card to your PayPal account, you can check out using PayPal at Costco.com.
At the warehouse, you must present a physical card or cash. You cannot use PayPal or digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, even if they are linked to a Visa card. The payment terminal at Costco does not support these methods.
If you are a Costco member but forgot your membership card, you can still shop if you provide your phone number or email address at checkout. The payment method rule stays the same — Visa credit card, debit card, cash, or check.
International Costco locations and Visa acceptance
Costco operates in Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom, in addition to the United States. The Visa-only rule applies in Canada and Puerto Rico. In other countries, Costco may accept different payment methods based on local payment networks and partnerships.
If you are traveling and plan to shop at Costco internationally, check the Costco website for that country before you go. Payment rules can differ, and you may need to bring cash or a local card. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card works internationally anywhere Visa is accepted, but it is a U.S.-issued card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Mastercard at Costco if I have a membership?
No. Costco only accepts Visa credit cards, regardless of membership status. If you have a Mastercard, you will need to pay with cash, a debit card, a check, or get a Visa card. The rule applies at all U.S. Costco locations and on Costco.com.
Does the Costco Anywhere Visa Card have an annual fee?
No. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card has no annual fee. Your Costco membership has an annual fee, but the credit card itself is free. You earn cash back on purchases, which can help offset your membership cost if you shop regularly.
Can I use Apple Pay or Google Pay at Costco?
No. Costco does not accept digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay at warehouse locations. You must present a physical Visa card, debit card, cash, or check. Online at Costco.com, you can use PayPal if it is linked to a Visa card.
What if my Visa card is declined at Costco?
If your Visa card is declined, contact your bank. The decline is usually due to insufficient funds, a fraud alert, or an expired card. Costco's payment terminal accepts all Visa cards, so the issue is with your card or account, not Costco's system. You can pay with cash or another method while you resolve it with your bank.
Can I use a Visa gift card at Costco?
Yes. A Visa gift card is a Visa card, so it works at Costco just like any other Visa credit card. Make sure the gift card has enough balance for your purchase, and check that it has not expired. Some gift cards have set up requirements — follow the instructions on the card before using it.