Costco accepts only Visa cards, American Express, and their own Costco Anywhere Visa card — not Mastercard or Discover
Costco has a contract with Visa that limits which cards you can use in their warehouses and online. If your credit card is a Mastercard or Discover, it will be declined at checkout. This restriction applies to all Costco locations in the United States, Canada, and most other countries where Costco operates.
The rule is straightforward: bring a Visa, American Express, or Costco Anywhere Visa card, or you will need to pay another way. Debit cards work if they carry the Visa or American Express logo. Cash and checks are also accepted.
This is not a new policy — Costco has required Visa or American Express since 2016, when they ended their Mastercard agreement. If you have shopped at Costco before with a Mastercard, that card no longer works there.
Key Takeaways
- Costco accepts Visa, American Express, and the Costco Anywhere Visa card — Mastercard and Discover will be declined.
- The restriction applies at all warehouse locations and on Costco.com, with no exceptions for members or non-members.
- If you do not own a Visa or American Express card, you can pay with cash, check, or a debit card that carries one of those logos.
- The Costco Anywhere Visa card earns cash back on Costco purchases and can be used anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Costco.
- Costco's contract with Visa has been in place since 2016 and shows no signs of changing.
Why Costco only accepts Visa and American Express
Costco signed an exclusive contract with Visa in 2015 that took effect in 2016. Under this deal, Visa became the only network card Costco would accept, with the exception of American Express — which Costco kept because of a separate long-standing relationship. Mastercard and Discover were excluded entirely.
The contract benefits both sides. Costco negotiates lower processing fees from Visa in exchange for the exclusive arrangement. Visa gains access to Costco's high-spending customer base. American Express kept its place because Costco members have historically used American Express cards at high rates, and Costco did not want to lose that revenue stream.
This is a business decision, not a technical limitation. Costco's payment systems can process any card network — they straightforward choose not to accept Mastercard or Discover as part of their agreement with Visa.
What happens if you try to use a Mastercard or Discover at Costco
Your card will be declined at the register or online. The payment terminal will reject it before the transaction goes through, so you will not be charged. The cashier or website will tell you that card is not accepted and ask you to provide a different payment method.
This happens when ready — there is no waiting period or appeal process. If you do not have another card or cash on hand, you will need to leave and return with an accepted payment method.
Some members discover this the hard way when they switch banks and receive a new Mastercard without realizing Costco does not take it. If this happens to you, contact your bank and ask them to issue you a Visa debit card instead, or open a new account at a bank that offers Visa cards.
The Costco Anywhere Visa card and its rewards
The Costco Anywhere Visa card is a credit card issued by Citi that carries the Visa logo. It is the only credit card Costco brands itself, and it earns cash back on Costco purchases. The cash back rate varies — currently 2% on Costco gas and travel, 1.5% on Costco warehouse purchases, and 1% on all other Visa purchases.
You do not have to own this card to shop at Costco. Any Visa or American Express card works. The Costco Anywhere card is useful only if you shop at Costco regularly and want to earn cash back on those purchases. The cash back is paid as an annual reward certificate that you can use at Costco or redeem for cash.
To get the Costco Anywhere Visa card, you explore through Citi's website or in the Costco warehouse. You need a Costco membership to own the card, and you must be a member to redeem the cash back reward. The card has an annual fee — currently $65 for the standard version and $130 for the Executive version, which earns higher cash back rates.
Using a regular Visa or American Express card at Costco
Any Visa or American Express card — whether credit or debit — works at Costco without restrictions. You do not need the Costco Anywhere card. A Visa card from your bank, a travel rewards Visa from another issuer, or an American Express personal card all work the same way at checkout.
If you own multiple Visa cards, you can use whichever one you prefer. Costco does not require you to use a specific Visa card or to have a Costco-branded card. The only requirement is that the card carries the Visa or American Express logo.
American Express cards work both in the warehouse and online. Visa cards also work both places. There is no difference in acceptance between credit and debit versions of either network.
Paying at Costco without a Visa or American Express card
If you do not own a Visa or American Express card, you have two other payment options: cash and checks. Both are accepted at all Costco locations.
Cash is the simplest option — bring bills and coins to the register. Checks must be written to Costco and include your membership number. Some locations may ask for a second form of ID when you pay by check.
A debit card works if it carries the Visa or American Express logo. Many banks issue debit cards on the Visa network, so check your debit card to see which network it uses. If your debit card is Mastercard or Discover, it will be declined just like a credit card on those networks.
Costco's membership card is not a payment method
Your Costco membership card is not a credit card and cannot be used to pay for purchases. It is an ID card that proves you are a member and may have access to to shop there. You must present it at the entrance and at checkout, but you still need a separate payment method — a Visa, American Express, cash, or check.
Some members confuse the membership card with a payment card because both are plastic and both are required at checkout. They are separate things. The membership card grants you access to the warehouse. The payment card (or cash) pays for what you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Mastercard at Costco if I am an Executive member?
No. Membership level does not change the payment card rules. Executive members, Gold Star members, and non-members all face the same restriction: Visa and American Express only. Mastercard will be declined regardless of your membership status.
Does Costco accept Mastercard online?
No. Costco.com has the same payment restrictions as the warehouse. Mastercard and Discover are not accepted online either. You must use Visa, American Express, cash (for warehouse pickup orders), or check.
What if my bank only offers Mastercard or Discover?
Contact your bank and ask them to issue you a Visa debit card instead. Most large banks offer Visa debit cards alongside Mastercard options. If your current bank does not, you can open a checking account at another bank that issues Visa debit cards, or explore for a Visa credit card from a different issuer.
Can I use a Visa gift card at Costco?
Yes. Any Visa card, including gift cards, works at Costco. The card does not have to be a credit card or a debit card — it only needs to carry the Visa logo. The same applies to American Express gift cards.
Will Costco ever accept Mastercard again?
Costco's contract with Visa runs through at least 2026 and has been extended multiple times since 2016. There is no public indication that Costco plans to add Mastercard or Discover. If the contract changes in the future, Costco would announce it publicly, but that is not expected in the near term.