Costco accepts only Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — not Discover or other cards
Costco stopped accepting Discover cards in 2016 and has not accepted them since. The warehouse also does not take Diners Club, JCB, or store-branded credit cards. If you want to use a credit card at Costco, it must be a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. This applies both in-warehouse and online at Costco.com.
The reason Costco limits its card acceptance is a business decision tied to the warehouse's membership model and payment processing agreements. Costco has long-standing contracts with specific card networks that shape which cards work at checkout. This is different from most retailers, which accept a wider range of payment methods.
If you have a Discover card or another card type not on the accepted list, you can still shop at Costco using cash, debit card, or a check. Costco also accepts its own branded Costco Anywhere Visa card, which is a Visa product and therefore works everywhere Visa is accepted.
Key Takeaways
- Costco accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express credit cards both in-warehouse and online.
- Discover cards, Diners Club, JCB, and store credit cards do not work at Costco.
- You can pay with cash, debit card, or check if your credit card is not accepted.
- The Costco Anywhere Visa card is a Visa product and works at Costco and everywhere else Visa is accepted.
- Costco's card restrictions have been in place since 2016 and explore to all Costco locations worldwide.
Why Costco has different card rules than other stores
Costco's payment restrictions come from its membership-based business model. The warehouse negotiates directly with card networks rather than accepting all cards that come through standard retail channels. This gives Costco more control over transaction costs and payment processing.
When Costco ended its Discover partnership in 2016, the warehouse was consolidating its payment agreements. At the same time, Costco signed an exclusive deal with Visa for its co-branded credit card, the Costco Anywhere Visa. That card offers rewards on Costco purchases and is the only credit card that earns bonus points at the warehouse.
Other retailers accept Discover because they use broader payment processors that handle multiple card networks. Costco's selective approach means fewer payment options for members, but the warehouse has decided this trade-off works for its business.
What to do if your primary credit card is not accepted
If you carry a Discover card or another card Costco does not accept, you have several options. The simplest is to bring a second card — a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express — specifically for Costco purchases. Many people keep one accepted card in their wallet for this reason.
You can also pay with a debit card linked to your bank account. Costco accepts debit cards from all major networks, including Discover debit cards. A debit card works the same way at checkout as a credit card, though the money comes directly from your account rather than being charged to a credit line.
Cash and checks are also accepted at all Costco locations. If you prefer not to carry multiple cards, paying with cash or check avoids the card acceptance issue entirely, though you will not earn credit card rewards.
The Costco Anywhere Visa card and its rewards
The Costco Anywhere Visa card is a co-branded credit card issued by Visa and Costco. It is the only credit card that earns bonus rewards at Costco — currently 2% cash back on Costco purchases (up to $110 per year, then 1%), 2% on gas at Costco gas stations, and 1% on all other purchases.
This card is available only to Costco members and requires a membership to open an account. The card itself is free — there is no annual fee. You can use it at Costco warehouses, Costco.com, and anywhere else Visa is accepted.
If you do not have the Costco Anywhere Visa card, other Visa, Mastercard, or American Express cards will work at Costco, but they will not earn Costco-specific rewards. Some cards offer cash back or points on all purchases, which you can earn at Costco, but Costco does not give bonus rewards for non-Costco cards.
Using your credit card online at Costco.com
Costco.com has the same card restrictions as the warehouse. You can use Visa, Mastercard, or American Express to pay for online orders. Discover cards are not accepted online either.
When you check out on Costco.com, the site will show you which payment methods are available. You can also save your card information to your Costco account for faster checkout on future orders. If you use the Costco Anywhere Visa card online, you will earn the same 2% cash back on purchases as you do in-warehouse.
Costco.com also accepts PayPal if you link a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express to your PayPal account. This gives you another way to pay if you do not want to enter your card details directly on the website.
International Costco locations and card acceptance
Costco operates warehouses in Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom, in addition to the United States. The card acceptance rules are the same at all international locations — Visa, Mastercard, and American Express only.
If you are traveling and plan to shop at a Costco warehouse outside the United States, bring a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express card. Discover cards will not work at any Costco location worldwide. Some international locations may also accept local payment methods like bank transfers or mobile payment apps, but credit card options remain limited to the three major networks.
What cards do not work at Costco
Discover cards are the most common card type not accepted at Costco. Diners Club cards, JCB cards (common in Asia), and store-branded credit cards from other retailers do not work either. If your card is not a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express, it will be declined at Costco checkout.
Some American Express cards are issued by banks or financial institutions as co-branded products. These still work at Costco as long as they carry the American Express network logo. The same applies to Visa and Mastercard — the bank that issues the card does not matter, only the network.
If you are unsure whether your card will work, check the front of your card for the Visa, Mastercard, or American Express logo. If you see one of those three, your card will be accepted. If you see Discover, Diners Club, or another network, it will not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Discover card at Costco if I call ahead?
No. Costco does not accept Discover cards under any circumstances, whether you call ahead or not. The restriction applies to all Discover cards at all Costco locations. If you want to shop at Costco with a credit card, you will need a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.
Does Costco accept Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Costco does not accept mobile payment apps like Apple Pay or Google Pay at this time. You must use a physical card or cash at the warehouse. Online at Costco.com, you can use PayPal if you link an accepted card to your PayPal account, but mobile wallets are not an option.
What if I have a Mastercard but it is declined at Costco?
If your Mastercard is declined, the issue is usually not the card network but your account status. Check with your bank to confirm the card is active and has not been flagged for fraud. Make sure you have not reached your credit limit. If the card works elsewhere, contact Costco customer service to report the issue.
Is the Costco Anywhere Visa card worth getting if I already have another Visa?
The Costco Anywhere Visa card is worth considering if you shop at Costco regularly. It earns 2% cash back on Costco purchases, which adds up over time. If you shop at Costco less than once a month, a general cash-back card may be a better choice. The Costco card has no annual fee, so there is no cost to compare.
Can I use a business credit card at Costco?
Yes, if your business credit card is a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express, it will work at Costco. You must have a Costco membership to shop there, and the membership can be either personal or business. Business cards from other networks will not be accepted.