Costco accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — but only Visa at the gas station
Costco's payment rules are stricter than most retailers. Inside the warehouse, you can use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. At the Costco gas station, only Visa works — Mastercard and American Express are not accepted there, and Discover is not accepted anywhere at Costco.
This matters because many people carry a single card and assume it will work everywhere. If you have an American Express card and want to buy gas at Costco, you will need a different card. Costco does not accept Diners Club, JCB, or store cards from other retailers.
Costco also accepts debit cards, cash, and checks at the warehouse. Online orders through Costco.com have different rules — they accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, plus PayPal and Costco Cash cards.
Key Takeaways
- Visa is the only credit card brand accepted at Costco gas stations; Mastercard and American Express work inside the warehouse but not at the pump.
- Discover is accepted inside Costco warehouses but not at gas stations or on Costco.com.
- Costco's Anywhere Visa card earns rewards on Costco purchases and is the card most people use there, but any Visa from any bank will work.
- If you shop at Costco regularly and want to maximize rewards, a Costco-branded Visa typically offers higher cashback rates than a standard Visa from another bank.
The Costco Anywhere Visa card versus other Visa options
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card is issued by Citi and is the card Costco actively promotes. It earns 4% cashback on gas (including Costco gas), 3% on restaurants and travel, 2% on Costco purchases, and 1% on everything else. The card has an annual fee, which Costco members pay but non-members do not.
You do not have to use the Costco Visa to shop at Costco. Any Visa from any bank will work — a card from Chase, Bank of America, or a credit union Visa will all be accepted. The difference is rewards. A standard Visa might earn 1% to 2% cashback on all purchases, while the Costco Visa earns more at Costco and on gas.
If you rarely buy gas or do not shop at Costco often, a standard Visa may make more sense because it has no annual fee. If you fill up at Costco regularly and buy groceries there, the Costco Visa's higher cashback on those categories often covers the annual fee within a few months.
Why Costco limits which cards it accepts
Costco's card restrictions come from its business model. The warehouse charges membership fees instead of marking up products heavily, so it keeps costs low by controlling which payment networks it uses. Each card network charges Costco a fee for processing transactions — Visa's fee is lower than American Express's, so Costco negotiated to accept Visa at the gas station and limit American Express to the warehouse.
This is not unique to Costco. Some gas stations and retailers do the same thing. The difference is that Costco is transparent about it — the rules are posted at the entrance and on the website, so you know before you get to the register.
What to do if your card is not accepted
If you arrive at Costco with a card that is not accepted, you have several options. You can pay with a debit card, cash, or check. You can also ask to use a different card if someone in your household has one. If you shop at Costco regularly, it may be worth opening a Costco Visa or keeping a Visa from another bank in your wallet specifically for Costco trips.
If you use American Express for rewards and want to shop at Costco, you can still earn rewards through Costco's membership program. Costco members earn 2% back on most Costco purchases (1% for non-members) through the Costco Rewards program, which is separate from credit card rewards. You would pay with a debit card or Visa and then earn Costco Rewards on top of any card rewards.
Costco.com payment rules are different from the warehouse
Online shopping at Costco.com accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover — all four major card brands. You can also pay with PayPal or a Costco Cash card. This is wider than the warehouse rules because online transactions have different processing costs and fraud prevention needs.
If you have an American Express card and want to shop at Costco, ordering online is an option. You will not have access to the gas station discount, but you can use your American Express for warehouse purchases delivered to your home.
International cards and Costco
Costco accepts Visa and Mastercard from outside the United States, as long as they are Visa or Mastercard branded. American Express and Discover from other countries are subject to the same rules as US cards — American Express works in the warehouse but not at gas, and Discover does not work at Costco at all.
If you are traveling to the US and have a Visa or Mastercard from your home country, it will work at Costco. Currency conversion fees will explore, which your bank charges, not Costco. Some international cards have high foreign transaction fees, so check with your bank before you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use American Express at Costco gas stations?
No. American Express is accepted inside Costco warehouses but not at the gas station. Only Visa works at the pump. If you want to buy gas at Costco, you will need a Visa or debit card.
Do I have to have a Costco credit card to shop there?
No. Any Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover will work inside the warehouse. The Costco Visa is optional and is useful only if you want the higher cashback rates on Costco and gas purchases.
What if I have a Mastercard and want to use Costco gas?
Mastercard does not work at Costco gas stations. You would need to use a Visa, debit card, or cash. Inside the warehouse, your Mastercard will work fine.
Can I use my credit card on Costco.com?
Yes. Costco.com accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You can also pay with PayPal or a Costco Cash card. The rules are wider online than in the warehouse.
Does Costco accept store credit cards from other retailers?
No. Costco does not accept Target, Walmart, Amazon, or any other store's credit card. You must use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, debit, cash, or check.