Costco accepts Visa, but only Visa — not Mastercard, American Express, or Discover

Costco stopped taking American Express in 2016 and switched to Visa as its exclusive credit card partner. This means if you want to pay with a credit card at Costco, it must be a Visa card. Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and other credit cards will not work at the register, online, or at the gas station.

This policy applies everywhere Costco operates — in warehouses, at gas pumps, and on Costco.com. If you try to use a non-Visa credit card, the transaction will be declined. Debit cards and cash still work, but credit card payments are limited to Visa only.

Key Takeaways

  • Costco accepts only Visa credit cards; Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are not accepted.
  • This policy has been in place since 2016 when Costco ended its partnership with American Express.
  • The Visa-only rule applies to warehouse purchases, gas station purchases, and online orders on Costco.com.
  • Debit cards, cash, and Costco's own Costco Anywhere Visa card all work at checkout.

What payment methods work at Costco

Beyond Visa credit cards, Costco takes several other forms of payment. You can pay with cash, debit cards (Visa debit cards or any other debit card brand), and checks at warehouse locations. Online orders on Costco.com accept Visa credit cards, debit cards, and digital payment methods like PayPal.

Costco also issues its own Costco Anywhere Visa card, which is a Visa card and therefore accepted everywhere in the warehouse and at the pump. This card earns cash back on Costco purchases and is the credit card Costco actively promotes to members.

At the gas station specifically, you can use Visa credit cards, Visa debit cards, or cash. The pump will not accept Mastercard or American Express, even if you own a Costco membership.

Why Costco switched to Visa

Costco and American Express ended their exclusive partnership in 2015, and Costco moved to Visa starting January 2016. The company cited the need for a payment network that would give members better rewards and lower costs. American Express had been Costco's only accepted credit card for decades.

When the switch happened, Costco gave members time to convert their American Express cards to Visa cards. Anyone who held a Costco American Express card was offered a Costco Anywhere Visa card at no cost. The company also honored American Express cards for a grace period after the switch, but that ended years ago.

What happens if you try to use a different credit card

If you attempt to pay with Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or any other non-Visa credit card, the payment terminal will decline the transaction. You will need to provide a different payment method — either a Visa card, debit card, or cash.

This happens at the checkout register, the self-checkout kiosk, and the gas pump. There is no exception for members who have been shopping at Costco for years or who hold premium membership levels. The Visa-only policy is absolute.

Costco's Visa card options

Costco offers two versions of its Costco Anywhere Visa card: one for standard members and one for Executive members. Both are issued by Visa and both earn cash back on purchases. The Executive version earns a higher cash back rate and includes additional benefits like travel insurance.

You do not have to hold a Costco credit card to shop at Costco — you can use any Visa card you own. The Costco card is optional and exists mainly to earn rewards on your purchases. If you already have a Visa card from another bank, that card will work at checkout.

Online shopping and Costco.com payment rules

Costco.com accepts Visa credit cards, Visa debit cards, and PayPal. It does not accept Mastercard or American Express online, just as it does not accept them in the warehouse. If you want to order from Costco.com with a credit card, you must use Visa.

Some third-party sellers on Costco.com may have different payment rules, but Costco's own inventory follows the Visa-only policy. Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay may work if they are linked to a Visa card, but the underlying payment method must still be Visa.

What to do if you only have Mastercard or American Express

If you do not own a Visa card and want to shop at Costco, you have a few options. You can pay with cash or a debit card at any Costco location. You can also open a Costco Anywhere Visa card, which Costco offers to all members at no annual fee (though the card itself is a Visa card, so this only works if you want to add Visa to your wallet).

Another option is to get a Visa card from your bank or credit card issuer. Many banks offer Visa cards with no annual fee. If you shop at Costco regularly, having a Visa card on hand makes the experience simpler than relying on cash or debit every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Mastercard at Costco?

No. Costco accepts only Visa credit cards. Mastercard will be declined at the register, pump, and online. You can pay with cash, a debit card, or a Visa card instead.

Does Costco take American Express anymore?

No. Costco stopped accepting American Express in January 2016. If you held a Costco American Express card, Costco offered to convert it to a Costco Anywhere Visa card at no cost.

Can I use a Visa debit card at Costco?

Yes. Visa debit cards work at Costco just like Visa credit cards. You can also use any other debit card brand, even if it is not Visa.

What if I use Apple Pay or Google Pay at Costco?

Digital wallets work at Costco only if they are linked to a Visa card. If your Apple Pay or Google Pay is set up with a Mastercard or American Express, it will be declined. Check which card is your default payment method in your wallet settings.

Do I have to get a Costco credit card to shop there?

No. You can use any Visa card you own, pay with cash, or use a debit card. The Costco Anywhere Visa card is optional and exists mainly to earn cash back rewards on your purchases.