Costco accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, but the rules differ depending on how you shop

At Costco warehouses, you can use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Online at Costco.com, you can also use those four plus Diners Club. The catch: Costco has a co-branded credit card with Visa, and members who use it get rewards that other cardholders do not. If you do not have a Costco credit card, you can still shop — but you will not earn cash back on your purchases the way Visa cardholders do.

Costco stopped accepting American Express in warehouses in 2016, then brought it back in 2017 after a partnership ended. That history matters because some older websites still list outdated information. The current rule is straightforward: Amex works now, both in-warehouse and online.

Key Takeaways

  • Costco warehouses take Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover; online shopping adds Diners Club as a fifth option.
  • The Costco Visa card earns 2% cash back on gas and restaurant purchases and 1% on everything else, while other cards earn no rewards at Costco.
  • Costco does not accept cash, checks, or debit cards — only credit cards and the Costco Shop Card (a store-only prepaid card).
  • If you have a Costco membership but no accepted card, you can use the Costco Shop Card, which you load with money at the warehouse.

The Costco Visa card and cash back rewards

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card is the only credit card that earns rewards at Costco. It gives 2% cash back on gas (at any gas station, not just Costco), restaurants, and travel, and 1% cash back on all other purchases including groceries and warehouse items. You do not have to use it at Costco — the rewards work anywhere Visa is accepted — but Costco members get the card with no annual fee.

If you use a different Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card at Costco, you pay the same price as everyone else, but you earn no cash back through Costco. Your own card's rewards program may still apply — that depends on your card issuer, not Costco. For example, if your bank's Mastercard offers 1% cash back on all purchases, you would earn that 1% at Costco, but not the extra rewards a Costco member with the Costco Visa would get.

What payment methods Costco does not accept

Costco does not take cash or personal checks at the warehouse, even though some older Costco locations used to accept both. This rule applies to all warehouses in the United States. You must use a credit card, debit card, or the Costco Shop Card.

Costco also does not accept debit cards — only credit cards. This is unusual, because most retailers take both. The reason is that Costco's membership model and warehouse format mean they process fewer transactions per customer, and credit card processing fits their system better. If you do not have a credit card, the Costco Shop Card is your option.

The Costco Shop Card for members without credit cards

The Costco Shop Card is a prepaid card you can load with money at the warehouse. You do not need a credit card to get one — you only need a Costco membership. You can add money to it at the register, and then use it to pay for purchases. It works only at Costco, not at other stores.

The Shop Card does not earn rewards or cash back. It is a payment tool for members who prefer not to use credit cards or who do not have access to them. If you are a member and want to shop but have no credit card, ask at the membership desk about getting a Shop Card.

Online shopping at Costco.com

Costco.com accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and Diners Club. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card still earns 2% cash back on gas and restaurants and 1% on everything else, including online purchases. Other cards earn no Costco rewards, though your card's own rewards program may apply.

You do not need a Costco membership to browse Costco.com, but you do need one to make a purchase. Non-members can buy a limited selection of items online without a membership, but the full warehouse selection requires a member account.

International Costco locations and card acceptance

Costco warehouses outside the United States have different payment rules. Canada accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Mexico, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom each have their own accepted cards — usually Visa and Mastercard, but the specifics vary by country. If you plan to shop at a Costco outside the US, check the local warehouse website or call ahead to confirm what cards they take.

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card works internationally at Costco locations that accept Visa, and you still earn the same rewards rates. However, your card issuer may charge a foreign transaction fee, so check your card's terms before you travel.

What to do if your card is declined at Costco

If a card is declined at Costco, the most common reason is that it is not one of the four accepted types (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover). A Diners Club card, for example, works online but not in the warehouse. If you believe your card should work, ask the cashier to try it again — sometimes a technical glitch causes a single decline.

If your card is declined because of insufficient funds or a fraud hold from your bank, contact your card issuer. If you have a Costco membership but no accepted card with you, you can use the Costco Shop Card if you have one, or you can load money onto a Shop Card at the membership desk and come back to complete your purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Costco accept PayPal or Apple Pay?

Costco does not accept PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or other digital wallets at warehouse locations. You must use a physical credit card or the Costco Shop Card. Costco.com may have different payment options — check the website at checkout to see what methods are available for online orders.

Can I use a business credit card at Costco?

Yes, if it is a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. Business cards are accepted the same way as personal cards. However, only the personal Costco Anywhere Visa Card earns Costco rewards — there is no business version of the Costco card that earns cash back.

What if I have an old Costco American Express card?

Costco stopped issuing American Express cards in 2016 and switched to Visa. If you have an old Amex card from Costco, it no longer works at Costco warehouses, though you can still use it elsewhere. You can apply for the new Costco Anywhere Visa Card to earn rewards again.

Do I need a credit card to have a Costco membership?

No. You need a credit card only to shop at Costco, not to hold a membership. If you do not have a credit card, you can use the Costco Shop Card. You can get a Shop Card at the membership desk with your membership card.