Costco accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover — but only Visa and Mastercard at the pump
Costco takes four major credit card brands inside the warehouse: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. At the gas station, only Visa and Mastercard work. This is a warehouse-wide rule, not a per-location choice, so it applies whether you shop at Costco in California or Maine.
The restriction exists because Costco negotiated a long-term deal with Visa and Mastercard years ago. That deal shaped what the warehouse accepts today. If you have a different card type — Diners Club, for example — you cannot use it at Costco, even if your bank issues it under a Visa or Mastercard logo. The card itself has to be branded as one of the four.
Costco also takes cash, checks, and debit cards at checkout. The gas station accepts cash and debit cards in addition to Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Key Takeaways
- Visa and Mastercard work everywhere at Costco — inside the warehouse and at the pump.
- American Express and Discover work inside the warehouse only, not at the gas station.
- The warehouse does not take Diners Club, UnionPay, or other card brands, even if your bank issues them.
- If you have a Costco credit card, it is a Visa card and works at all Costco locations and gas stations.
- Cash, checks, and debit cards are accepted at the warehouse; cash and debit cards work at the pump.
The Costco Visa card is the only co-branded credit card Costco issues
Costco offers one credit card through Citibank, and it is branded as a Visa. This card gives you cash back on Costco purchases and gas, and it works at any Costco warehouse and gas station worldwide. You do not have to use it — you can bring any Visa or Mastercard instead — but members often choose it for the rewards.
The Costco Visa card is not required to shop at Costco. You need a Costco membership to enter the warehouse, but you can pay with any of the four accepted card brands, cash, or check. The Visa card is simply an option if you want cash back on your spending.
Why Costco does not take American Express or Discover at the pump
Costco's gas station only accepts Visa and Mastercard because of the terms Costco negotiated with those two networks. The warehouse itself accepts American Express and Discover, but the fuel pumps are set up to read only Visa and Mastercard. Changing that would require Costco to renegotiate its agreements or upgrade the pump hardware, which it has not done.
This is a common setup at warehouse and membership clubs. Sam's Club, for example, also limits gas pump payments to Visa and Mastercard. The restriction is not about the card networks themselves — it is about the specific contract Costco signed.
What to do if you only have American Express or Discover
If you have an American Express or Discover card and want to buy gas at Costco, you have two options. First, you can pay inside the warehouse at the fuel desk with your American Express or Discover card, and an attendant will pump the gas for you. Second, you can bring a Visa, Mastercard, or debit card to use at the pump yourself.
Paying at the fuel desk takes longer than using the pump, but it works. You walk inside, tell the attendant how much gas you want, hand over your card, and they process it and send you back out to pump. Many members do this when they have a card that does not work at the pump.
International credit cards and Costco
If you are visiting from another country and have a Visa or Mastercard issued by a foreign bank, it will work at Costco. The warehouse accepts Visa and Mastercard regardless of which country issued them. You will need a Costco membership to enter, but the credit card itself does not have to be from a U.S. bank.
American Express and Discover cards issued outside the United States also work inside the warehouse, though again not at the pump. If you are unsure whether your card will work, call the Costco location before you go or ask at the membership desk when you arrive.
Costco does not take contactless payment apps or digital wallets
Costco does not accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, or other digital wallet services. You must bring a physical credit card, debit card, or cash. This is a Costco policy that applies at all locations.
The warehouse has not upgraded its payment terminals to read digital wallets, even though most other retailers have. If you want to pay with your phone, you will need to use a different store. Costco members sometimes ask about this, but the policy has remained unchanged for several years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a prepaid Visa or Mastercard at Costco?
Yes. Prepaid cards branded as Visa or Mastercard work the same way as regular credit cards at Costco. They work inside the warehouse and at the pump. Prepaid cards branded as American Express or Discover work inside the warehouse only.
What if my credit card is declined at Costco?
First, check that your card is one of the four accepted brands. If it is, the decline is likely because your bank flagged the transaction as suspicious or you have reached your credit limit. Call your bank to ask why the card was declined. If your bank approves the transaction, try again at checkout or at the fuel desk.
Does Costco take business credit cards?
Yes, as long as they are branded as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. Business cards follow the same rules as personal cards — Visa and Mastercard work everywhere, American Express and Discover work inside the warehouse only.
Can I use a store credit card from another retailer at Costco?
No. Store cards from Target, Walmart, or other retailers do not work at Costco. You need a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, cash, check, or debit card. The Costco Visa card is the only store-branded card Costco accepts.
Do I need a credit card to shop at Costco?
No. You can pay with cash, check, debit card, or any of the four accepted credit card brands. A credit card is not required. You do need a Costco membership to enter the warehouse, but that is separate from how you pay.