Costco accepts multiple payment methods both in-store and online

Costco takes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards at all locations. You can also pay with debit cards, Costco Cash (their gift card product), and in some warehouses, cash and checks. Online at Costco.com, you have the same card options plus the ability to save multiple payment methods to your account for faster checkout.

The one significant restriction: Costco does not accept American Express for warehouse purchases in most states, though they do accept it online and at their gas stations. This matters if American Express is your primary card — you'll need a backup payment method to shop in the warehouse itself.

If you're paying for a membership renewal or upgrade, Costco bills the card you have on file when your membership term ends. You can update that card anytime through your online account or by visiting the membership desk at your warehouse.

Key Takeaways

  • Visa, Mastercard, and Discover work everywhere at Costco; American Express works online and at gas stations but not in most warehouses.
  • Debit cards, cash, checks, and Costco Cash are accepted in warehouses, giving you options beyond credit cards.
  • Your membership renewal charges automatically to the card on file unless you update it or pause your membership.
  • Costco.com lets you save multiple payment methods to your account, so you don't re-enter card details for every purchase.

Paying for your Costco membership

When you first buy a membership, you pay at the membership desk or online during signup. Costco offers Gold Star (standard), Executive, and 2-year memberships at different price points that vary by location and membership tier. The membership fee renews automatically on the anniversary of your signup date.

Costco charges the card you provided when you joined. If that card is no longer valid or you want to use a different one, log into your Costco account online, go to your membership details, and update your payment method. You can also visit the membership desk in person and ask them to change it.

If you want to pause your membership instead of renewing, you can do that online or at the desk before your renewal date. Costco will not charge you if your membership is paused, though you won't be able to shop until you reactivate it.

Paying for purchases in the warehouse

At checkout, you can use any of Costco's accepted payment methods. If you're using a credit card, the transaction processes immediately like any other store. Debit cards work the same way. If you're paying with cash or check, the cashier will process it normally — Costco still accepts checks at most locations, though some warehouses have phased them out.

Costco Cash (their gift card) is another option. You can buy Costco Cash at the membership desk or at checkout, and it never expires. Many members use it as a way to prepay for shopping or to give as a gift. You can reload it anytime.

If you're a member with a Costco credit card (issued by Citi), you earn rewards on purchases. That card is Visa, so it works everywhere Costco accepts Visa. You can apply for it at the membership desk or online.

Paying for online orders at Costco.com

When you order online, you need to be logged into your Costco account and have an active membership. At checkout, you can use any saved payment method or enter a new card. Costco.com accepts all major credit cards, debit cards, and Costco Cash.

If you have a Costco credit card, you can select it at checkout and earn rewards on your online purchase just as you would in the warehouse. Your order will ship to your address or you can pick it up at your local warehouse if that option is available for your items.

Online orders typically process within one to two business days. Your payment is charged when your order ships, not when you place it, so if you change your mind you can cancel before shipment and the charge won't go through.

What to do if your payment is declined

If your card is declined at checkout, the most common reasons are insufficient funds, an expired card, or a fraud alert from your bank. Ask the cashier to try again, or use a different payment method if you have one with you.

If your card is repeatedly declined, contact your bank or card issuer directly — they can tell you whether there's a fraud hold or another issue on their end. Costco's checkout system doesn't store detailed decline reasons; the bank does.

For online orders, if your payment fails, Costco will send you an email asking you to update your payment method before your order can ship. Log back into your account, go to your order, and add a working card.

Updating your payment method on file

You can change the card Costco has on file for your membership anytime. Log into Costco.com, click on your account, select membership information, and update your payment method. The new card will be used for your next membership renewal and for any future charges.

If you prefer to do this in person, visit the membership desk at your warehouse. Bring your membership card and the new card you want to use. The desk staff can update it in minutes.

For online shopping, you can save multiple cards to your account. Go to your account settings, find the payment methods section, and add or remove cards as needed. This way you can choose which card to use at checkout without re-entering the full number each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use American Express at Costco?

American Express works at Costco.com and at Costco gas stations everywhere. In the warehouse, it's accepted in a few states but not most. If you have American Express as your primary card, bring a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover as a backup for warehouse shopping.

What happens if I don't update my card before my membership renews?

If your card on file is expired or invalid when your membership renews, Costco will attempt to charge it and the charge will likely fail. You'll receive a notice and can update your payment method through your account or at the membership desk. Your membership won't be active until the renewal charge goes through.

Can I pay with PayPal or Apple Pay at Costco?

Costco does not accept PayPal or digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay in the warehouse. Online at Costco.com, you can only use credit cards, debit cards, or Costco Cash. For warehouse shopping, stick to physical cards, cash, or checks.

Do I earn rewards if I pay with a regular credit card instead of the Costco card?

No. Only the Costco credit card (Citi Visa) earns Costco rewards. If you use a different card, you earn rewards through that card's own program, not through Costco. The Costco card gives you cash back on Costco purchases and at gas stations.

Can I use someone else's Costco membership card to shop?

Costco memberships are non-transferable — the person whose name is on the card should be the one shopping. At checkout, the cashier may ask to see your membership card and ID to verify they match. Using someone else's card can result in membership cancellation.