Costco accepts cash, debit cards, credit cards, and digital wallets — but not all payment types work everywhere in the warehouse or online

Costco takes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit cards at the register and online. For debit cards, any card with a Visa or Mastercard logo will work. You can also pay with cash, checks (in-warehouse only), and digital wallets including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay at most locations. Costco does not accept Diners Club, JCB, or store credit cards from other retailers.

The warehouse also accepts Costco Cash (a prepaid card loaded with money you've already spent), and members can use their Costco membership card to charge purchases to an account if they've set that up in advance. Online orders can be paid with the same credit and debit cards, plus PayPal at checkout.

Key Takeaways

  • Costco accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover — but not Diners Club or other store cards.
  • Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay work at most warehouse locations and online.
  • Cash and checks are accepted in-warehouse, but checks are not available for online orders.
  • Costco Cash and membership account charges require setup before you use them at the register.
  • PayPal is available only for online orders, not in-warehouse purchases.

Credit and debit cards at the warehouse and online

Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards at Costco. American Express and Discover also work at all warehouse locations and on Costco.com. When you use a credit card, the transaction posts to your card account the same way it would at any other retailer — Costco does not hold the charge or delay processing.

Debit cards work as long as they carry a Visa or Mastercard logo. You'll enter your PIN at the register, and the money comes directly from your bank account. If your debit card has a different logo (such as Maestro or Cirrus), it will not work at Costco, even if your bank honors it elsewhere.

For online orders, enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV code at checkout. Costco uses standard encryption to protect this information. If you're ordering for in-warehouse pickup, you can still pay online with any accepted card.

Digital wallets and mobile payment options

Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay all work at Costco warehouse registers. To use them, hold your phone or smartwatch near the contactless payment reader at checkout. The transaction processes instantly, and your receipt prints as usual. Digital wallets are not yet available for online orders on Costco.com.

Digital wallets are linked to the credit or debit card you've set up in your phone's wallet app. Costco doesn't see your actual card number — it processes a secure token instead. This makes the transaction faster and adds a layer of privacy compared to handing over your physical card.

Cash, checks, and Costco Cash

Costco accepts cash at all warehouse locations. You can pay with bills and coins, and the cashier will give you change. Checks are also accepted in-warehouse if you have a valid ID, but you cannot pay by check for online orders.

Costco Cash is a prepaid card you load with money at the warehouse or online. You can then use it like a debit card at any Costco location. Some members use Costco Cash as a way to budget their warehouse spending or to give as a gift. You can check your Costco Cash balance on your membership card or through the Costco app.

Membership account charges and Costco credit cards

If you've linked a payment method to your membership account in advance, you can charge purchases directly to that account at the register. This requires setting up the account charge option through your Costco membership profile online or by asking at the membership desk. Not all locations offer this feature, so confirm with your warehouse before relying on it.

Costco also offers a Costco Anywhere Visa card (a co-branded credit card issued by Citi). This card works like any other Visa at checkout, but it earns rewards on Costco purchases. The card itself is not required to shop at Costco — you can use it or any other Visa card. Costco does not issue a store-only credit card that works only at Costco.

Payment differences between in-warehouse and online shopping

Most payment methods work both in the warehouse and online, but a few are warehouse-only. Checks and cash can only be used at the register in person. PayPal is available only for online orders on Costco.com, not at warehouse registers. Digital wallets work at warehouse registers but not yet for online checkout.

For online orders, you enter your payment information at checkout before your order ships or is ready for pickup. If you're ordering for in-warehouse pickup, you still pay online — you don't pay again when you pick up the order. This is different from some retailers that let you pay at the pickup counter.

What to do if your payment method is declined

If your card is declined at the register, the cashier will tell you immediately. The most common reasons are insufficient funds, an expired card, or a card that Costco doesn't accept. Ask the cashier which card type was rejected, then try a different payment method.

If your card is declined online, Costco will show an error message at checkout. Double-check that your card number, expiration date, and CVV are entered correctly. If the problem continues, contact your bank to confirm the card is active and has no fraud blocks. Then try again or use a different card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Costco accept American Express?

Yes, American Express is accepted at all Costco warehouse locations and on Costco.com. You can use any American Express card — personal, business, or prepaid — the same way you would use Visa or Mastercard.

Can I use PayPal at the Costco warehouse?

No, PayPal is available only for online orders on Costco.com. At the warehouse register, you must use cash, a debit card, a credit card, a digital wallet, or Costco Cash.

What happens if I lose my Costco Cash card?

Contact Costco customer service or visit your warehouse membership desk. They can look up your Costco Cash balance using your membership number and issue a replacement card. Your balance transfers to the new card, so no money is lost.

Can I use a gift card from another store at Costco?

No, Costco does not accept gift cards from other retailers as payment. You can only use Costco Cash, cash, checks, debit cards, credit cards, or digital wallets. A gift card from another store has no value at Costco.

Do I need a Costco credit card to shop there?

No, the Costco Anywhere Visa card is optional. You can shop and pay with any accepted credit card, debit card, cash, or digital wallet. The Costco card is useful only if you want the rewards it offers on Costco purchases.