Costco accepts Visa credit cards only — no Mastercard, American Express, or Discover

If you have a Costco membership and want to pay with a credit card, you can use any Visa card. Costco stopped accepting American Express in 2015 and has never accepted Mastercard or Discover at the warehouse or on their website. This applies whether you're shopping in-store or ordering online through Costco.com.

The only exception is the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, which is a co-branded card issued by Citi. This card works everywhere Visa is accepted, including at Costco, and earns rewards on Costco purchases. If you don't have a Visa card and don't want to open one, you can still pay with debit cards, checks, or cash at Costco warehouses.

Key Takeaways

  • Costco accepts Visa credit cards at all warehouses and on Costco.com, but no other credit card brands.
  • The Costco Anywhere Visa Card is a rewards card issued by Citi that earns cash back on Costco purchases and gas.
  • If you don't have a Visa, you can pay with a debit card, PIN-based debit, or cash at warehouse locations.
  • Costco stopped accepting American Express in 2015 and has never accepted Mastercard or Discover.

What happens if you try to use a different credit card at Costco

If you attempt to pay with a Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card, the payment terminal will decline it. The cashier cannot override this — the system straightforward will not process the transaction. You'll need to provide a different payment method on the spot.

This can be frustrating if you didn't know about the Visa-only policy beforehand. The best way to avoid this is to check what cards you have before you get to the register. If you only have non-Visa credit cards, bring a debit card or cash as a backup.

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card and how it works

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card is a rewards credit card designed specifically for Costco members. It's issued by Citi and earns 2% cash back on Costco purchases and gas stations, 1% on all other purchases, and 3% on restaurants and travel. You don't pay an annual fee for this card.

To get the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, you must be a Costco member. You can open a membership and explore for the card at the same time, or explore if you already have a membership. The card is a regular Visa, so it works anywhere Visa is accepted — not just at Costco.

Cash back from this card posts to your Costco account as an annual reward certificate, usually in December. You can use the certificate to buy anything at Costco, or you can request a check instead. The rewards don't expire as long as your membership is active.

Paying with debit cards and other methods at Costco

If you don't have a Visa credit card, Costco accepts debit cards at all warehouse locations. You can use any debit card that runs on the Visa, Mastercard, or Discover networks — the network restriction only applies to credit cards. You can also pay with your PIN if your debit card supports it.

Costco also takes cash and checks at the warehouse. Personal checks must be written to Costco and include your membership number. If you're shopping online at Costco.com, you can only pay with a Visa credit card or the Costco Anywhere Visa Card — debit cards and other methods are not an option for online orders.

Why Costco switched to Visa-only

Costco's decision to accept only Visa came down to a business deal with Citi, which issues the Costco Anywhere Visa Card. When Costco ended its American Express partnership in 2015, it signed an exclusive agreement with Citi to be the sole credit card issuer for the warehouse. This arrangement benefits both companies — Citi gets access to Costco's customer base, and Costco negotiates better rates on credit card processing fees.

From a member's perspective, this means if you want to use a credit card at Costco, you need a Visa. The upside is that the Costco Anywhere Visa Card offers rewards specifically designed for Costco shopping, which can offset the inconvenience of the single-brand restriction.

What to do if you only have Mastercard or American Express

If your primary credit cards are Mastercard or American Express, you have a few options. The simplest is to bring a debit card or cash when you shop at Costco. You won't earn rewards this way, but the transaction will go through without a problem.

Another option is to open a Visa credit card specifically for Costco purchases. Many banks offer basic Visa cards with no annual fee. If you shop at Costco frequently enough, the rewards from the Costco Anywhere Visa Card might make it worth opening that card instead — you'd earn cash back on every purchase.

If you shop online at Costco.com regularly, a Visa card becomes more important because debit and cash aren't options for online orders. In that case, having at least one Visa card on hand is practical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Mastercard or American Express at Costco?

No. Costco only accepts Visa credit cards. If you try to use Mastercard or American Express, the payment will be declined at the register. You can pay with a debit card, cash, or check instead.

Does the Costco Anywhere Visa Card have an annual fee?

No. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card has no annual fee. You do need to be a Costco member to hold it, and membership fees vary by membership tier.

Can I use a debit card at Costco if it's on the Mastercard or Discover network?

Yes. The Visa-only rule applies only to credit cards. Debit cards on any network — Visa, Mastercard, or Discover — work at Costco warehouses. Online orders at Costco.com require a Visa credit card only.

What if I'm shopping online at Costco.com — what payment methods work?

Online orders at Costco.com only accept Visa credit cards, including the Costco Anywhere Visa Card. Debit cards, cash, and checks are not an option for online purchases.

When did Costco stop accepting American Express?

Costco ended its American Express partnership on June 20, 2015. After that date, American Express cards were no longer accepted at Costco warehouses or online.