Costco accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover at all warehouse locations and on Costco.com

Costco stopped taking Visa exclusively in 2016 and now honors four major card networks. At the register, you can use any Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card — whether it's a personal card, business card, or corporate card issued by any bank. The same four networks work for online purchases on Costco.com and through the Costco mobile app.

The one exception is Costco's own credit card, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, which is a Visa product. If you hold a Costco Anywhere card, you're using Visa's network, so it works everywhere Costco takes Visa — which is everywhere. Costco does not issue cards on Mastercard, American Express, or Discover networks.

Key Takeaways

  • Costco takes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover at all warehouse locations and online, regardless of which bank issued your card.
  • Costco's own credit card, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, is a Visa product and earns cash back on Costco purchases and gas.
  • Costco does not take American Express at the gas station pump — only at the warehouse register or through the app.
  • Diners Club, JCB, and other specialty card networks are not accepted at Costco warehouses or online.
  • Costco membership is required to shop; payment method does not determine whether you can enter the warehouse.

What cards work at the Costco warehouse register

At the checkout counter inside any Costco warehouse, you can pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. This applies to any card on those networks — a card from your bank, a card from an online bank, a business card, or a corporate card. Costco does not restrict you to cards from specific issuers; the rule is the network, not the bank.

Cash and checks are also accepted at the register. Costco stopped taking American Express in 2006 but brought it back in 2011, so if you have an older memory of Amex not working there, that changed over a decade ago.

Costco gas station payment rules

The Costco gas pump has stricter rules than the warehouse. You can use Visa, Mastercard, or Discover at the pump, but American Express is not accepted at the fuel station — only inside the warehouse or through the app. If you have an American Express card and want to buy gas, you must go inside and pay the attendant rather than using the pump.

Debit cards on the Visa or Mastercard networks work at the pump. Costco does not accept PIN-based debit transactions at the pump; the card must run as credit. If your debit card is not on a major network (for example, a card issued directly by your bank with no Visa or Mastercard logo), it will not work at the pump.

Costco's own credit card and how it differs

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card is Costco's branded credit card, issued by Citi and running on the Visa network. It earns 2% cash back on Costco purchases (including gas and food court), 1% on other purchases, and has no annual fee for members. The card is available only to Costco members and requires a membership to hold it.

Because it's a Visa card, it works at any merchant that takes Visa, not just Costco. You can use it at other retailers, restaurants, and online stores. Costco does not issue a Mastercard, American Express, or Discover branded card; the Costco Anywhere card is the only co-branded product.

Cards that do not work at Costco

Costco does not accept Diners Club, JCB, UnionPay, or other specialty card networks. If your card is on one of these networks, you cannot use it at Costco, even if it's a premium or business card. You would need to pay with cash, check, or a card on one of the four accepted networks.

Some regional or store-specific cards (like a Macy's card or a gas station loyalty card) may not work at Costco unless they also carry a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover logo. Check your card's front or back to see which network it belongs to.

Online and app payments at Costco.com

Costco.com and the Costco mobile app accept the same four card networks as the warehouse: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You can also pay with PayPal or a Costco Shop Card (a prepaid card you load with cash). The rules are the same whether you're buying groceries, electronics, or anything else on the site.

If you use a card that is not on one of the four major networks, you can still shop online by paying with PayPal, which accepts a wider range of cards and bank accounts. Costco membership is required to shop online, just as it is in the warehouse.

What happens if you try to use a card Costco doesn't take

If you attempt to pay with a card on an unsupported network — for example, a Diners Club card — the transaction will be declined at the register or online. The cashier or system will tell you the card is not accepted. You then have the option to pay with a different card, cash, or check.

This is not a reflection of your creditworthiness or account status; it's straightforward that Costco's payment terminals are not configured to process that card network. Switching to a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card will resolve the issue when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my bank's debit card at Costco?

Yes, if your debit card carries a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover logo. Most debit cards are issued on one of these networks. At the pump, the card must run as credit (you won't enter a PIN), even though it's a debit card. Inside the warehouse, you can choose to run it as debit or credit.

Does Costco take American Express at the gas pump?

No. American Express works at the warehouse register and on Costco.com, but not at the fuel pump. If you have an Amex card and want to buy gas, pay the attendant inside the warehouse instead of using the pump.

What if I have a Costco Anywhere card but want to use a different card?

You can use any Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card at Costco, regardless of whether you hold a Costco Anywhere card. The Costco card is optional and earns extra cash back, but it's not required to shop or pay.

Can I use a prepaid card at Costco?

Yes, if the prepaid card is on the Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover network. Most major prepaid cards carry one of these logos. Check the front of your card to confirm which network it belongs to before you shop.

Does Costco take Google Pay, Apple Pay, or other digital wallets?

Costco's payment terminals support contactless payments, so digital wallets that use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover should work. However, Costco's policy on digital wallets varies by location and has changed over time, so it's worth asking a cashier or checking Costco's website for the current status at your warehouse.