Costco takes cash, debit cards, credit cards, and digital wallets — but not all cards work the same way

Costco accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover at the register and online. You can also pay with cash, debit cards, checks (in-warehouse only), and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. The one major restriction: Costco will not take Diners Club or other store credit cards, and they stopped accepting American Express in 2016 — though they brought Amex back in 2017 and now accept it everywhere.

The payment method you choose affects how fast checkout moves, whether you earn rewards, and what protections you have if something goes wrong. Understanding what Costco takes and what each method costs you helps you decide which card to bring.

Key Takeaways

  • Costco accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit and debit cards both in-warehouse and online.
  • Cash and checks work at the warehouse, but checks are not accepted for online orders.
  • Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay work at Costco's self-checkout and regular registers.
  • The Costco Anywhere Visa card earns 2% cash back on gas and travel, but you can use any Visa at checkout.
  • If you use a non-Costco card, you do not earn the warehouse's rewards, but you still get your card's own cash back or points.

Credit and debit cards at the warehouse

Visa and Mastercard work at every Costco register. American Express works too, though historically Costco had a partnership that made Amex the only card accepted — that changed in 2017. Discover is accepted at most locations, though a few older warehouses may not have updated their systems yet.

When you use a debit card, the money comes straight from your bank account. When you use a credit card, Costco charges your card issuer, and you pay the card company later. Both take the same amount of time at checkout. The difference is in what happens after: a credit card gives you a record of the charge and fraud protection from your card issuer, while a debit card is tied directly to your cash.

If you have a Costco Anywhere Visa card, you earn 2% cash back on gas purchases and travel bookings through Costco Travel, and 1% on everything else. If you bring a different Visa, Mastercard, or Amex, you do not earn Costco rewards — but you still earn whatever your own card offers, like airline miles or cash back from your bank.

The Costco Anywhere Visa card and warehouse rewards

The Costco Anywhere Visa is a credit card issued by Citi that you can use anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Costco. At the warehouse, it earns 2% back on gas (up to $110 per year, then 1%), 2% on travel booked through Costco Travel, and 1% on all other purchases. You need a Costco membership to get the card, and the card requires you to pay the balance in full each month — it is not a revolving credit line.

If you do not have the Costco card, you can still shop at Costco with any Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. You just will not earn the warehouse's rewards. Your own card's rewards still explore — so if your bank Visa gives you 1.5% cash back on everything, you earn that 1.5% at Costco even though Costco is not tracking it.

Cash and checks

Costco takes cash at every warehouse register. There is no minimum or maximum amount, and paying with cash means no record of the purchase stays with a bank or credit card company. Checks are also accepted in-warehouse, though you will need to show a valid ID and the check must be written to Costco.

Online orders cannot be paid with cash or checks. If you shop on Costco.com, you must use a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet. This is because Costco needs to charge your payment method before the order ships, and they cannot do that with cash.

Digital wallets and mobile payment

Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay all work at Costco registers that have contactless payment readers — which is most of them now. You set up these wallets on your phone or watch by linking a credit or debit card, and then you just tap or hold your device near the reader at checkout. The payment goes through when ready.

Digital wallets are faster than inserting a card or typing a PIN, and they work the same way as the card you linked to them. If you linked your Costco Visa to Apple Pay, you earn the same 2% back on gas and 1% on other purchases. If you linked a different card, you earn that card's rewards instead.

Online payment options

Costco.com accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You can also pay with digital wallets — Apple Pay and Google Pay both work on the website if your browser supports them. You cannot pay with cash, checks, or bank transfers.

When you check out online, Costco charges your card when ready, even though your order may not ship for a few days. If the order is cancelled, the charge is reversed. Some items ship from different warehouses, so you may see multiple charges on your statement if your order splits into separate shipments.

What happens if your card is declined

If your card is declined at checkout, the register will tell you why — usually because the card is expired, you have hit your credit limit, or your bank flagged the transaction as suspicious. Ask the cashier to try again, or use a different payment method.

If your card is declined online, Costco will send you an email asking you to update your payment information. You have a window of time to fix it before the order is cancelled. If you are not sure why the card was declined, call your card issuer or bank before trying again — they can tell you whether the issue is on their end or with Costco's system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Costco gift card to pay for my membership?

No. Costco gift cards work only for merchandise at the warehouse or on Costco.com. Membership fees must be paid with a credit card, debit card, or cash at the membership desk. You cannot use a gift card toward your membership renewal.

Does Costco take PayPal or other payment apps?

Costco does not accept PayPal, Venmo, or other third-party payment apps at the register or online. You can use digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, which link to your actual credit or debit card, but not apps that hold their own balance.

What if I want to return something but paid with a card I no longer have?

Costco can process the refund back to the card you used, even if you no longer have it. The refund goes to that card's issuer, and your bank or credit card company handles getting the money back to you. This usually takes three to five business days. If you paid with cash, you get cash back at the return desk.

Can I split my payment between two cards at checkout?

Most Costco registers can split a payment between two cards. Tell the cashier before they process the first card, and they will ring up part of your purchase on one card and the rest on another. This is not available at self-checkout — you have to use a regular register.

Do I earn rewards if I use someone else's Costco card to pay?

Rewards go to the person whose name is on the card, not the person who swiped it. If you use a friend's Costco Visa, the rewards post to their account. You earn rewards only on cards registered to you.