Costco accepts Visa cards only — no Mastercard, American Express, or Discover
Costco's payment rules are strict: they take Visa credit cards and debit cards, but reject every other major card network. If you have an American Express, Mastercard, or Discover card, Costco will not process it at checkout, online, or at the gas station. This policy has been in place since 2006, when Costco ended its American Express partnership and switched to Visa exclusively.
The restriction applies everywhere Costco operates — warehouse locations, the Costco.com website, and Costco Gas stations. There are no exceptions for premium card tiers or specific issuers. A Visa card issued by any bank works; a Mastercard issued by any bank does not.
This matters because many people carry cards from other networks as their primary card, or earn rewards through non-Visa programs. If Costco is a regular shopping destination for you, the card network restriction should factor into which card you actually use there.
Key Takeaways
- Costco accepts only Visa credit and debit cards — Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are not accepted anywhere in the warehouse or online.
- The Costco Anywhere Visa card earns 4% back on gas and 2% back on Costco purchases, but you must have a Costco membership to use it.
- Any Visa card from any bank works at Costco, so you can use a rewards Visa from your current bank if you do not want the Costco-branded card.
- Costco Gas stations follow the same Visa-only rule, so you cannot use Mastercard or American Express at the pump either.
- If you do not have a Visa card, you can pay with cash, debit card (Visa or non-Visa), or check at the warehouse.
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card and its rewards structure
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card is Costco's co-branded credit card, issued by Citi. It earns cash back on all Costco purchases: 4% on gas (at Costco Gas stations and other gas pumps), 3% on restaurants and travel, and 2% on all other Costco warehouse purchases and Costco.com orders. You earn 1% cash back on all other purchases outside Costco.
To open this card, you must have an active Costco membership. The card itself has no annual fee, but your Costco membership does — Gold Star membership costs $65 per year, and Executive membership costs $130 per year. The card's rewards post as an annual statement credit, not as points you can redeem separately.
If you shop at Costco regularly and already pay for a membership, the 2% back on warehouse purchases can offset part of your membership cost. A household that spends $3,250 per year at Costco breaks even on the $65 Gold Star membership through the 2% cash back alone. The 4% on gas adds additional value if you fill up at Costco Gas.
Using any other Visa card at Costco
You do not have to use the Costco Anywhere card. Any Visa card — from your current bank, a rewards card you already own, or a new Visa you open elsewhere — works at Costco checkout. This matters if you have a Visa that earns higher rewards on groceries or general purchases, or if you prefer not to open another card account.
Compare the rewards you would earn on your existing Visa against the Costco card's 2% cash back. If your current Visa earns 2% or more on all purchases, or 3% or more on groceries, you may come out ahead using that card instead. The Costco card's advantage is the 4% on gas and the simplicity of a single card for all Costco spending.
Some people maintain both: the Costco card for warehouse and gas purchases, and another Visa for other spending where the rewards rate is higher. This requires tracking two cards, but maximizes the cash back you receive across all spending.
What payment methods work if you don't have Visa
If you do not have a Visa card, you have other options at Costco. Cash and checks are accepted at all warehouse locations. Debit cards work regardless of the network — a Mastercard debit card, American Express debit card, or Discover debit card will process at Costco, even though credit cards from those networks will not.
The distinction matters: Costco rejects Mastercard and American Express credit cards, but accepts their debit cards. If you have a debit card from your bank, it will likely work even if your credit card is not a Visa.
Online at Costco.com, the payment options are more limited. You can use a Visa credit card, a Visa debit card, or a Costco Shop Card (a prepaid card issued by Costco). You cannot use cash or checks online, and non-Visa cards are not accepted.
Costco Gas station payment rules
Costco Gas stations enforce the same Visa-only rule for credit cards. You can pay with a Visa credit card, any debit card (Visa or non-Visa), or cash. American Express, Mastercard, and Discover credit cards are not accepted at the pump or the attendant station.
This is one of the strictest payment policies in the gas industry. Most gas stations accept all major card networks; Costco does not. If you fill up at Costco Gas regularly and do not have a Visa, you will need to use a debit card or pay cash.
Why Costco limits payment to Visa only
Costco switched to Visa in 2006 after its American Express partnership ended. The company negotiated a deal with Visa that gave Costco favorable interchange rates — the fees Costco pays to card networks when you swipe a card. In exchange, Costco agreed to accept only Visa credit cards.
This arrangement benefits Costco's bottom line by reducing payment processing costs. It does not directly benefit you as a customer, but Costco has maintained this policy for nearly two decades, suggesting the financial terms remain favorable to the company.
The policy also simplifies Costco's payment infrastructure. Accepting only one credit card network means fewer systems to maintain, fewer fraud rules to monitor, and simpler reconciliation. For a company operating thousands of locations, this operational simplicity has real value.
Planning your Costco card strategy
If you shop at Costco frequently, decide whether the Costco Anywhere Visa card's rewards justify opening another account. The 2% cash back on warehouse purchases and 4% on gas can add up, but only if you use the card regularly. If you visit Costco once or twice a year, the card is unlikely to be worth the effort.
If you already have a Visa card that earns rewards, compare its rate to the Costco card's 2%. A Visa that earns 2% or more on all purchases, or 3% or more on groceries, may be a better choice. Calculate your annual Costco spending and multiply by the difference in rewards rates to see which card saves you more money.
Remember that the Costco card requires a membership to open. If you do not have a Costco membership, you cannot open the card. If you have a membership but prefer not to add another card, any Visa you already own works just as well at checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Mastercard or American Express at Costco?
No. Costco accepts Visa credit cards only. Mastercard and American Express credit cards will be declined at checkout, online, and at the gas station. You can use a Mastercard or American Express debit card, or pay with cash or check.
Do I need the Costco Visa card to shop there?
No. You can use any Visa credit card, any debit card, cash, or check. The Costco Anywhere Visa is optional. You do need a Costco membership to enter the warehouse, but the card itself is not required.
What if I don't have a Visa card?
Use a debit card (any network), cash, or a check at the warehouse. At Costco.com, you can use a debit card or the Costco Shop Card. Costco Gas stations accept debit cards and cash, but not credit cards from other networks.
Does the Costco Visa card have an annual fee?
The card itself has no annual fee, but you must have a Costco membership to open it. Membership costs $65 per year for Gold Star or $130 per year for Executive. The card's cash back rewards are applied as an annual statement credit.
Can I use my Discover card at Costco Gas?
No. Costco Gas stations accept Visa credit cards, any debit card, and cash. Discover, Mastercard, and American Express credit cards are not accepted at the pump.