Costco accepts only Visa cards, plus their own Costco Anywhere Visa card and the Costco Anywhere Visa Business card

Costco stopped accepting American Express, Discover, and Mastercard in 2016. If you show up with any card outside the Visa network, Costco will not process it at checkout — not online, not in the warehouse, not at the gas station. This is a hard rule with no exceptions for members or purchase size.

The card must be a Visa. That means any Visa issued by any bank works: Chase Visa, Bank of America Visa, Capital One Visa, regional bank Visas, everything. The Costco Anywhere Visa cards are Visas issued by Citi, so they work everywhere Visa works, plus they earn rewards on Costco purchases.

If you do not have a Visa and do not want to get one, you can pay with cash, debit card (if it runs on the Visa network), or check at warehouse locations. Online orders can be paid with Visa or Mastercard, which is the one exception to the Visa-only rule.

Key Takeaways

  • Costco warehouse locations and gas stations accept only Visa credit cards; American Express, Discover, and Mastercard are not accepted.
  • The Costco Anywhere Visa card and Costco Anywhere Visa Business card are Citi-issued Visas that earn cash back on Costco purchases and work at any Visa merchant.
  • Costco.com accepts both Visa and Mastercard for online orders, even though warehouses do not take Mastercard.
  • If you do not have a Visa, you can pay with cash, a Visa debit card, or a check at warehouse locations.

The Costco Anywhere Visa card and what it earns

The Costco Anywhere Visa card is a rewards card issued by Citi that earns 2% cash back on Costco purchases (warehouse and gas), 1% on restaurants and travel, and 1% on all other purchases. There is no annual fee. The cash back posts as a Costco Cash certificate that you can use at any Costco warehouse or online.

The Costco Anywhere Visa Business card works the same way for business owners: 2% on Costco purchases, 1% on restaurants and travel, 1% on everything else, no annual fee. The difference is that it reports to business credit bureaus and you can add employee cards to the account.

Both cards require a Costco membership to open. You do not have to use the Costco card to shop — any Visa works — but the card is the only way to earn rewards on your Costco spending. If you already have a Costco membership and a Visa from another bank, you can open a Costco card later without changing your membership.

How the Visa-only policy affects your shopping

If you carry an American Express, Discover, or Mastercard and forget to bring another payment method, you cannot complete your purchase at a Costco warehouse. The register will decline the card. You will have to leave, get cash or a Visa, and come back. This happens to members regularly, especially those who switched from American Express when Costco ended that partnership.

The gas station pumps are also Visa-only. You cannot use a Mastercard or Amex at the pump even if you have a warehouse membership. Some Costco locations have a separate gas station attendant you can pay in person, but the rule is the same: Visa only.

Costco.com is the exception. Online orders accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. If you prefer to use a Mastercard or Amex, ordering online is your only option through Costco's website.

When you might want a Costco Visa versus another Visa

A Costco Visa makes sense if you shop at Costco regularly and want to earn cash back on those purchases. The 2% rate on Costco spending is competitive, and the cash back comes as a Costco Cash certificate, so you are likely to spend it there anyway. There is no annual fee, so there is no cost to having it.

If you shop at Costco only a few times a year, a general-purpose Visa from another bank might be better. Many cash-back cards earn 1.5% or 2% on all purchases, so you get the same or better rate without tying your rewards to one store. The Costco card only earns 2% at Costco; everywhere else it earns 1%.

If you already have a Visa and do not want another card, you do not need to switch. Any Visa works at checkout. The Costco card is a choice, not a requirement.

Opening a Costco Visa card

You can open a Costco Anywhere Visa card at the membership desk in any warehouse, or online at Costco.com. You need an active Costco membership to start the process. Citi will run a credit check, and approval usually takes a few minutes in-warehouse or a few business days online.

Once approved, you can use the card immediately at any Costco location or online. If you opened it in the warehouse, you get a physical card on the spot. If you opened it online, Citi will mail the card to you, but you can request a digital wallet version to use right away on your phone.

The card comes with a PIN for warehouse purchases. You will set this when you first use the card or when you receive it in the mail.

What happens if you try to use a non-Visa card

The Costco register system is programmed to decline any card outside the Visa network. When you swipe or insert a Mastercard, American Express, or Discover, the terminal will reject it before the transaction even reaches the bank. The cashier cannot override this — it is a system-level block, not a judgment call.

You will see a decline message on the screen, and the cashier will tell you that Costco only accepts Visa. At that point, you have to pay another way: cash, a Visa debit card, or a check. Some members keep a Visa debit card in their wallet specifically for Costco, even if they prefer to use another card elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Mastercard or American Express at Costco if I have a membership?

No. Costco accepts only Visa cards at warehouse locations and gas stations, regardless of membership status. Mastercard and American Express are not accepted. You can use these cards on Costco.com for online orders, but not in person.

Do I need a Costco credit card to shop there?

No. Any Visa works at checkout. The Costco Anywhere Visa card is optional and earns rewards, but you can shop with any Visa from any bank. You can also pay with cash, a Visa debit card, or a check at warehouse locations.

What if I have a Costco Visa but forgot it at home?

You can still shop with any other Visa card. The Costco Visa is not required — it is just the card that earns 2% cash back on Costco purchases. If you do not have another Visa with you, you can pay with cash or a check.

Does the Costco Visa work outside of Costco?

Yes. The Costco Anywhere Visa is a full Visa card that works anywhere Visa is accepted. It earns 1% cash back on restaurants and travel, and 1% on all other purchases outside Costco. It works at any merchant, not just Costco.

Can I use a Visa debit card at Costco?

Yes. Any Visa debit card works at Costco warehouses and gas stations. You will need to enter your PIN at checkout. Visa debit cards do not earn rewards like a Costco credit card does, but they are accepted as payment.