Getting declined at Costco can feel confusing if you don’t recall a special card rule. The warehouse does not take every major credit network.
The good news is the policy is usually simple, not a mystery charge. This guide covers what credit cards Costco accepts in U.S. warehouses, at the pump, and on Costco.com.
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What Credit Cards Does Costco Accept?
In the United States, Costco accepts Visa credit cards at warehouse registers and gas pumps. That includes any bank’s Visa, not only Costco’s co-branded card.
Costco.com is the main exception for credit cards. Official help also lists Mastercard there.
American Express and Discover are not on Costco’s current U.S. payment list for warehouses, gas, or the website.
Costco published this list on its customer service site on March 2, 2026. Policies can change, so check that page before a big trip.
| Payment method | U.S. warehouse | U.S. gas | Costco.com |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa credit | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mastercard credit | No | No | Yes |
| American Express | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Discover | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Most PIN debit or ATM cards | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Costco Shop Card | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cash | Yes | No | No |
| Member checks | Yes | No | No |
| EBT | Yes | No | No |
| Apple Pay | Yes | Yes | Not listed on that page |
| Google Pay or Samsung Pay | Yes | Not listed | Not listed |
| Affirm | No | No | Yes |
Credit Cards at U.S. Costco Warehouses
You can pay with all Visa cards at U.S. warehouse locations. Official help also names the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, which is a Visa.
Mastercard credit cards generally do not work at the register. The same is true for American Express and Discover. Those networks are simply not on the warehouse list.
Mobile wallets listed for warehouses are Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. The card behind the wallet still needs to be a method Costco can process.
A Visa in Apple Pay typically works. An Amex in Apple Pay generally will not.
Costco’s digital membership card currently accepts only a Visa with a U.S. billing address. You can add one Visa, not several cards.
Credit Cards at Costco Gas Stations
U.S. Costco gas stations follow the Visa-only credit rule. Official help lists all Visa cards, the Costco Anywhere Visa, most PIN-based debit or ATM cards, Apple Pay, and Costco Shop Cards.
Mastercard credit cards are not on the gas list. Cash and checks are not listed for the pump either.
Costco’s gas FAQ says a PIN debit or Visa purchase may get a temporary pre-authorization. That hold can be up to $150 and is meant to cover the fuel you pump. The final amount should match gallons dispensed once the sale posts.
Credit Cards on Costco.com
Costco.com is where Mastercard credit cards join Visa. Official help lists all Visa cards, the Costco Anywhere Visa, Mastercard, most PIN-based debit or ATM cards, Costco Shop Cards, and Affirm.
American Express and Discover still are not listed for the website. Older pages sometimes said Discover worked online. Costco’s current help page does not include it.
U.S. deliveries generally need a U.S. or Canadian billing address.
Costco Travel is a separate booking channel. Its help lists Visa and Mastercard for online and phone bookings. It says it does not accept American Express or Discover.
Cards Costco Does Not Take
These credit cards typically fail at U.S. warehouses and gas pumps:
- Mastercard credit cards
- American Express
- Discover
- Any other non-Visa credit network
On Costco.com, Mastercard usually works. Amex and Discover still generally do not.
Costco also says it does not accept PayPal in warehouses or on Costco.com. Do not treat a third-party wallet as a workaround unless Costco lists it.
Canada is different. Costco Canada warehouses officially accept Mastercard, not Visa credit, for in-store cards.
This article is for U.S. locations.
Pro Tip: Look at the card network logo, not the bank name. A Chase, Bank of America, or credit union card works in the warehouse if it is a Visa.
Other Ways to Pay if You Do Not Have Visa
You still have options if your everyday card is not a Visa.
Official warehouse methods also include most PIN-based debit or ATM cards, cash, Costco Shop Cards, traveler’s checks, EBT, and personal checks from current members. Business members may use business checks.
FSA or HSA Visa or Mastercard debit cards are accepted at pharmacies, optical, and hearing aid departments. That is a department rule, not a green light for Mastercard credit in the main aisle.
A common workaround is to buy a Costco Shop Card on Costco.com with a Mastercard, then use the Shop Card in the warehouse or at gas. Shop Cards can be bought at U.S. warehouses or online.
Common Mistakes: Assuming Costco takes every card like a grocery chain. Bringing only an Amex to the pump. Paying with Mastercard in the warehouse after it worked on Costco.com.
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi
Costco’s U.S. co-branded card is the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi. It is a Visa, so it works in the warehouse, at gas, and online.
Citi’s current card page lists cash back at 5% on Costco gas and 4% on other eligible gas and EV charging, with those two categories sharing a combined $7,000 yearly cap, then 1%.
It lists 3% on restaurants and eligible travel, including Costco Travel, 2% on Costco and Costco.com purchases, and 1% on other purchases. There is generally no annual fee while your Costco membership is active.
Rewards typically arrive as an annual certificate after the February statement. Costco says those certificates work at U.S. warehouses.
To use the value online, members often buy a Shop Card with the certificate.
You do not need this card to shop. Any Visa from another issuer generally works the same at checkout.
Card bills are paid to Citi, not at the warehouse register. Official Costco help lists citicards.com and 1-855-378-6467 for consumer cards.
If Your Card Is Declined
First confirm the network logo. Then try a Visa, PIN debit, Shop Card, or cash.
If a Visa still declines, the issue may be your issuer, a freeze, or available credit, not Costco’s network rule. Call the number on the back of your card.
Membership is still required for warehouse shopping in the usual case. A working Visa does not replace an active membership card.
Gas holds can look like extra charges until they drop. Match the final posted amount to your pump receipt.
FAQs: What Credit Cards Does Costco Accept
Q. Does Costco accept Mastercard in the store?
A. Not as a credit card at U.S. warehouses or gas stations. Official help lists Mastercard for Costco.com. Most PIN-based debit cards remain a separate option.
Q. Does Costco still take American Express?
A. No. Amex was Costco’s exclusive U.S. credit partner until 2016. Current Costco help does not list American Express for warehouses, gas, or Costco.com.
Q. Can I use Apple Pay at Costco?
A. Official warehouse help lists Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. Gas help lists Apple Pay. The card in the wallet still needs to be an accepted method, typically Visa for credit.
Q. Will a Visa gift card work?
A. Costco lists all Visa cards for warehouses, gas, and Costco.com. Prepaid Visa cards can still fail if the issuer blocks warehouse or gas codes, or if the balance is too low for a gas hold. Have a backup.
Conclusion
What credit cards Costco accepts depends on where you pay. U.S. warehouses and gas pumps take Visa credit cards. Costco.com also takes Mastercard.
American Express and Discover are not on the current official list.
Bring a Visa, PIN debit, Shop Card, or cash if you are heading to the warehouse. Check Costco’s accepted-payment page if you shop in another country or if your card still will not go through.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not financial or legal advice. Costco payment rules vary by country and can change. Confirm current methods on Costco’s official help page or with warehouse staff before you shop.
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