If you’re wondering which credit cards Costco accepts, you’re smart to check. Costco only accepts Visa cards in its warehouse stores. This is because Visa, the largest payment network globally has an exclusive agreement with Costco.
Years ago, Costco accepted only American Express. But in 2016, they switched from AmEx to Visa, changing the way millions of shoppers pay at Costco.
How Can I Pay With a Visa Card at Costco?
At Costco warehouses, Visa is the only credit card accepted. However, you can still use several other payment methods if you don’t have a Visa.
In-Store Payment Options
You can pay with:
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Visa credit cards
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Cash
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Checks
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ATM/debit cards
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EBT
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Costco Shop Cards
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Mobile payment apps (like Apple Pay or Google Pay) — but only if linked to a Visa card
Online Payments (Costco.com)
For Costco’s online store, the rules are different:
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Accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Discover
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Not accepted: American Express
Why Costco Switched From American Express to Visa
The switch surprised many long-time Costco members because Costco had accepted only American Express since 1999. However, the warehouse chain moved to Visa because:
Key Reasons for the Switch
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Costco formed a new partnership with Citi, which issues the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card.
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The new card is a Visa, so Costco had to accept all Visa cards.
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Visa has far more cardholders than American Express:
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Visa members (U.S., 2016): 276 million
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American Express members: 23.3 million
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This meant 250+ million more Americans could now shop at Costco using credit cards.
The move helped Costco attract millions of new potential customers.
Benefits of the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card
Costco members can apply for the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, which comes with strong cashback benefits.
Cashback Rewards
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4% on gas (up to $7,000 per year; 1% after)
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3% at restaurants and on eligible travel
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2% at Costco and on Costco.com
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1% on all other purchases
Since it’s a Visa card, it is accepted more widely than the previous AmEx card.
Important: Reward points can only be redeemed at Costco warehouse locations or on Costco.com.
How the Visa Partnership Helps Keep Prices Low
Visa processes the card transactions for Costco. Typically, merchants pay around 2%–3% per transaction in credit card fees.
But Costco negotiated a special deal with Visa to reduce these fees to less than 0.5%.
Why This Matters
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Lower fees = lower operating costs for Costco
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Costco can maintain lower product prices
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Competitors paying higher fees often pass the cost to customers
Because Costco already sells items near wholesale prices, these savings play a major role in keeping Costco affordable.
Can You Shop at Costco Without a Visa Card?
Yes! Even if you don’t have any Visa credit card, you can still shop at Costco.
Accepted Non-Visa Payment Options
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Cash
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Checks
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ATM/debit cards
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EBT
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Costco Cash Cards
Note:
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Taxis and car washes inside Costco do not accept cash, checks, or EBT.
Can You Shop at Costco Without a Membership?
Yes—in a limited way. Costco Cash Cards (gift cards) allow non-members to shop in the store.
About Costco Cash Cards
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Can be loaded with $25 to $2,000
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Must be purchased by a Costco member
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Can be used by anyone, including non-members
Costco Membership Levels
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Executive Membership: $120/year
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Business Membership: $60/year
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Gold Star Membership: $60/year
More Ways to Save Money
If you want to improve your financial planning, a financial advisor can guide you in:
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Budgeting
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Long-term goal planning
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Choosing the right savings options
Online-only banks such as Ally or Marcus often offer higher interest rates for savings accounts, helping you earn more while saving.
Summary
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Costco only accepts Visa for in-store credit card payments.
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Costco.com accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Discover, but not American Express.
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Costco switched to Visa in 2016 through a partnership with Citi, launching the Costco Anywhere Visa card.
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The Costco Visa card offers cashback rewards on gas, restaurants, travel, and Costco purchases.
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Costco’s Visa partnership keeps transaction fees low, helping maintain lower prices for shoppers.
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Non-Visa holders can still shop using cash, debit, EBT, or Costco Cash Cards.
