Costco accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and Costco's own credit card in warehouse locations and online

Costco takes most major credit cards, but not all of them. The warehouse accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover at checkout. Costco also issues its own credit card — the Costco Anywhere Visa Card — which works at any Costco location worldwide and earns cash back on purchases.

The payment methods available to you depend on where you shop. In-warehouse checkout accepts the cards listed above, plus debit cards and EBT cards for may be able to access items. Online shopping through Costco.com has slightly different rules. You can also use digital wallets at some locations, though this varies by warehouse.

Costco does not accept American Express at warehouse checkout in most locations, despite American Express being a major card network. This is a long-standing policy specific to Costco, though it may differ in certain regions or for online orders.

Key Takeaways

  • Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and the Costco Anywhere Visa Card are accepted at all warehouse locations for checkout.
  • Debit cards and EBT cards work at warehouse checkout for may be able to access purchases, but not all payment types work online.
  • American Express is not accepted at warehouse checkout in most U.S. locations, though acceptance may vary by region.
  • Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay work at some Costco warehouses but availability depends on your location and the warehouse's equipment.
  • Costco.com has its own payment rules that may differ from in-warehouse checkout, so check the website before ordering online.

Credit and debit cards at warehouse checkout

At the warehouse, Costco accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Discover credit cards without restriction. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card, issued by Citi, is also accepted everywhere in the warehouse and earns 2% cash back on Costco purchases and gas, 1% on other purchases. You do not need to be a Costco member to use the card, but you do need a membership to shop at the warehouse.

Debit cards linked to your bank account work at warehouse checkout. PIN-based debit cards and signature-based debit cards are both accepted. There is no separate rule for debit versus credit — they process the same way at the register.

American Express cards are not accepted at Costco warehouse checkout in most locations. This policy has been in place for years and applies to both personal and business American Express cards. Some regional warehouses or special locations may have different policies, so ask a cashier if you are unsure about your specific location.

EBT and other government payment cards

Costco accepts EBT cards (Electronic Benefits Transfer) for items that may have access to under the SNAP program, formerly known as food stamps. EBT works the same way at Costco as it does at grocery stores — you swipe or insert the card, enter your PIN, and the transaction processes. Not all items in Costco are may be able to access; prepared foods, alcohol, and non-food items cannot be purchased with EBT.

Some states allow EBT online purchases through Costco.com, but this varies by state and is not available everywhere. Check your state's SNAP rules or contact Costco customer service to confirm whether your state permits online EBT purchases.

Digital wallets and mobile payment at the warehouse

Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other digital wallets work at Costco warehouses that have contactless payment terminals. Not all warehouses have this equipment yet, so availability depends on your location. If your warehouse has a contactless reader, you can tap or hold your phone at checkout the same way you would at other retailers.

To use a digital wallet at Costco, link your Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card to the wallet app on your phone. American Express cannot be used through a digital wallet at Costco for the same reason it is not accepted directly — the warehouse does not process American Express payments.

Costco.com payment options

Online shopping at Costco.com accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and the Costco Anywhere Visa Card. American Express is accepted online, unlike at warehouse checkout. You can also use PayPal to pay for orders on Costco.com if you link a supported payment method to your PayPal account.

Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay work on Costco.com if you are using a supported browser and device. The checkout page will show you which payment methods are available for your order.

Debit cards work on Costco.com the same way they do in the warehouse. EBT is not accepted for online orders in any state at this time, even in states that allow EBT online purchases through other retailers.

Cash and checks at Costco

Costco does not accept cash or checks at any warehouse location or online. This policy has been in place for several years and applies to all purchases, including membership renewals. If you do not have a card, you can ask a family member or friend to pay on your behalf, or you can purchase a Costco Cash card (a prepaid gift card) and use that at checkout.

Costco Cash cards are sold at the warehouse and online. You can load them with any amount and use them like a debit card at checkout. They do not expire and can be reloaded if the balance runs out.

Business and membership card payments

Costco Business locations accept the same payment methods as regular warehouses: Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and the Costco Anywhere Visa Card. American Express is not accepted at Business locations either.

Membership renewal can be paid with Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or the Costco Anywhere Visa Card at the membership desk. You cannot renew a membership online with a debit card, only with a credit card. Cash and checks are not accepted for membership renewal.

What to do if your card is not accepted

If your card is declined at checkout, ask the cashier to try again or use a different card. Temporary holds on your account, insufficient funds, or a card that has expired can all cause a decline. Contact your bank if the same card is declined multiple times.

If you have an American Express card and want to shop at Costco, you have two options: use a different card that Costco accepts, or purchase a Costco Cash card online or at another warehouse and bring it to checkout. Some members use the Costco Anywhere Visa Card specifically because it earns cash back and works everywhere at Costco.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use American Express at Costco?

American Express is not accepted at Costco warehouse checkout in most U.S. locations. It is accepted on Costco.com for online orders. If you want to pay with American Express in the warehouse, you can purchase a Costco Cash card (prepaid gift card) online using your American Express, then use the card at checkout.

Does Costco take Apple Pay or Google Pay?

Apple Pay and Google Pay work at Costco warehouses that have contactless payment terminals. Not all locations have this equipment yet. If your warehouse has a contactless reader, you can tap your phone at checkout. Call your local warehouse to confirm whether they accept digital wallets.

Can I pay with EBT online at Costco?

EBT online purchases at Costco.com are only available in certain states. Check your state's SNAP program rules or contact Costco customer service to find out whether your state allows it. In-warehouse EBT purchases work in all states for may be able to access items.

What if I don't have a credit or debit card?

You can purchase a Costco Cash card (prepaid gift card) at the warehouse or online using any payment method, then use it at checkout like a debit card. Costco Cash cards do not expire and can be reloaded when the balance runs out.

Does Costco accept PayPal?

PayPal is accepted on Costco.com for online orders. You cannot use PayPal at warehouse checkout. Link a supported payment method to your PayPal account, then select PayPal as your payment option during online checkout.