What Credit Cards Does Costco Accept?

Does Costco take Visa, Mastercard or Amex? Read on to find out the payment methods Costco accepts (and the best cards).

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Costco accepts different types of credit cards for in-store vs online payments. For in-store purchases, you are limited to Visa credit cards issued by any bank. For example, both a Chase and a Bank of America Visa credit card would work.

When shopping online at Costco.com, you can use Visa or its online mobile payment system, Visa Checkout, Mastercard, or Discover.

Why Does Costco Only Take Visa?

By having an exclusive contract with Visa, Costco saves money on credit card transaction fees, which keeps their prices low.

The average credit card transaction fee is about 2% per transaction. Being the country's largest members-only wholesale store, Costco has some negotiating power. The retailer negotiated its credit card transaction fee to close to zero, according to Bloomberg.

Read on to learn about Costco's branded card made specifically for Costco members.

Costco's Branded Visa Credit Card

Costco, along with Visa and Citibank, created the Costco Anywhere credit card with customers in mind.

Citi Costco earns 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter. This card earns 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases; 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com; and 1% cash back on all other purchases. There is no annual fee with your paid Costco membership.

To qualify, your credit score must be in the "Excellent" category—meaning it should fall between 740 and 850.

Keep reading about more Visa cards you can use on your next shopping trip.

Best Visa Credit Cards to Use at Costco

• Chase Freedom Unlimited
  Chase Freedom Unlimited lets you earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back. You earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases. There is also a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%. The cash back rewards will not expire as long as your card account remains open. There is no annual fee.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred
  Chase Sapphire Preferred lets you earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.

  Points can be transferred 1:1 to leading frequent travel programs including airline transfer partners. The card has no foreign transaction fees. The card also comes with premium travel and purchase protection benefits (including trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance and auto rental collision damage waiver). There is a $95 annual fee.

• Bank of America Cash Rewards
  Bank of America Cash Rewards offers $200 online cash rewards bonus if you spend at least $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account. This card earns 3% cash back in your choice category and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases). Earn 1% on other purchases. There is no annual fee.

How to Shop at Costco Without a Visa Credit Card

If you don't have a Visa credit card, you still have plenty of payment options. Non-Visa debit cards work are accepted in-store.

All warehouse stores also accept mobile payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, even if you have a different credit card set up on your phone.

You can also pay with:

• Costco Cash Cards
  
• Personal checks
  
• Travelers' checks
  
• Cash
  
• EBT

The Bottom Line

Costco offers a variety of payment methods to its 90 million members. But you can only use a Visa-branded card in store.

The Costco branded credit card has some of the best rewards for Costco members. You'll save money and accumulate reward points.

To shop at Costco without a Visa credit card, using a mobile payment system like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay is a secure and easy alternative.