Costco accepts American Express at most warehouse locations, but not everywhere

Costco takes American Express cards at the majority of its warehouses in the United States. However, a small number of locations — primarily older warehouses or those in specific regions — may not accept Amex. The best way to confirm before you shop is to call your local Costco warehouse directly or check your Amex card's merchant locator tool, which shows you real-time acceptance at specific addresses.

Costco's payment policy has shifted over time. For decades, Costco had an exclusive partnership with Visa and did not accept American Express at all. That changed in 2016 when Costco ended its Visa-only agreement and began accepting Amex, Mastercard, and Discover alongside Visa. The transition happened gradually across warehouses, which is why some older locations took longer to update their payment systems.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Costco warehouses in the United States now accept American Express, but a small number of locations do not yet have the capability.
  • Calling your local warehouse is the fastest way to confirm Amex acceptance before you visit, since payment systems vary by location.
  • Costco's online shopping at Costco.com accepts American Express for all members, regardless of warehouse location.
  • Costco Gas stations at warehouse locations have separate payment systems and may have different Amex acceptance than the warehouse itself.

How to check if your Costco warehouse accepts Amex

The most direct method is to phone your local Costco warehouse. The warehouse number is listed on Costco.com when you search for your location. Ask the member services desk whether they currently accept American Express — they can answer in seconds and will know if their payment system has any temporary issues.

You can also use American Express's own merchant locator. Log into your Amex account online or through the mobile app, go to the merchant locator tool, and search for Costco by address. The tool shows you whether that specific location accepts Amex. This method works if you want to check multiple warehouses or if you prefer not to call.

A third option is to visit the warehouse and ask at the membership desk before you shop. If Amex is not accepted, you can pay with Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or cash instead.

Costco.com accepts American Express for all members

If your local warehouse does not accept Amex, you can still use your American Express card to shop online at Costco.com. Costco's website accepts Amex, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and PayPal from all members. This applies whether you have a Gold Star membership, Executive membership, or any other membership tier.

Online orders ship to your home or can be picked up at your warehouse. The payment method you use online does not depend on what your local warehouse accepts in person, so Amex works regardless of your location.

Costco Gas stations and Amex acceptance

Costco Gas stations operate on a separate payment system from the warehouse itself. Some Costco Gas locations accept American Express, but others do not. The acceptance varies by location and is not always the same as the warehouse payment system at the same address.

Before you pump gas, check the pump display or ask the attendant whether Amex is accepted. If your card is not accepted at the pump, you can go inside the warehouse and pay at the membership desk, then return to the pump to complete the transaction. Alternatively, you can use a different payment method that the gas station accepts.

What to do if your Costco warehouse does not accept Amex

If you arrive at your warehouse and discover it does not accept American Express, you have several options. You can pay with Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or cash if you have them with you. You can also leave and return another time if you prefer to use Amex, though this is inconvenient.

The most practical long-term solution is to shop online at Costco.com using your Amex card, or to contact your warehouse and ask when they plan to update their payment system. Some warehouses that do not yet accept Amex may be scheduled for a system upgrade in the coming months. Costco's goal is to accept Amex at all locations, but the timeline depends on each warehouse's payment infrastructure.

Amex card benefits at Costco

If your Costco warehouse accepts American Express, you can earn rewards on your purchases if you have an Amex card that offers cash back or points. The rewards you earn depend on your specific card — for example, some Amex cards offer higher cash back on certain categories, while others offer a flat rate on all purchases.

Check your Amex card's terms to see what rewards you earn at Costco. Some cards also offer purchase protection or extended warranties on items bought at Costco, which may be valuable depending on what you purchase. These benefits are separate from Costco's own membership rewards program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Costco still only accept Visa?

No. Costco ended its exclusive Visa partnership in 2016 and now accepts American Express, Mastercard, Discover, and Visa at most warehouses. However, a small number of older locations may still only accept Visa while their payment systems are being upgraded.

Can I use my Amex card at Costco Gas?

Some Costco Gas stations accept American Express, but not all. Payment acceptance at the gas pump varies by location and is separate from the warehouse payment system. Check the pump or ask the attendant before you fill up.

What if I don't have another payment method and Amex isn't accepted?

You can shop online at Costco.com using your American Express card instead. If you need to shop in person, you can return another time or use a different payment method if you have one available.

Does Costco.com accept American Express?

Yes. Costco's website accepts American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and PayPal from all members, regardless of whether your local warehouse accepts Amex in person.