While Costco has one of the most loyal customer bases, one thing that many don’t like is the exclusive partnership with Costco and Visa for payments in-store.
With this in mind, you might be wondering if this also overflows into Costco gas. So, does Costco gas take all credit cards? Here is what I discovered!
Does Costco Gas Take Credit Cards?
Costco Gas only accepts Visa credit cards for gas purchases. This includes NFC payments done by Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay via Visa debit and credit cards. Unfortunately, Costco gas does not accept MasterCard or American Express credit cards.
To learn more about payment methods, memberships for Costco gas, and mobile payments, keep on reading!
What Credit Cards Are Accepted At Costco Gas?
In the United States, Costco gas accepts:
- All Visa credit cards
- The Costco Anywhere Visa Card
- Most PIN-based Debit/ATM cards
- Costco shop cards
This means that Costco accepts Visa credit cards and no other credit card types.
So, if you want to pay using your credit card at Costco, you need to have a Visa credit card.
Why Can’t I Use A Mastercard Credit Card At Costco Gas?
Costco has an exclusive contract with Visa that prohibits them from using any other credit card networks, including Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
So, if you want to use a credit card when you buy gas at Costco gas, you need to have a Visa credit card or the Costco Anywhere Visa credit card.
Do I Need A Membership To Get Gas At Costco With A Credit Card?
Yes, you need to have a Costco membership to get gas at Costco gas using a credit card.
This is because you’re asked to swipe your membership card before you can enter your payment method. So, if you don’t have a membership, you can’t get gas.
But if you’re using a Costco shop card, you don’t need a membership card to get gas.
Does Costco Gas Accept Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, or Google Pay?
Costco has enabled near-field communication (NFC) on its pumps for gas purchases.
This enables customers to pay with contactless methods such as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay (as long as it is a Visa card).
You can also use the ‘tap’ feature of your credit and debit cards on the pump.
If you decide to use Apple Pay, or something similar, remember that Costco only accepts Visa credit cards.
So, for your contactless payment to work, you need to have a Visa in your iPhone Apple Pay wallet.
For more information, also see my guides on whether or not Costco Gas is good and also Costco Gas operating hours.
Conclusion: Does Costco Take Credit Cards?
Yes, Costco gas accepts all Visa credit cards and most PIN debit cards. If you aren’t a Costco member and don’t have a Visa credit card or debit card, you can’t get gas at Costco gas.
