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Does Costco take Visa? Costco credit cards accepted in Canada, and what to pay with
Costco warehouses in Canada take Mastercard, debit, cash, Apple Pay and Shop Cards, but not Visa or American Express. Costco.ca takes Visa. U.S. Costcos are the reverse: Visa yes, Mastercard only if it is the CIBC Costco card.
By Cost Check Editorial · Last reviewed Oct 1, 2026 · 3 min read
The Costco credit cards accepted in Canada come down to one brand: Mastercard. Costco warehouses take any Mastercard, plus debit, cash, Apple Pay, personal cheques and Costco Shop Cards, but not Visa or American Express. Visa works only on Costco.ca. Our advice: if you shop at Costco often, carry a Mastercard that earns at Costco, such as the CIBC Costco Mastercard, which pays 3% at Costco gas.
What credit cards does Costco accept in Canada?
Costco Canada lists these payment methods, checked October 1, 2026:
| Payment | Warehouse | Gas station | Costco.ca |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mastercard (any bank) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Visa | No | No | Yes |
| American Express | No | No | No |
| Debit | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cash | Yes | No | No |
| Costco Shop Card | Yes | Physical card only | Yes |
| Apple Pay | Yes | Not listed | Not listed |
| Personal cheque | Yes, with conditions | No | No |
On Costco.ca, debit means most PIN-based debit cards plus Debit Mastercard.
Does Costco take Visa in Canada?
Only online. Costco.ca accepts Visa, but Canadian warehouses and Costco gas stations don't. If Visa is your only credit card, pay with debit in the warehouse or put money on a Costco Shop Card.
Does Costco take American Express?
No. American Express isn't on Costco Canada's list of accepted payments in the warehouse, at the gas station or on Costco.ca, as of October 1, 2026.
Does Costco accept any Mastercard, or only the Costco one?
Any Mastercard, from any bank, in Canadian warehouses, at the gas station and on Costco.ca. The CIBC Costco Mastercard is not required; it is simply the card that earns the most at Costco, with 3% at Costco gas and restaurants, 2% on Costco.ca and 1% in the warehouse, for a $0 annual fee. Compare it with other cards on our credit cards page.
How do you pay at a Costco gas station?
With Mastercard (credit or debit), a debit card, or a physical Costco Shop Card. Costco gas stations don't take cash, Visa or digital Shop Cards. See our Costco gas page for hours and how the pumps work.
What can Canadians pay with at a U.S. Costco?
The rules flip. U.S. Costco warehouses and gas stations take Visa, debit and Shop Cards, and the only Mastercard they list is the CIBC Costco Mastercard. Other Canadian Mastercards are not on Costco's U.S. list, so pack a Visa or the CIBC Costco card for a cross-border trip.
How do you pay for Costco Business Centre orders?
Online Business Centre orders take Mastercard, Visa and Costco Shop Cards; delivery orders can also be paid by business cheque to the driver. In the Business Centre itself, the warehouse payment rules apply.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Costco Canada accept Visa?
- No, not in the warehouse. Canadian Costco warehouses and gas stations don't accept Visa; it works only on Costco.ca.
- Does Costco accept American Express in Canada?
- No. American Express is not on Costco Canada's list of accepted payments, as of October 1, 2026.
- Can I use any Mastercard at Costco?
- Yes. Costco Canada accepts Mastercard from any bank; the CIBC Costco Mastercard isn't required, though it pays 3% at Costco gas.
- Does Costco take Apple Pay?
- Yes. Costco Canada lists Apple Pay as a payment method in its warehouses.
- Can I use my Canadian Mastercard at a U.S. Costco?
- No, unless it is the CIBC Costco Mastercard. U.S. Costco warehouses take Visa and list no other Mastercard.
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