If you prefer to pay for your shopping with an American Express, MasterCard, Discover Card, or Diner's Club Card, you're out of luck.
Amazon Business accepts all major credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and more.
American Express is not accepted everywhere because American Express charges merchants higher fees than Visa, Mastercard. This makes retailers like Costco, independently owned boutiques, and many family stores shy away from accepting your American Express card.
All credit card issuers charge a fee, but not all issuers charge the same fee. Because of this set up, merchants can choose which credit cards they want to accept. The different fees often make or break a deal for a merchant. This is why many merchants, especially small businesses, don't accept American Express.
Retailers that accept American Express
| Retailer | Accepts AMEX? |
|---|
| Dashlane Inc. | Yes |
| DIRECTV | Yes |
| Disney World | Yes |
| Displate | Yes |
We accept:Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express debit and credit cards. Walmart Credit Cards.
From Costco's website: “Costco has negotiated a long-term partnership with American Express, which allows us to accept their credit cards with reasonable transaction fees. By not accepting Visa, MasterCard, and Discover, we are better positioned to continue offering the lowest prices on our merchandise.”
Since Costco has a contract with Visa, shoppers can't use credit cards backed by the other three main networks, American Express, Mastercard or Discover, at Costco warehouses. However, you're able to pay with Mastercard and Discover cards for purchases made at Costco.com and the Costco app.
Yes, customers don't need to have a Visa card to pay for their Costco purchases. Costco also accepts cash, checks, debit/ATM, EBT and Costco Cash Cards. Costco gas stations and Costco car washes, however, do not accept cash, checks or EBT.
Get a Costco Cash CardNo need to feel guilty: “Members and non-members may use the Costco Cash Cards to shop at any Costco location in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and online at Costco.com,” according to the terms and conditions of the card.
Yes, Costco accepts an Apple Card. An Apple Card is just a MasterCard credit card. It is accepted wherever MasterCard is accepted.
Bankrate's top Visa credit card selections for 2020
| Card Name | Best for | Bankrate Review Score |
|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Sign-up bonus | 4.7 / 5 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Luxury travel perks | 5 / 5 |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Everyday spending | 4.6 / 5 |
| Credit One Bank® Platinum Rewards Visa | High rewards in select categories | 4.1 / 5 |
The Best Buy Visa cards can be used anywhere that accepts Visa. All three cards offer 5% back in rewards at Best Buy, and 6% for Best Buy Elite Plus members. The Best Buy Visa cards offer 2% back on restaurants and groceries, plus 1% on all other purchases.
Bad credit (below 640): You only have one option for a Citi card if you have bad credit. That's the Citi Secured Mastercard. It doesn't give any rewards, but it does have no annual fee and can help you rebuild your credit. There's a $200 minimum security deposit.
$120.00 Annual membership fee ($60 membership fee, plus $60 upgrade fee)* Includes a free Household Card. Valid at all Costco locations worldwide.
Costco had sought more favorable terms from AmEx, the person said. AmEx said it had been unable to reach a new agreement with Costco on terms that “would have made economic sense” for the company.
Costco switched to Visa mainly for business reasons. Though they enjoyed a 17-year exclusive relationship with American Express, eventually they could not negotiate a renewal of the contract with the terms they wanted.
We are delighted that Citibank is providing consumers with a credit card on the American Express Network that allows them to experience the best of both worlds." The Citi American Express Cards offer value, rewards and cash-back benefits.
Will other credit cards — such as from American Express, Discover or MasterCard — work at Costco? That said, you do not need to use the Costco-branded Visa card. Other Visa cards will be accepted. You can also still pay with cash, checks, debit cards, Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) and Costco Cash Cards.
From 1999 to 2016, Costco only accepted American Express cards. Put simply, Costco wants you to use a Visa card because it saves them a considerable amount of money in transaction fees. You can still use most branded debit cards at the register, since the “swipe” fees are much lower for merchants.
They don't accept PayPal. You can get a PayPal debit card which uses your balance. Costco takes almost all debit cards. Also you can buy things online from Costco with all major credit cards, not just their exclusive in-store credit payment partner (VISA in USA, Master Card in Canada).
Earn cash back virtually everywhere – not just at Costco. You earn 3% on restaurant purchases, 2% on gas purchases, 0.5% on the first $3,000 you spend annually on all other purchases, and 1% after that. No annual fee. Doubles as your Costco membership card.
Costco gas stations are for members only. When you approach the pump, you must insert your membership card first, followed by a Visa credit card or most PIN debit cards. Costco Cash Cards are also accepted, and those customers don't need to be club members.
The credit card Costco would prefer you to use is the Capital One Costco Mastercard. The card does have its benefits, including the fact it has no annual fee and doubles as your Costco membership card (which means you'll have one less card to carry around in your wallet).
Costco does cash back for purchases made with a debit card in its stores, but not at its gas stations. You can get up to $60 cash back per debit card transaction.