Costco does not accept Apple Pay at checkout, but you can use it at the gas station and for online orders
Costco's main warehouse locations do not take Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, or other digital wallets at the register. You can only pay with cash, debit card, Visa, Costco's own Visa card, or a Costco Shop Card (their gift card). This applies to all in-warehouse purchases, whether you're buying groceries, electronics, or anything else on the sales floor.
However, Costco does accept Apple Pay in two specific places: at Costco gas stations and when you order online at Costco.com. If you shop online and pick up in-warehouse, you can pay with Apple Pay during checkout on the website, but you'll still need a physical card or cash when you arrive to collect your order.
This limitation is unusual compared to most major retailers. Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and grocery chains like Kroger and Whole Foods all accept Apple Pay at the register. Costco's restriction stems from a long-standing agreement with Visa and their own payment processing preferences, though the company has not publicly announced plans to change this policy.
Key Takeaways
- Costco warehouses do not accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay at checkout — only cash, debit cards, Visa, or Costco's own cards work.
- You can use Apple Pay at Costco gas stations and when you order online at Costco.com, but not for in-warehouse purchases.
- If you pick up an online order at the warehouse, you must bring a physical payment method because Apple Pay does not work at the pickup counter.
- Costco's payment restrictions are stricter than most major retailers, which have accepted digital wallets for several years.
What payment methods work at Costco warehouses
At Costco's main checkout, you have four options: cash, debit card, Visa credit card, or Costco's branded Visa card. The Costco Visa card is their co-branded credit card issued by Citibank, and it earns rewards on Costco purchases. You can also use a regular Visa from any bank — American Express, Mastercard, and Discover are not accepted.
Costco also accepts their Shop Card, which is a prepaid gift card you load with money in advance. This works like a debit card at checkout but does not earn rewards and cannot be used outside Costco.
The reason for these strict limits goes back to Costco's 1992 agreement with Visa, which gave Visa exclusive rights to process credit card payments at Costco. That contract has been renewed over the years and continues to shape what payment methods the warehouse accepts. Digital wallets like Apple Pay technically route through Visa's network, but Costco's system does not recognize them as valid at the register.
Using Apple Pay at Costco gas stations
Costco gas stations operate under different payment rules than the warehouse. You can pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, or other digital wallets at the pump or at the gas station attendant window. You can also use the same physical cards accepted in the warehouse: cash, debit, Visa, or Costco Visa.
The gas station's payment terminals are separate from the warehouse system, which is why they support digital wallets even though the main building does not. This is common at many retailers — their fuel stations often have more flexible payment options than their stores.
To use Apple Pay at the pump, hold your phone or Apple Watch near the contactless reader on the payment terminal. Most Costco gas pumps have this reader at the top of the machine. If the pump does not have a contactless reader, you can pay inside at the attendant window with Apple Pay instead.
Ordering online and picking up at the warehouse
When you shop on Costco.com, you can pay with Apple Pay during checkout. The website accepts most major payment methods, including digital wallets, which is different from the warehouse restriction. You can complete your entire purchase with Apple Pay on your phone or computer.
Once your order is ready for pickup, you'll receive an email notification. When you arrive at the warehouse to collect it, you cannot use Apple Pay to pay at the pickup counter — you'll need to bring a physical payment method if you haven't already paid online. If you paid in full on the website with Apple Pay, you won't need to pay again.
Some items ordered online cannot be picked up in-warehouse and will be shipped to your home instead. Costco.com also offers free shipping on orders over a certain amount for members, which varies by membership tier. Check the item's details page to see whether it's available for warehouse pickup or home delivery.
Why Costco's payment rules are different from other stores
Costco's strict payment policy is one of the most restrictive among major retailers. Most grocery stores, department stores, and warehouse clubs now accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other digital wallets at checkout. Costco's resistance comes from two sources: their exclusive Visa agreement and their preference for controlling their payment infrastructure.
The Visa contract, signed in 1992 and renewed multiple times, gives Visa the right to be the only credit card network at Costco. While digital wallets technically use Visa's network, Costco's payment terminals are configured to reject them. The company has not explained why they maintain this configuration or whether they plan to change it.
Costco's membership model also plays a role. Because members pay an annual fee, Costco has less incentive to adopt every payment trend when ready. They prioritize member loyalty and their own card products over convenience features that other retailers use to attract customers.
Alternatives if you don't have a Visa card
If you don't own a Visa card and don't want to carry cash, your options at Costco are limited. You can get a Costco Visa card from Citibank, which is the easiest path. The process takes about 10 minutes online, and you can use a temporary digital version when ready while waiting for the physical card to arrive.
You can also use a debit card at any Costco warehouse, as long as it has a Visa logo or works as a standard debit card. Most debit cards issued by banks work at Costco, even if they're not branded as Visa.
If you want to avoid credit cards entirely, bring cash. Costco accepts all U.S. currency at checkout. Some members use the Costco Shop Card (gift card) as a workaround — you can load it with cash at the warehouse and use it like a debit card, though you lose any rewards you'd earn with the Costco Visa.
What to expect when Costco updates its payment system
Costco has not announced any plans to accept Apple Pay or other digital wallets at warehouse checkout. The company rarely discusses its payment strategy publicly, and changes to their system happen slowly. When Costco does update payment technology, it usually takes years to roll out across all locations.
If Costco does eventually accept digital wallets, it would likely happen first at gas stations and online, then gradually expand to warehouse registers. This is the pattern other retailers have followed. However, Costco's Visa agreement and their preference for controlling payment methods suggest they may not prioritize this change.
For now, if you want to use a digital wallet at Costco, your only option is the gas station or online shopping. At the warehouse register, you'll need to bring a physical card or cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Apple Pay to pay for my Costco membership renewal?
No. Membership renewals at the warehouse counter do not accept Apple Pay — you'll need cash, debit, Visa, or Costco Visa. You can renew your membership online at Costco.com using Apple Pay, and it will be ready to use when ready.
Does Costco accept Google Pay or Samsung Pay?
Google Pay and Samsung Pay are not accepted at Costco warehouse registers, just like Apple Pay. Both work at Costco gas stations and on Costco.com, following the same rules as Apple Pay.
What if I use Apple Pay at the Costco register by accident?
The payment terminal will reject it. You'll need to use a different payment method — cash, debit card, Visa, or Costco Visa. The transaction won't go through, so there's no charge to your account.
Can I use Apple Pay to buy a Costco gift card?
No. You cannot buy a Costco Shop Card (gift card) with Apple Pay at the warehouse register. You can only use cash, debit, Visa, or Costco Visa. Online, you can purchase digital gift cards on Costco.com using Apple Pay.
Will Costco ever accept Apple Pay?
Costco has not announced any timeline for accepting digital wallets at warehouse checkout. The company's Visa agreement and payment system design make changes unlikely in the near term, but retail technology does evolve over time. Check Costco's website or ask at membership services if you want to request this feature.