Can You Use Discover at Costco? (Yes, But There’s a Catch)

If you want to use your Discover card at Costco, you may wonder if it’s accepted. Unfortunately, Discover isn’t currently accepted at physical Costco stores. However, you can use your Discover card on Costco.com! This article will discuss other payment methods accepted at Costco and what to do if you want to use your Discover card. Let’s get started!
Can You Use Discover at Costco?
Yes, Discover credit cards are accepted at Costco. However, it is essential to note that Costco only accepts Visa credit cards at their physical locations. This means that you can use your Discover credit card for Costco purchases made online or through the Costco app, but not at the checkout in the physical store. If you want to use a credit card for in-store purchases at Costco, you must use a Visa credit card.
Why Discover Isn’t Accepted at Costco Physical Locations?
While Discover is a widely accepted credit card, it is not currently accepted at Costco’s physical locations for in-store purchases. This is because Costco has an exclusive agreement with Visa to be the only credit card accepted at their physical stores. This agreement was implemented in 2015 when Costco switched from accepting American Express to Visa.
As a result of this exclusive agreement, Costco does not accept any other credit cards, including Discover, for in-store purchases. However, you can still use your Discover credit card to make purchases at Costco’s website or through the Costco app. If you prefer to use a credit card for in-store purchases at Costco, you will need to use a Visa credit card.
Can You Use Discover at Costco Gas Stations?
No, Discover is not accepted at Costco gas stations. You can only use a Visa card, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, Costco Shop Cards, and most PIN-based Debit/ATM Cards to pay for fuel purchases at Costco gas stations.
What Payment Methods Does Costco Accept at Its Warehouse Locations?
At its physical warehouse locations, Costco accepts the following payment methods:
- All Visa cards
- The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, cash, checks (with valid ID),
- EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer/Food Stamps)
- Costco Shop Cards
- Most PIN-based Debit/ATM Cards
- Mobile Payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay)
- Cash
- Personal and business checks (from current Costco members)
- Traveler’s checks
How Can You Pay at Costco.com?
You can pay for your purchases at Costco.com with a variety of payment methods, including:
- All Visa cards
- The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
- Discover cards
- Mastercard
- Most PIN-based Debit/ATM Cards
- Costco Shop Cards
Does Costco Take WIC?
Yes, Costco accepts WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Program) benefits. You can pay for your purchases with a WIC voucher or EBT card. Please note that you can only use WIC vouchers or EBT cards at Costco’s physical warehouse locations, not online.
Does Costco Accept Visa Gift Cards?
Yes, Costco accepts Visa gift cards for online and in-store purchases. However, you cannot purchase them at Costco itself. You will need to purchase Visa gift cards from a third-party vendor. Please note that Visa gift cards are purchased from third-party vendors such as Walmart, Kroger, or CVS.
Can You Use Discover Cards to Pay for Costco Travel?
No, Discover cards are not accepted for Costco Travel purchases. Currently, only Visa and MasterCard debit and credit cards are accepted for reservations and Costco Shop Cards for vacation packages.
Final Thoughts
Although Discover isn’t accepted at Costco’s physical locations, you can still use your Discover card to make purchases at their website and app. Additionally, Costco accepts various payment methods for in-store purchases, including Visa credit cards, cash, checks (with valid ID), EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer/Food Stamps), Costco Shop Cards, most PIN-based Debit/ATM Cards, and mobile payments. Lastly, WIC and EBT cards are accepted at Costco’s physical warehouse locations. In contrast, Visa, MasterCard debit, and credit cards can be used to pay for reservations on Costco Travel and Costco Shop Cards for vacation packages.
Overall, there are plenty of options for shopping at Costco using a Discover card.
Hope this helps! Happy shopping!