Does Costco Accept Amex? (All You Need to Know)

American Express and Costco have had a long relationship. But as of 2016, that relationship has come to an end. American Express is no longer accepted at Costco stores. This change was made to provide customers with more payment options. So what does this mean for you? In this blog post, we will answer all your questions about using Amex at Costco!
Does Costco Accept Amex?
No, Costco no longer accepts American Express as of 2016. Many customers were upset with the decision to end their long-standing relationship with Amex, especially since Amex was the exclusive credit card accepted at Costco for so long. Shoppers must use Visa credit cards, debit cards, and cash when shopping at Costco stores.
Why Did Costco Switch to Visa?
Costco switched to Visa as its exclusive credit card provider in June 2016, ending its long-standing partnership with American Express. There were a few reasons behind this decision:
- Better rates: Visa offered Costco better interchange rates, which are the fees that merchants pay to card issuers for each transaction. This allowed Costco to reduce its costs and offer lower prices to its customers.
- More global acceptance: While American Express is accepted in many countries, it’s not as widely accepted as Visa. By switching to Visa, Costco expanded its global reach and made it easier for its members to use their credit cards when traveling.
- More card options: Visa offers a wider variety of credit and debit card options than American Express. This allowed Costco to give its members more choices regarding rewards, benefits, and features.
- Better technology: Visa’s payment technology was more advanced than American Express at the time of the switch. This allowed Costco to offer its members more convenient and secure payment options, such as mobile and contactless payments.
Overall, the decision to switch to Visa was driven by a desire to offer Costco members more value, convenience, and choice regarding credit card payments.
Does Costco Accept Amex Debit Cards?
You may be surprised that Costco does take Amex debit cards. Although American Express is no longer accepted as a credit card at Costco, Amex debit cards are still accepted. This applies to both personal and business debit cards.
If you have an Amex debit card, you can use it to make purchases at Costco stores, online, and even at gas stations. However, you may be charged a fee for using the card. Check with your bank or credit union before using an Amex debit card at Costco.
What Payment Options Does Costco Accept?
This depends on the shopping method you choose. Here’s a breakdown of the payment options available at Costco:
U.S. Costco warehouse stores:
- Cash
- All Visa Cards
- Costco Shop Cards
- The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
- Most PIN-based Debit/ATM Cards
- Personal and business checks (from current Costco Members)
- Traveler’s checks
- EBT cards
- WIC
- Mobile Payments
Online:
- All Visa Cards
- MasterCard
- Discover Cards
- Costco Shop Cards
- The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
- Most PIN-based Debit/ATM Cards
Gas Stations:
- All Visa Cards
- Costco Shop Cards
- The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
- Most PIN-based Debit/ATM Cards
The Bottom Line
As of June 2016, American Express is no longer accepted at Costco stores. Instead, Costco accepts Visa cards and a variety of other payment methods. Amex debit cards are still accepted, but you may be charged a fee for using them. Remember to check with your bank or credit union before making a purchase. With a wide range of payment options to choose from, you should have no trouble finding the right choice for your Costco shopping needs!