If you’ve ever stood in line at a warehouse checkout and asked yourself, does Costco take Apple Pay, you’re not alone. With contactless payments becoming the norm and mobile wallets replacing physical cards, it’s a fair—and popular—question.
Yes, Costco does take Apple Pay in 2025, but it comes with a major condition: your Apple Pay must be linked to a Visa credit or debit card. That’s because Costco has an exclusive partnership with Visa in the United States, and that policy extends to all forms of payment—physical or digital.
In this comprehensive 2025 guide, we’ll break down where and how you can use Apple Pay at Costco, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to maximize your rewards when using Apple Pay at Costco. Whether you’re shopping in-store, at the gas pump, or online, we’ve got you covered.
Can You Use Apple Pay at Costco in 2025?
Yes, you can use Apple Pay at Costco in 2025—but only if your Apple Wallet is connected to a Visa card. Costco’s payment systems support Apple Pay through contactless readers, but because of their Visa-exclusive contract, only Visa-backed cards are accepted—even via Apple Pay.
This means that if you try to pay with Apple Pay using a Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card, your transaction will be declined, regardless of whether the card is loaded into your Apple Wallet.
If you’re asking does Costco take Apple Pay in 2025, the short answer is yes—but only if you meet the Visa requirement. And yes, this applies to all U.S. warehouse locations and most gas stations as well.
Where Can You Use Apple Pay at Costco?
Understanding where you can use Apple Pay at Costco is just as important as knowing how to use it. Here’s a breakdown by location.
In-Store at Costco Warehouses
You can use Apple Pay at nearly all Costco warehouses in the United States. When you’re shopping in-store, simply approach the checkout and look for the contactless payment symbol on the terminal. Apple Pay works seamlessly with:
- iPhone (Face ID or Touch ID)
- Apple Watch
- Other Apple devices with Wallet enabled
Make sure your Apple Wallet is linked to a Visa card before heading to checkout. If you’re using Apple Pay in-store and wondering does Costco take Apple Pay with a Visa debit card, the answer is yes—as long as it’s Visa-branded.
Many shoppers love using Apple Pay at Costco for quick, secure transactions, and it’s fully supported at warehouse registers nationwide.
At Costco Gas Stations
Apple Pay is accepted at most—but not all—Costco gas stations. This is where things get a bit less consistent. Some older gas pumps may still require a physical card swipe and may not support Apple Pay or contactless payments. However, newer pumps do support Apple Pay, provided:
- Your device is Visa-linked
- You’re using an iPhone or Apple Watch
- The terminal displays the contactless symbol
To avoid issues, always have a backup Visa card ready in case the pump does not recognize your mobile wallet.
Online at Costco.com and on the Mobile App
If you’re planning to shop online, be aware that Costco.com does not accept Apple Pay in 2025. The same applies to the Costco mobile app. However, you can still use the following payment methods:
- Visa credit and debit cards
- Mastercard credit cards (only online)
- Discover (online only, in some cases)
- Costco Shop Cards
- Affirm (for eligible purchases)
If you’re asking does Costco take Apple Pay online, the answer is a firm no—for now. Even Apple Card, which is a Mastercard, won’t work in-store or at the pump, but can be used only online as a credit card—not through Apple Pay.
Why Use Apple Pay at Costco?
So why should you use Apple Pay at Costco, especially when there are limitations? Despite the Visa-only policy, there are several reasons why Apple Pay remains one of the best payment methods at Costco in 2025:
- Speed and Convenience: Tap and go. Apple Pay speeds up checkout and keeps the line moving.
- Enhanced Security: Face ID, Touch ID, and tokenization protect your data. Your actual card number is never shared.
- Reward Compatibility: If you’re using a Visa rewards credit card via Apple Pay, your cashback, points, or travel perks still apply.
In a post-COVID world, contactless payments aren’t just a nice-to-have—they’re essential. Costco members are increasingly turning to Apple Pay for quick, secure purchases without pulling out their physical wallets.
How to Maximize Rewards When Using Apple Pay at Costco
If you want to get the most out of using Apple Pay at Costco, it’s not just about convenience—it’s about earning extra value every time you shop.
Here’s how to do it right:
- Use a Visa rewards card through Apple Pay—like the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, Chase Freedom, or other high-earning cards.
- Don’t use Apple Card at the warehouse, since it’s a Mastercard and not accepted in-store.
- Consider pairing Apple Pay with smart tools like Kudos, which helps automatically select the best credit card for your purchase based on rewards potential.
With the Costco Anywhere Visa, you can earn:
- 4% back on eligible gas (including Costco Gas, up to $7,000/year)
- 3% on restaurants and travel
- 2% at Costco and Costco.com
- 1% everywhere else
The best part? These reward rates still apply when using Apple Pay—as long as the card is a Visa.
What Other Payment Methods Does Costco Accept?
In case Apple Pay isn’t an option (maybe your phone dies or the terminal is outdated), Costco accepts a variety of other payment methods. Here’s what’s supported:
In-Store
- Visa credit cards
- Debit cards (PIN-based)
- Costco Shop Cards
- Cash
- Checks (from members)
- EBT (only for eligible food items)
At Costco Gas Stations
- Visa credit or debit cards
- Costco Shop Cards
Online (Costco.com)
- Visa credit cards
- Mastercard credit cards
- Discover credit cards
- Costco Shop Cards
- Affirm (on select purchases)
As always, American Express is not accepted at Costco in any form, in-store or online.
Apple Pay vs Other Mobile Payment Options at Costco
Apple Pay isn’t the only mobile wallet available—but it may be the most seamless for Costco shoppers. Here’s how other mobile wallets compare:
- Google Pay: Accepted, but only if backed by a Visa card
- Samsung Pay: Also accepted, again if using a Visa
- Apple Pay: Works best at Costco due to iOS integration and ease of use—again, Visa required
If your Apple Wallet has a Visa card loaded, it’s the most reliable and secure method for contactless payment at Costco locations.
Final Verdict: Should You Use Apple Pay at Costco?
If you’re a Costco member with a Visa card linked to Apple Pay, then yes—you should absolutely use Apple Pay at Costco. It’s faster, more secure, and compatible with your existing reward credit cards.
However, if you only have Mastercard or American Express, you’ll need to rely on debit, Shop Cards, or apply for a Visa card like the Costco Anywhere Visa to unlock the full Apple Pay experience in-store.
So the next time someone asks, “does Costco take Apple Pay?”, you can confidently say yes—but only with Visa.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Does Costco take Apple Pay at all store locations in 2025?
Yes, all U.S. Costco warehouses support Apple Pay—but only with a Visa card loaded into your Apple Wallet.
Q2. Does Costco take Apple Pay at the gas station?
Yes, most Costco gas stations accept Apple Pay, but a few older pumps may not have contactless readers. Always make sure your Apple Pay is linked to a Visa card.
Q3. Does Costco take Apple Pay online or in the mobile app?
No. Costco.com and the Costco app do not support Apple Pay as a payment method in 2025.
Q4. What happens if I try to use Apple Pay with a Mastercard at Costco?
Your payment will be declined. Even if it’s loaded into Apple Wallet, only Visa cards are accepted at Costco in-store and at the pump.
Q5. Can I earn credit card rewards if I use Apple Pay at Costco?
Yes. As long as your Visa rewards card is used through Apple Pay, you’ll earn the same points, cashback, or miles.
Q6. Does Costco accept Apple Card through Apple Pay?
No. The Apple Card is a Mastercard, so it’s not accepted in-store or at the pump. However, it can be used on Costco.com as a regular credit card—not via Apple Pay.
Q7. Is Apple Pay more secure than using a regular card at Costco?
Yes. Apple Pay adds multiple layers of protection, including biometric authentication and tokenized transactions, making it safer than swiping a physical card.
Q8. What is the best way to use Apple Pay at Costco without a Visa card?
Unfortunately, there is no Apple Pay workaround without a Visa card. You’ll need to use debit, a Costco Shop Card, or apply for a Visa-based credit card if you want to pay with Apple Pay.
