costCostco is known for playing by their “rules”, especially when it come to payment options. This is especially true in terms of credit card options as they used to only take American Express and this changed a few years ago and now they don’t accept AmEx at all. So it begs the question does Costco take MasterCard? I went out and found all the answers to your payment questions along with some clever workarounds if MasterCard is the credit card you’d prefer to use.

Can I Use My MasterCard at Costco Stores?

No.

Back in 2017, Costco signed an exclusive agreement with Visa, making them the preferred payment method in their warehouses.

Can I Use a MasterCard on Costco Gas?

No.

The only credit card you can use to buy gas at Costco is a Visa card.

Besides a Visa, the only ways you can pay for gas is with your debit card or a Costco Shop card.

See Also: 7 Things You Gotta Know About Costco Gas Prices

Can I Shop at Costco.com with a MasterCard?

Yes.

You definitely can use your MasterCard when shopping online at Costco.com.

While you won’t have the same selection on the Costco website (compared to their physical store) this is a clever workaround especially if you have a MasterCard with great reward perks that you’d like to take advantage of.

Can I Use a MasterCard on Costco Travel?

Yes.

Costco absolutely lets you use your MasterCard when buying Costco Travel packages.

This is good to know as many MasterCard accounts come with excellent travel insurance like trip delay insurance and luggage delay reimbursement.

See Also: Insider Tips to Use Costco Travel to Save BIG

Can I Use My Debit Card With a MasterCard Logo?

Yes.

You can use your debit card at Costco, and this includes a debit card with a MasterCard logo on it.

You can also use a debit card with a Visa and American Express logo on it.

So What Payment Methods Does Costco Accept?

While many Costco regulars are under the impression that they have very few payment methods, they actually have more than you think.

These are all of their current payment methods.

– All Visa Cards

– The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi

– Most PIN-based Debit/ATM Cards

– Costco Shop Cards

– Cold Hard Cash

– Personal checks (must be a Costco Member)

– Business checks (must be Costco Business Member)

– Traveler’s Checks

– EBT Cards

– Mobile Payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay)

HACK ALERT: Workaround to Use MasterCard on In-Store Purchases

If you’re determined to use your MasterCard at your local Costco this hack is for you.

Simply buy a Costco Cash Card (up to $2,000 per card) on their website, using your MasterCard, then once you have the card in-hand walk into Costco and use it.

You’re essentially using your MasterCard via the Cash Card and collecting the perks that MasterCard gives you. Win-win.

Do The Same Rules Apply to Canada Costco Locations?

No.

In Canada the rules are exactly the opposite compared to the United States.

You have to use a MasterCard at Costco in Canada, they won’t accept a Visa credit card.

Ask the Reader: Do you have any other clever ways to use your MasterCard at Costco? Let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

Sam’s Club is known for saving shoppers significant money. Because of their affordable pricing, it’s a very attractive option for EBT users, even if they have to pay $45 for an annual membership to gain access. But it begs the question, does Sam’s Club take EBT as a form of payment? I set out to answer this question and a bunch of other related questions that will make using your EBT card a very simple task.

Does Sam’s Club Accept EBT?

Yes.

You can use EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) at ALL Sam’s Club in the United States.

What’s the Difference Between SNAP, EBT, and Food Stamps?

SNAP stands for “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program” and is essentially “tech savvy” food stamps.

So instead of getting actual paper food stamps, you’ll get your benefits on a plastic card, similar to a debit card, which is called an EBT card.

Your EBT (or SNAP) card is then used just like a debit card at Sam’s Club.

See Also: Does Costco Take EBT or Snap? All the Facts You Need to Know

What Foods Are Eligible for Purchase at Sam’s?

Here are a few of the most popular items you CAN buy with your EBT card at Sam’s…

– Meats – Includes beef, chicken, fish, and turkey.

– Produce – Includes both fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.

– Dairy – Think things like milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.

– Plants and Seeds – If you can grow it for food, you can buy it with your EBT card.

– Breads/Cereal – These are typically a great deal at Sam’s.

– Non-Alcoholic Drinks

– Snack Foods

What Items Can’t I Buy With my EBT Card?

Here are the major items you CANNOT buy…

– Alcohol 

– Tobacco Products 

– Hot “Already-Cooked” Foods – This includes items from the Sam’s Club food court.

– Diapers – This one really surprises me. Fortunately, there are many ways to get free diapers if you need them.

– Live Seafood

– Paper Products

– Health Items

– Pet Food

– Cleaning Items

– Women’s Hygiene

See Also: 7 Clever Ways to Shop at Sam’s Club W/O a Membership

Can I Use My EBT Card at Self-Checkout?

Yes.

Your EBT card is an allowed payment method when using self-checkout at Sam’s, and is great way to pay if you’re at all embarrassed about using EBT.

You can even do a split payment if you don’t have enough money on your EBT Card.

Once you swipe your card it’ll tell you how much money is on your card.

Then you just swipe your card again and enter your PIN.

The amount on your EBT card will be deducted then you can use a credit card to pay for the remaining balance.

Keep in mind that you must use a credit card to pay the balance as the self-checkout machine WON’T accept cash, even SNAP cash.

What is Sam’s “Scan & Go” Service and Should I Use It?

Yes, definitely use it.

Scan & Go is Sam’s smartphone app that you can download for free and start using immediately.

You just walk around the store, scan items, and put them in your cart.

When you’re done shopping, you just complete your purchase on the app, and as of 2024, you can choose EBT as your payment method.

The great thing about the app is it tells you immediately if the item you just scanned can be purchased with your EBT card.

The best way to make it happen is to pull your cart into a quiet aisle and use the app to scan all the items in your cart with your smartphone.

Next, keep your receipt pulled up on your phone and show it to the worker at the door when exiting.

Done and done.

Can I Shop With a Friend Who’s a Member and Use My Benefits?

No.

In order to use your EBT card (or SNAP benefits) at Sam’s Club, you must pay the $45 annual membership fee.

Can I Use my EBT Card on Sam’s Website?

No.

Unfortunately, you can’t shop the Sam’s website and use your EBT card, you’ll have to go to an actual store to make it happen.

Can I Use EBT on Sam’s Club “Curbside Pickup”?

No.

Curbside pickup orders at Sam’s are not eligible for EBT as your payment method…YET.

The same goes for Sam’s Same-Day Delivery service.

The reason it doesn’t work is because curbside pickup orders use SamsClub.com and the website still doesn’t accept EBT.

Hopefully this will change soon as many shoppers have complained about this to Sam’s Club management.

Can My Family Members Use My EBT Card?

Yes.

But…the only way family members can use your EBT card at Sam’s (or anywhere else) is if you list them when you fill out the benefits application form.

This includes your spouse, parents, and children.

Won’t work if you list your girlfriend or boyfriend, you must be married.

Note: I’ve been told this policy could vary by state, so be sure to do the research on your particular state.

See Also: Sam’s Return Policy: We Make Sense of It For You

Does Sam’s Also Accept WIC?

No.

WIC, which stands for “Women, Infants, and Children”, is a supplemental federal program offering healthy food and nutrition education.

Unfortunately, Sam’s Club is not an authorized WIC retailer and thus not accepted at their store.

But not all hope is lost as most grocery stores DO accept WIC.

Notably, this includes national retailers like Safeway, Target, and Walmart.

Ask the Reader: Do you regularly use your EBT card at Sam’s Club? Is it an easy process? Let me know if this article is missing any information and I’ll be sure to add it.

By Kyle James

Photo credit to Mike Mozart.

I gotta admit I’m getting addicted to just how easy it is to walk up to a checkout register and use Apple Pay on my iPhone to complete my purchase. So it made me wonder if Costco takes Apple Pay as I know they’re a bit stricter on what credit cards and payment methods they allow their members to use. Here’s everything you need to know.

So Does Costco Take Apple Pay?

Yes.

The vast majority of Costco locations accept Apple Pay via their contactless NFC reader.

There are a handful of stores that still have the old technology, but they have probably all upgraded by the time you read this.

What Credit Card Can I Use Via Apple Pay?

Visa only.

In the United States, Costco ONLY accepts Visa when it comes to credit card payments.

But if you live in Canada, Costco will accept ALL major credit cards.

See Also: Does Costco Take MasterCard? Answer Just Might Surprise You

So How Exactly Does Apple Pay Work?

It’s pretty simple, but takes a bit of practice.

When you reach the NFC reader (pictured above) when checking out at Costco, you’ll want to follow these steps…

1. Inform the cashier you’re using Apple Pay.
2. Double click side button of your iPhone to activate default Visa card.
3. Prompt will appear asking you to open iPhone with face or enter your passcode.
4. Once authenticated, place your phone near the reader.
5. Checkmark will appear on iPhone’s screen signifying a successful payment.

Wait for the cashier to hand you your Costco receipt and you’ll be on your way.

See Also: 12 MUST Knows About the Costco Return Policy

Does the Same Go For the Pharmacy, Optical, and Auto Center?

Here’s how it breaks down…

Pharmacy – Yes, you can use Apple Pay at Costco pharmacies.

Optical Center – Yes, you can use Apple Pay when buying your next prescription glasses.

Auto Center – When buying tires from Costco you absolutely can use Apple Pay to complete your purchase.

Food Court – Yes, you can use Apple Pay at the Costco food court.

Can I Use Apple Pay When Buying Gas at Costco?

Yes.

The majority of Costco pumps now have a contactless NFC reader and will accept Apple Pay.

Just make sure you have your Visa credit card linked to Apple Pay.

Keep in mind that you’ll still have to show your a member credentials with either your membership card OR Costco app QR code.

I noticed recently that when I bought gas from Costco using Apple Pay, with my linked Citi Costco Visa card, it also served as membership validation which saved me a step, and some time.

See Also: 7 Smart Tips When Getting Costco Gas

How Do I Make My Visa My Default Credit Card on Apple Pay?

Before you head to your local Costco to use Apple Pay, take a minute to make your Visa card your default payment method as it’ll make checkout seamless.

Remember that the first payment card you add to your Apple Wallet automatically becomes your default card.

So your Visa may already be your default card.

But if it isn’t, then head to your Wallet app on your iPhone and follow these 3 steps:

1. Open the Wallet app.

2. Touch and hold the payment card that you want to set as your default card.

3. Drag the card in front of your other cards.

You’re good to go.

What Payment Methods Does Costco Accept?

Costco accepts the following forms of payment:

– Visa

– Debit card with a PIN

– EBT Cards (Full details)

– Cash

– Personal Check

– Google and Samsung Pay

Can I Use Apple Pay When Shopping on Costco.com?

No.

There’s no option to use Apple Pay on the Costco website.

Instead, just use your credit card like you normally would when shopping online.

But you can use your Apple credit card instead and get the cashback that the card provides.

What If I Own an Android Phone and Not an iPhone?

No worries.

You can use Google Pay at Costco if you have an Android smartphone and it works very similarly to Apple Pay.

Similarly, if you own a Samsung phone you can use Samsung Pay.

Ask the Reader: Do you regularly use Apple Pay at Costco? Is it an easy process? Am I missing anything?

By Kyle James