With more people using contactless payments, a common question is, “Does Costco take Apple Pay?” For a long time, Costco, like Walmart, didn’t accept Apple Pay. But things have changed!
In this guide, we’ll cover whether Costco now accepts Apple Pay at stores, gas stations, food courts, and more.
Does Costco Take Apple Pay?
Yes, Costco accepts Apple Pay at most U.S. locations, including at registers and gas stations, as long as the store has an NFC (near-field communication) reader. To use Apple Pay, you must link a Visa card, as Costco exclusively accepts Visa for credit card transactions. Always check for the contactless payment symbol or confirm with your local store to ensure Apple Pay is available.
For online or app purchases, other payment methods like Google Pay and Visa are accepted, but PayPal is not supported.
See Also: Does Costco Take EBT Cards?
Can You Use Apple Pay Without a Visa Card at Costco?
You cannot use Apple Pay with a different type of card in your mobile digital wallet except a Visa card. Costco’s primary in-store payment method is Visa due to a significant contract. While they accept mobile wallets like Apple Pay, only Visa cards will work for in-store purchases.
See Also: Costco Return Policy
How to Use Apple Pay at Costco?
1. In-Store Purchases:
- Step 1: Inform the cashier you’re using Apple Pay.
- Step 2: Hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the NFC terminal.
- Step 3: Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
- Step 4: Wait for the confirmation checkmark to complete the payment.
2. At Costco Gas Stations:
- Use Apple Pay at participating stations by holding your device near the pump’s contactless reader.
3. Online/App Purchases:
- Select Apple Pay at checkout in the Costco app or website and verify the transaction.
What Form of Payment Does Costco Take?
No iPhone? No problem! Costco accepts Google Pay and Samsung Pay for Android users. Samsung Pay works exclusively on Samsung devices. Multiple payment methods are supported in-store, online, and at gas stations, ensuring smooth transactions for everyone.
| Payment Methods | U.S. Costco Physical Stores | Costco.com (Official Website) | U.S. Costco Gas Stations |
| All Visa Credit Cards | Accept | Accept | Accept |
| PIN-Based Debit/ATM Cards | Accept | Accept | Accept |
| The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi | Not Accepted | Accept | Accept |
| Costco Shop Cards | Accept | Accept | Accept |
| Cash | Accept | Not Accepted | Not Accepted |
| Personal Checks from Current Costco Members | Accept | Not Accepted | Not Accepted |
| Business Check from Current Costco Business Members | Accept | Not Accepted | Not Accepted |
| Traveler’s Check | Accept | Not Accepted | Not Accepted |
| EBT Cards | Accept | Not Accepted | Not Accepted |
| Mobile Payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) | Accept | Not Accepted | Not Accepted |
| American Express | Not Accepted | Not Accepted | Not Accepted |
| Discover | Not Accepted | Accept | Not Accepted |
| MasterCard | Not Accepted | Accept | Not Accepted |
Does Costco Gas Take Apple Pay? Quick Guide
Yes, Costco gas stations accept Apple Pay, but only at pumps equipped with NFC readers for contactless payments. Look for the contactless payment symbol or ask a Costco attendant to confirm.
Important: Costco Membership Required
To use Apple Pay at Costco gas stations, you must have a physical Costco membership card. Digital memberships are not accepted for fuel purchases.
How to Pay at Costco Gas with Apple Pay
There are three ways to tap and pay at Costco gas stations:
- Tap with your Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
- Insert your Costco membership card, then tap with a contactless credit card
- Insert your Costco membership card, then tap with your mobile wallet (Apple Pay)
Ensure you have both your membership card and Apple Pay ready to enjoy contactless payment at Costco gas stations.
Does Costco Take Apple Pay at Food Courts and Pharmacies?
Yes, you can use Apple Pay at Costco food courts and pharmacies. Besides this, you can also use mobile payment methods like Apple Pay at Costco optical centers and auto centers.
Remember that if you opt for home delivery orders, you cannot pay using Apple Pay. You will need to use any of the following cards for payment:
- Visa credit card
- Pin-based debit card
- Discover
- MasterCard
- Costco shop card
- The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi
Does Apple Pay Work at Costco Website?
You cannot use the Apple Pay mobile payment method at Costco.com. Mobile wallet options only work in the physical Costco stores. Even if you are an Android user, you cannot use Google Pay or Samsung Pay while shopping from Costco’s official website.
See Also: Everything You Need to Know About Walmart Online Grocery
Why Is Apple Pay at Costco Safer Than Using Cards or Cash?
Using Apple Pay is a simple and safe method to make purchases at Costco. All U.S. Costco stores accept Apple Pay, which enables you to pay instantly and without touching a card reader. Businesses do not save or receive your card information when you use Apple Pay.
To reduce the chance of fraud, Apple employs a distinct device account number for every transaction. Things are much safer when biometric identification is used, such as Touch ID or Face ID. For those who purchase frequently, Apple Pay is ideal since it facilitates rapid checkout times and convenient transaction tracking.
Benefits of Using Apple Pay at Costco
Using Apple Pay at Costco offers key benefits:
- Enhanced Security: Your card details remain encrypted, protecting you from fraud.
- Faster Checkout: Quick, contactless payment via iPhone or Apple Watch speeds up the process.
- No Limits: Costco allows unlimited transactions with Apple Pay.
- Convenience: Easy setup in Apple Wallet for seamless payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Costco Gas Station Take Apple Pay Without a Physical Costco Membership Card?
Costco gas stations accept Apple Pay with a linked Visa card, but you still need a valid Costco membership to buy fuel. You can use either a physical or digital membership card. Apple Pay alone won’t bypass this requirement.
Can I pay with my phone at Costco?
Yes, you can pay with your phone at Costco using mobile payment options like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay, as long as the card linked is a Visa.
How do I add Costco to Apple Pay?
To add Costco to Apple Pay:
- Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
- Tap the + button, and add your Costco Visa card.
- Follow the prompts to verify.
You can access your Costco membership via the Costco app, not Wallet.
Does Costco accept Apple Pay in store?
Yes, Costco accepts Apple Pay in most of its stores across the United States, as long as the payment is linked to a Visa card.