The Truth About Using Your Apple Card At Costco: 5 Things You MUST Know In 2025

The short, definitive answer as of today, December 15, 2025, is complicated: No, the Apple Card is generally NOT accepted for credit card purchases inside a Costco warehouse or at the Costco gas station. This fact often confuses shoppers because Costco *does* accept Apple Pay, but there is a crucial distinction that can lead to a declined transaction at the register. The core issue lies with the credit card network—the Apple Card is issued on the Mastercard network, while Costco's exclusive in-store policy demands a Visa card for all credit transactions. We're going to break down this payment paradox and show you exactly where, and how, you can still use your Apple Card for your bulk purchases.

This payment rule is a source of constant frustration for Apple Card holders who love the Daily Cash rewards but are blocked by Costco's long-standing, exclusive partnership. Understanding the difference between a mobile payment method (Apple Pay) and the underlying credit card network (Mastercard vs. Visa) is the key to a smooth checkout experience. Keep reading to learn the vital exceptions where your Apple Card is actually accepted and what other payment methods Costco accepts in 2025.

The Definitive Payment Breakdown: In-Store vs. Online

To gain topical authority on this subject, we must first establish the fundamental rule of shopping at the warehouse giant. Costco Wholesale operates under a strict credit card policy that differs significantly between its physical locations and its e-commerce platform, Costco.com. This difference is the sole reason why the Apple Card works in some places but not others.

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Why the Apple Card Fails In-Store (The Visa Exclusivity Rule)

Costco has a long-term, exclusive agreement with Visa for all credit card transactions made at its U.S. and Puerto Rico warehouses, including the food court and the popular Costco gas station. The Apple Card, issued by Goldman Sachs, operates on the Mastercard payment network. Since Mastercard is not Visa, any attempt to use the physical Apple Card (the sleek titanium card) or the digital Apple Card linked to your mobile wallet for a credit purchase in the store will result in a declined payment.

• Costco Warehouse: Visa only (Credit Card).
• Costco Gas Station: Visa only (Credit Card).
• Apple Card Network: Mastercard.
• Result: Declined.

This exclusivity is a business decision that allows Costco to negotiate lower interchange fees, which ultimately helps them keep their prices low for members. If you want to use a credit card in the store, it must be on the Visa network, with the most rewarding option being the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, which offers 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging, 3% on restaurants and travel, and 2% on all other Costco purchases.

The Crucial Apple Pay Caveat

Many shoppers are confused because they see the Apple Pay logo at the checkout terminal. Yes, Costco does accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay—it is a leading retailer in mobile payment adoption. However, this is where the caveat comes in: the credit card linked to your Apple Pay digital wallet must still adhere to the store's underlying network rule. If you tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to pay, and the default card is your Apple Card (Mastercard), the transaction will be rejected by the system.

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The Workaround: If you load a different card, such as a Chase Freedom Unlimited Visa or a Capital One Venture Visa, into your Apple Pay wallet and select it as the payment method, the transaction will go through successfully. Apple Pay simply acts as a secure conduit for the payment, but the card network rule remains in force.

Where Your Apple Card IS Accepted: The Online Exception

There is a significant exception to Costco's Visa-only rule, and it's great news for Apple Card users: Costco.com accepts Mastercard. This means you can use your Apple Card for any purchase made through the official Costco website or the Costco mobile app. This is an important distinction because the online store operates under a different set of payment agreements than the physical warehouses.

When you shop online, you can use your Apple Card and still earn the standard 2% Daily Cash back on all Apple Pay purchases (or 1% if you manually enter the card number). This makes the Apple Card a perfectly viable option for buying electronics, furniture, or other items that you prefer to have shipped directly to your home.

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List of Accepted Payment Methods at Costco.com:

• All Visa Cards (including the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi)
• Mastercard (This includes the Apple Card)
• Most PIN-based Debit/ATM Cards
• Costco Shop Cards
• EBT (in select states)

This exception is vital for maximizing your Apple Card rewards. If you are looking to purchase a large item that doesn't require an immediate in-person trip, such as a new TV or a patio set, using the Apple Card on Costco.com is the best way to leverage your 2% Daily Cash reward.

Beyond Credit Cards: A Full Look at Costco’s Accepted Payments in 2025

While the credit card rules are strict, Costco is actually quite flexible with other forms of payment. For members who do not wish to apply for a Visa card or who want to avoid credit card interest, there are several convenient options available for both in-store and gas station purchases.

Complete List of Accepted In-Store Payment Methods:

For maximum topical authority, here is the complete list of payment methods accepted at all U.S. Costco warehouse locations and gas stations:

• Visa Credit Cards: Any Visa-branded credit card.
• Debit/ATM Cards: Any PIN-based debit card, regardless of the network (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, etc.). This is a key loophole; if your Apple Card is linked to a debit card, you can use the debit card.
• Costco Shop Cards: The gift card of the Costco ecosystem. These can be purchased with any form of payment (including a Mastercard) online and then used in-store.
• Cash: Always accepted at the registers and food court.
• Checks: Accepted at the checkout counter.
• EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer): Accepted in all U.S. warehouses.
• Mobile Payments: Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay (but the underlying card must be a Visa for credit transactions).

The Debit Card loophole is particularly useful. If you have a debit card that is not a Visa, it will still be accepted at Costco. This is because debit card transactions are processed differently than credit card transactions, bypassing the exclusive Visa credit card agreement.

The Costco Shop Card Strategy

For dedicated Apple Card users who insist on earning Daily Cash on their in-store Costco purchases, there is a viable, albeit indirect, strategy: the Costco Shop Card. Since Costco.com accepts Mastercard, you can purchase a Costco Shop Card (a gift card) online using your Apple Card. This transaction will earn you 2% Daily Cash. You can then use the Shop Card for any purchase in the physical warehouse, including groceries, electronics, and even gas. This effectively allows you to use your Apple Card's rewards for in-store shopping, even if the card itself is rejected at the register.

In summary, while the physical Apple Card (Mastercard network) is not accepted in Costco warehouses due to the Visa exclusivity agreement, you can still use it to shop at Costco.com and you can leverage the Costco Shop Card strategy to indirectly use your Daily Cash rewards for your next warehouse run.