Costco memberships are a great way to save money while stocking up on essentials. When it comes to paying, you’ll want to make sure you have the right payment type for in-store and online purchases. While we know that Visa is accepted at Costco, does Costco take American Express cards as well? Continue reading to learn more about American Express and Costco warehouses. 

Related: Does Costco Take Cash? Here’s Why It Might Be Worth Asking

Does Costco Take American Express In-Store?

Unfortunately for Costco members who are also American Express members, Amex cards are not accepted at Costco warehouses. This is due to the partnership between Costco and Visa, which claims Visa as the exclusive credit card network for all warehouses in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Fortunately, there are other ways to pay for your groceries, listed below. 

When Was American Express Used in Costco?

does Costco take American Express

If you’ve been a dedicated Costco member for many years, then you might remember a time when American Express could be used in Costco stores. That’s right — Costco used to accept this credit card as their exclusive partner from 1999 to 2016. When they ended their relationship, Costco moved on to Visa instead. 

Check Out: Does Costco Take Food Stamps? Understanding Your Options

Can You Use American Express Online?

While some credit cards can be used on Costco.com rather than in the warehouse, American Express cards are not accepted online or in-store. To pay for online groceries, you can use a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card. 

Other Payment Options at Costco

There are other ways to pay for groceries both online and in-store at your local Costco warehouse. In-store locations accept cash, Visa cards, Food Stamps (also known as EBT cards), Apple Pay, and Costco Shop Cards. On Costco.com, you can use Visa cards, Discover cards, or Mastercards to complete your purchases. 

Read Next: Does Costco Take Apple Pay?

Even though Costco does not take American Express in-store or online, there are plenty of other options to get your favorite Kirkland Signature or bargain items. Just use one of the payment methods listed above, and you can make your shopping experience a breeze.