What Credit Cards Does Costco Accept in Canada?
Quick answer: Costco warehouses and Costco gas stations in Canada accept Mastercard as the only credit card. Costco.ca also accepts Visa. American Express isn't accepted. Debit and cash work in the warehouse.
Where each card works at Costco
| Card | Warehouse | Costco gas | Costco.ca |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mastercard | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Visa | No | No | Yes |
| American Express | No | No | No |
Our Costco merchant page keeps this up to date, with the sources and the date we last verified it.
Do Costco purchases earn grocery rewards?
Usually not. Costco warehouses are classified as wholesale clubs by the card networks, not grocery stores, so most cards earn their base rate there rather than a grocery bonus. A card with a high flat rate on everything, or one that names Costco specifically, earns more.
The CIBC Costco Mastercard
Costco's own card is the CIBC Costco Mastercard. You need a Costco membership to hold it, its highest rates are on restaurants and Costco gas, and its cash back is paid once a year as a certificate you can spend only at Costco. The teardown covers the rates, their annual limits and the redemption rules.
No-fee Mastercards you can use at Costco
If you don't want an annual fee, these Mastercards cost nothing to hold:
| Card | Top earn rate |
|---|---|
| Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard | 2.5% at Amazon.ca and Whole Foods (with Prime) |
| BMO Blue Rewards Mastercard | 5 pts per $1 at Blue Rewards Partners |
| BMO CashBack Mastercard | 3% on Groceries |
| CIBC Adapta Mastercard | 1.5x in Your Top 3 Categories |
| CIBC Adapta Mastercard for Students | 1.5x in Your Top 3 Categories |
| CIBC Costco Mastercard | 3% on Restaurants & Costco Gas |
| MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard | 2x on dining, groceries, digital media and bills |
| MBNA True Line Mastercard | No rewards |
Show all 21
| Card | Top earn rate |
|---|---|
| PC Mastercard | 1% in PC Optimum points on everything |
| PC World Elite Mastercard | 3% in points at Loblaw grocers & Shoppers |
| PC World Mastercard | 2% in points at Loblaw grocers & Shoppers |
| RBC Cash Back Mastercard | 2% on Groceries |
| Rogers Red Mastercard | 2% with a Rogers, Fido, Shaw or Comwave service |
| Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard | 2% with a Rogers service; 3% on U.S. dollar purchases |
| Rogers Red World Mastercard | 2% with a Rogers, Fido, Shaw or Comwave service |
| Scotia Momentum Mastercard Credit Card | 1% on Gas, Groceries & Bills |
| Student BMO CashBack Mastercard | 3% on Groceries |
| Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card | 2% in 3 Categories You Choose |
| Tangerine Money-Back World Mastercard | 2% in 3 Categories You Choose |
| Triangle Mastercard | 4% at Canadian Tire stores |
| Triangle World Elite Mastercard | 4% at Canadian Tire stores |
21 of the 139 cards CardTruth tracks. Built from each card's teardown, so it updates when a card changes.
Compare the top earn rate with what the card pays on "everything else," since Costco will usually earn the base rate. Each teardown has the full earning table.
Tips for Costco shoppers
- Visa and Amex holders: pay in the warehouse with debit, or order on Costco.ca with Visa.
- Gas: Costco gas stations follow the warehouse rules, so you'll need a Mastercard or debit.
- Check the merchant page before relying on a bonus. Our merchant pages show how each store usually codes and which cards earn the most there.
Want to see which card earns the most on your Costco, grocery and gas spending? Try Card Match.