Does Costco Accept the Apple Card? An Updated Guide

Costco wholesalers, widely recognized for their extensive product range and exclusive deals, are continually adapting to the evolving world of payment options. One common question from consumers is whether Costco accepts the Apple Card. In this article, we will explore the latest information on this matter and provide you with a detailed guide on the payment methods accepted at Costco.

Apple Card Acceptance at Costco: The Current Situation

As of the latest updates, Costco does not accept the Apple Card directly for in-store purchases because it is a Visa card, whereas Costco only accepts Visa credit cards. However, you can use the Apple Card to make purchases online or through Apple Pay at locations that accept these payment methods. Always check with Costco or the Apple Card support for the most current information as policies may change.

Some minor details that are sometimes not highlighted include the fact that Costco has an agreement with Visa to accept Visa credit cards. However, this agreement does not specify anything about debit cards. Therefore, the Apple Card (a credit card) would not be accepted at U.S. Costco locations. In Canada, things are different, with some Canadian Costco warehouses accepting the Apple Card.

Understanding Card Networks

To fully understand the rationale behind the current situation, it's essential to know about the different card networks. All credit cards are affiliated with a card network. The Apple Card is affiliated with Mastercard, which explains why it is accepted wherever Mastercard is accepted. Costco has recently shifted from an exclusive partnership with American Express to a partnership with Visa. As a result, Costco now accepts Mastercard and Visa, but not American Express or Discover.

Credit cards are essentially branded versions of these networks. Since the Apple Card is an Apple-branded MasterCard, it can be accepted at Canadian Costco stores where MasterCard is accepted. However, U.S. Costco stores do not accept the Apple Card because they only accept Visa.

In practice, some locations, particularly in Canada, might allow the use of the Apple Card due to acceptance of MasterCard. Similarly, you can use a MasterCard or a Discover card at Costco's U.S. website, and MasterCard and Visa at Costco's Canadian website. Additionally, Costco's U.S. stores, like many other locations, are set up to accept contactless payments, including payments made through Apple Pay wallets, but not every card within a wallet may be accepted.

Using Apple Card at Costco

If you have an Apple Card and want to use it at Costco, there are a couple of options:

Online Purchases: You can use the Apple Card for online purchases from the Costco website. Apple Pay: If you are at a Costco location, you can use your iPhone or Apple Watch to make purchases through Apple Pay.

These methods make it convenient to shop at Costco while still taking advantage of the benefits of the Apple Card.

Conclusion

In summary, while Costco does not directly accept the Apple Card for in-store purchases in the U.S., it is acceptable for online purchases and through Apple Pay. For the most current information, always check with Costco or the Apple Card support as policies can change.