If you are a Costco member or considering becoming one, you might be curious as to whether or not they accept Apple Pay as a form of payment. This non-contact form of payment has become increasingly popular over the last couple of years and many stores now accept it.
The answer is yes. Costco does take Apple Pay in almost all locations in the U.S. and Canada, but there are a few limitations and I will discuss those in a little more detail below.
My name is Eric and technology is something that I have been interested in since I was young. I have always enjoyed figuring out answers to questions about different types of technology and how or when they can be used. I also enjoy sharing the information I find with others.
If you would like to learn more about how Apple Pay works at Costco, just keep reading and we will discuss the things you need to make it work there and some other important information you may be interested in knowing when shopping at Costco and using Apple Pay.
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Limitations
As mentioned above, Apple pay has become an extremely popular way to pay for things these days. Since it is a form of contactless payment, it is a great way to pay for things and reduce the spread of germs and viruses.
It’s very easy to use and if you are not familiar with it, you can find more information from Apple. While this is a great technological advance in payment methods, it does have its limitations, one of which is finding stores that accept it, which is probably why you are here in the first place.
Costco does accept it, but its first limitation is that the Costco you shop at must use contactless NFC readers that can talk to your iPhone. NFC stands for near-field communications which is the technology that allows your phone to communicate with payment devices.
Most all Costcos have NFC readers so this is not a real concern, but you may find one that may not have been modernized and this would prevent you from being able to use Apple Pay.
The limitation that you will mostly need to look into is the payment method that you use for Apple Pay. Apple Pay lets you link different types of credit cards to your account, but to pay at Costco, you must have a VISA credit or debit card linked to your account in the U.S.
In Canada, Costco requires that you have a MasterCard credit or debit card associated with your Apple Pay.
Does Apple Pay Work at Costco Gas Stations?
So, Apple Pay can be used in almost all Costco stores, but what about Costco Gas Stations? This is a question that has been asked by many but after doing some research, the answer is a little unclear.
For many Costco gas stations, it does not appear that you can use it to fill up your tank. Users have reported that it is not possible but recently I have seen that many shoppers have been able to do so.
This really comes down to whether or not your Costco gas station has upgraded its pumps with NFC readers. Just like inside the stores, the pumps need to have an NFC reader to connect to your phone and allow you to use Apple Pay.
Many Costco gas stations have upgraded their pumps within the last couple of years but you will still find some that may not have gotten around to it. I took a trip to my local Costco and found that they have upgraded, you may need to do so as well if you haven’t already.
Does Costco Accept Other Types of Mobile Payments?
Apple Pay is not the only type of mobile payment available. Google Wallet and Samsung pay are also popular mobile payment methods. Costco does accept these but with the same restrictions, we have mentioned above.
Why do Mobile Payments Require a Specific Credit Card?
As mentioned above, mobile payments at Costco only work if you have the correct credit or debit card linked to your account. You might be wondering why this matters. Why would they care as long as they get their money?
Well, Costco, like most other merchants has a deal or agreement with a particular credit card company. Visa in the United States and MasterCard in Canada. Because of this, they only accept that particular credit card in their stores.
If you take a look at the payments they do accept, you will notice that in stores in the U.S. they only accept VISA cards. Because of this, the payment via your mobile app must go through VISA as well.
On the other hand, there is a larger variety of credit cards accepted for online purchases. You won’t be able to use Apple Pay for online purchases, but there are other payment forms available when shopping at Costco.com.
It seems kind of ridiculous that a store would not want to take whatever type of card or payment that a customer has, but it all comes down to contracts and deals that the merchant has with the credit card companies.
Why Should I Use Apple Pay?
First of all, Apple Pay is very convenient. No need to carry your credit cards, wallet, or purse around with you when shopping. It’s easy to set up and easy to use. When checking out at a store, all you need to do is hold your phone or device near the NFC reader and you are all done.
It’s also very secure since you need to be able to access your device to use it. Since it is a non-contact way of paying, it also makes it very safe. You won’t have to touch any other payment devices or screens which reduces the transmission of germs and viruses.
It also allows you to keep multiple credit/debit cards and other payment methods all in one place. Letting you conveniently choose which payment source you would like to use when you go to pay.
One final benefit is that you can earn cashback on many of your purchases. If you use Apple Pay a lot, this can add up quickly and you will see some nice cash returns which you can then use for whatever you wish.
Final Words
As we have discussed in detail, Costco does let you use the very safe, convenient, and secure method of Apple Pay to make payments at their stores and even at some gas stations.
I hope you have found this information helpful! Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. I would love to hear from you.
