As one of the biggest retailers in the US, it’s not surprising that many ask whether Costco takes Apple Pay. This household name has just under 560 store locations in the US and nearly 250 more across the globe. And paying with Apple Pay at Costco would be tremendously convenient for many customers.
As of 2018, all Costco stores with NFC technology making them capable of taking Apple Pay. This applies to in-store purchases at your local Costco, as well as at Costco gas stations and pharmacies. You can also buy good through Costco’s online store using Apple Pay. However, if you’re purchasing in-store, your digital wallet must be linked to a Visa card.
The same applies to standard credit and debit card purchases at their stores. And the reason for this is that Costco has formed a mutually beneficial partnership with Visa.
With customers forced to use a Visa card for payment, Visa is guaranteed to benefit from most Costco purchases. As a result, Costco has negotiated a favorable fee per transaction that ensures their expenses are lower than most competitors.
Costco’s first wholesale store was opened in September 1983 in Seattle. And by the end of 1983, there were already three Costco stores in the US. Now the company boasts over 800 stores and 254,000 employees across the world. And it’s reported that their customer base grew to over 100 million members in 2020.
It’s no surprise that this influential retailer is ahead of the curve with NFC technology and takes Apple Pay. Let’s take a look at how to pay with Apple Pay at Costco.
How Do You Pay at Costco with Apple Pay?
Paying with Apple Pay at this famous retail wholesaler is not complicated. You’ll just need to ensure that you’ve installed the most recent of the operating system for your device. And you should be using an iPhone 6 or newer with the Apple Pay Wallet app installed.
The Apple Pay Wallet is usually pre-installed on all Apple devices. However, if you don’t see it on your device, you can always download it from your Apple app store. You’ll then need to set up your digital wallet and link your preferred debit or credit cards for payment.
Remember that, when shopping at Costco, you must pay with a Visa card. Therefore, if you use Apple Pay to pay for your goods, you must have a Visa card linked to your wallet.
Paying with Apple Pay at a Costco Store
If your wallet is set up, you can go ahead and do your shopping at Costco as usual. When you’ve shopped all the items you require, you can proceed to the checkout queue. You can then pay with Apple Pay when you get to the cashier by following these steps:
- Let the Costco cashier ring up your items as you normally would.
- Next, let the cashier know that you wish to make payment using Apple Pay.
- The cashier will then point you in the direction of the NFC reader at the register.
- After that, you’ll be prompted to bring your device closer to the reader.
- You can open the Apple Pay app on your Apple device. Or you can initiate payment via your default car by double-clicking the side button on your device.
- Next, you’ll need to verify your identity through Touch ID or Face ID scan.
- Make sure you’ve chosen the correct card for payment if you’re not going to use the default card. And remember to ensure that it’s a Visa card.
- Bring your device closer to the reader to initiate the payment process.
- You’ll see a large checkmark on the screen of your device when it has been processed successfully. You should feel a slight vibration on your wrist as confirmation of payment if you’re using an Apple Watch.
Purchasing with Apple Pay through the Costco Website & App
Perhaps you’d prefer to shop online at Costco.com or via their comprehensive mobile app. And paying for your purchase with Apple Pay is very similar to using this payment method in-store. You can choose to access the website via your PC, tablet, laptop, or phone.
Whichever you choose, you’ll still need to have your phone with you to complete the verification process. And you’ll need to make sure you’re signed in with the correct Apple ID on both devices. The same applied to shopping via their app. Pay with Apple Pay via the website or app by following these steps:
- Navigate the website or app to find the items you’d like to purchase and add them to your cart.
- Then go to the Checkout section of the website or app.
- Complete the sections requiring your billing and shipping information.
- Next, select Apple Pay as your preferred payment method.
- You’ll see the Apple Pay app open up on your phone.
- First, make sure you’ve selected the correct card before initiating the payment if you’re not using your default card. Note that you’re not limited to using a Visa card when shopping on the website or app.
- You’ll must then to validate your identity on your phone using Face ID scan or Touch ID.
- The payment should then go through, and you’ll see a checkmark on your device when the payment is complete.
Conclusion
It could be filling up your car at a Costco gas station or getting medication at a Costco pharmacy. Or perhaps you want to buy something from the store or grab lunch at the Costco food court. Either way, Costco has made the payment process more secure and hygienic with cardless, contactless payment options.
Knowing that Costco takes Apple Pay offers a convenient and safe way to pay at one of America’s favorite wholesale retail stores.
