Costco Eases Payment Rules: App No Longer Restricted to Co-Branded Card for Checkout

Costco's U.S. stores are enhancing the checkout experience by allowing members to link any Visa credit card to the Costco App for mobile payments. This move expands the digital wallet functionality, moving beyond the previous restriction of only using the official co-branded card. The company announced the upgrade on its website, highlighting the convenience of a faster, more streamlined payment process that eliminates the need to carry physical cards.

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Costco is pleased to announce the latest upgrade to the Digital Membership Card, a fast and convenient payment method!

Costco CEO Ron Vachris had previously mentioned several app updates during an earnings call, including improvements to the mobile wallet and the introduction of a digital membership card. These enhancements aim to integrate membership verification and payment within the Costco App, boosting efficiency and reducing reliance on physical cards. The company also noted the expansion of its shopping cart prescan tool to international markets.

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To provide a more convenient shopping experience, you can now add any Visa credit card to your Digital Membership Card and easily complete checkout at Costco stores.

In contrast, Costco Taiwan maintains stricter payment policies. In-store payments are accepted via cash, the designated co-branded credit card, or specific foreign Costco co-branded credit cards. While electronic payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are accepted, they require the linked card to be a Costco co-branded card. The potential for Taiwan to adopt the U.S. payment flexibility remains to be seen.

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No need to search through your wallet, and no need to worry about forgetting your credit card. Just open the Digital Membership Card on your phone to complete the checkout immediately. It's that simple.