Info On Costco Visa Card

almcc wrote: "Our MC works almost 100% of the time with the zip code work around except for a couple of stations in the "boonies" where nothing works at the pumps, including debit cards."

We have a BMO US$ MasterCard, and on a recent 5-week trip to the States, the MC worked 100% of the time with the zip code work-around. For those Canadians who are unfamiliar with this "trick", here's an example:

Say your Canadian postal code is K3F 6Y4. Your "zip code" would be 36400.

Regarding Costco gas bars on either side of the border, remember to have MC in Canada and VISA in the US, as Costco gas bars aren't equipped to take cash. Or, as I mentioned in an earlier post, if you don't have the correct card, simply go into the store and buy a "Costco Cash Card" which will be fine at the gas bar.

Z-Peller wrote:
I have carried both Mastercard and Visa for years so have it covered either side of border. Does not have to be a specific Costco Visa or Mastercard to use at Costco.
Interesting aside is that when I am in US and use my hybrid zip (three numbers & two zeros) at a gas pump (not Costco) sometimes Mastercard will not accept, but if I then use my Visa the pump will accept it.....go figure!!

We also have both MC and Visa cards but our MC is our only US$ card. While we used our Visa card in US Costcos it costs us on the exchange as we can move our other US funds into our MC and avoid the exchange hit. Here in Canada WalMart took on Visa and beat down their fees.

Our MC works almost 100% of the time with the zip code work around except for a couple of stations in the "boonies" where nothing works at the pumps, including debit cards.

I have carried both Mastercard and Visa for years so have it covered either side of border. Does not have to be a specific Costco Visa or Mastercard to use at Costco.
Interesting aside is that when I am in US and use my hybrid zip (three numbers & two zeros) at a gas pump (not Costco) sometimes Mastercard will not accept, but if I then use my Visa the pump will accept it.....go figure!!

Unfortunately, for those of us who are Costco members and would like to shop/buy gas in both Canada and the US, the acceptable credit card is DIFFERENT: MasterCard in Canada and VISA in the US.

We had the reverse problem when trying to buy gas at the Augusta, GA Costco. We don't have a VISA card, and as the OP states, Costco gas bars do NOT accept cash.:(

A way around this problem if you have the time is to go into the store and use cash to buy a "Costco Cash Card", which you can then use at the gas bar.

It really is too bad that Costco Canada and Costco USA don't use the same credit card.

ford-willy wrote:
So on our Alaska trip we get to Grande Prairie AB. Go to Costco for the really good Diesel fuel price at one of the few Costco's with diesel fuel. . When I get to Costco gas station they will not take US Costco Visa, not the store either. No cash either at pump. Only master charge. I was led to believe on this forum that Visa, not Master Charge was the prevalent card in Canada?

Costco savings in Grande Prairie are highly over-rated. The same price is available at any of the grocery stores with fuel stations in town. They all price match each other, with additional savings available for use in-store. The "No-Frills store on the south side of town has a tighter lot for pulling a trailer around in, where-as the south side Safeway has the better lot of this chains lots. The Superstore on the north end has probably the most open lot of all the grocery/fuel lots.

Naive!!?? Don't believe everything you read on this (or others) forum!!
(unless of course it came from me;))

stickdog wrote:

luckyd wrote:
Canadians feel the pinch when we go south for the winter.
Costco in Canada accepts Mastercard
Costco in the USA uses Visa.

They both take cash!

NOT on the fuel island, ONLY a card.

I use my debt card in the store and at the pump.

Hi,

The few Costco's I've purchased gas from allowed the use of any mastercard at the pump.

In USA, some accepted visa at the pump--and others I had to go into the store and purchase a gift card.

Cordelia wrote:
Go into the store and buy a costco gift card using your non costco master card. Then go out to the pump and pay with the costco gift card.

Go into the store and buy a costco gift card using your non costco master card. Then go out to the pump and pay with the costco gift card.