Quick Summary:
- You usually need an active Costco membership to buy fuel.
- Pay-at-pump may demand a US ZIP, try the station cashier.
- Use a credit card, and expect a pre-authorisation hold.
- Detour only if savings beat time, tolls, and extra miles.
If you are on a Florida car hire trip, Costco petrol can look like an easy win, big forecourts, decent prices, and consistent fuel quality. The two practical questions are always the same, can you actually buy fuel without being a member, and will your UK bank card work at the pump? The short version is that Costco fuel is members-only in almost all situations, and UK cards can work, but pay-at-pump terminals may throw up a US ZIP code prompt that needs a workaround.
This guide explains Costco membership rules, what to do when a UK card will not validate at the pump, and how to decide whether a Costco stop is worth the detour on a Florida itinerary. The advice is most relevant to visitors collecting a car at busy hubs like Orlando and Miami, for example if you are comparing pick-up points such as car hire at Orlando Airport (MCO) or planning a South Florida route that starts with car hire at Miami Airport (MIA).
Can you buy fuel at Costco in Florida without membership?
In Florida, Costco fuel is intended for Costco members. At the pump you are typically asked to scan your Costco membership card (or a membership barcode in the Costco app) before you can even select a payment method. In practice, if you do not have an active membership, you should assume you will not be able to fuel up at Costco.
There is a common misconception that you can use Costco petrol with any card as long as you pay, or that it works like some UK supermarkets where entry is open to all. In the US, the membership check is part of the payment flow.
There are a few edge cases travellers sometimes mention, like buying a Costco Shop Card (gift card) or being taken by a member. Those situations can vary and can be inconvenient on a trip. For a simple Florida car hire plan, the reliable rule is, no membership, no fuel.
What payment types does Costco fuel accept?
Even with membership, payment acceptance matters. Costco US locations generally accept Visa cards, plus certain debit cards. Many UK travellers carry Mastercard, or Amex, and run into problems that feel like the pump is rejecting a foreign card, when it is actually rejecting the card network.
Before you detour, check that you have a Visa credit card available, or a debit card that is likely to be accepted. If your main travel card is not Visa, you might still be fine at normal Florida stations, but Costco can be stricter.
Also remember that some fuel brands handle foreign cards better than others at pay-at-pump. If you are doing theme park days and need a spacious vehicle, such as a people carrier, it is often simpler to plan fuel stops near where you are staying rather than chasing the lowest price. If you are comparing vehicle options for luggage and passengers, see minivan rental near Disney Orlando (MCO) for typical family-focused choices that may influence how often you want to refuel.
Will a UK card work at the pump in Florida?
Often, yes. Many UK-issued cards work at US pay-at-pump terminals. The friction usually comes from one of three things.
1) ZIP code verification. US pumps may request a billing ZIP code as an anti-fraud check. UK cards do not have a five-digit ZIP code in the same format, so the transaction can fail even when the card itself is valid.
2) Pre-authorisation holds. Pay-at-pump commonly places a hold on your card, sometimes $75, $100, $150, or more. That is not the final charge, but it can temporarily reduce your available balance. This is more noticeable with debit cards.
3) Network and issuer restrictions. Your bank may block an unfamiliar US fuel transaction, especially if you have not enabled international usage, or if the card has stricter rules for unattended terminals.
How to handle the ZIP code prompt with a UK card
If your UK card is accepted but the pump insists on a ZIP code, try these options in order.
Pay inside with the cashier. This is the most reliable workaround. Tell the cashier the pump number, and pay for a set amount. If you overpay, many stations will only charge the amount actually dispensed, with any difference released back to your card. Policies vary, so ask before you authorise.
Use a different card type. A Visa credit card is often the smoothest for US pumps. Debit cards can work, but holds can be bigger, and some banks treat pump transactions as higher risk.
Try contactless or chip insert if offered. Some pumps handle contactless differently from chip and PIN flows. If the terminal supports tap-to-pay, it may bypass certain prompts, but do not rely on it.
Do not depend on a made-up ZIP code trick. Travellers sometimes attempt to enter 00000, or to combine UK postcode digits. This can work in certain US systems and fail in others. It is not dependable, and repeated failures can trigger bank fraud checks. On a time-sensitive day, paying inside is quicker than experimenting.
Costco fuel logistics with a Florida car hire itinerary
Costco forecourts can be busy, especially at weekends and around commuter times. On a Florida trip, the hidden cost is rarely the pump price. It is queueing, navigating large car parks, and driving out of your way in traffic. That matters if you are trying to reach a hotel, drop family at parks, or make a return flight.
Think in terms of total trip cost.
Distance and time. A 20 to 30 minute detour each way can remove any savings, especially if you value your holiday time. In Orlando, I-4 congestion can turn a short detour into a slow crawl.
Tolls. Florida has many toll roads. If your Costco route pushes you onto tolled expressways, the fuel saving can disappear. Factor tolls in before you commit.
Queue time. Costco lines move, but they can still be long. If you have to wait 10 to 20 minutes to reach a pump, you might have been better stopping at a nearby station on the way.
Fuel tank strategy. For car hire, the best approach is usually to keep the tank above a quarter and refuel opportunistically near your route, rather than planning special fuel missions.
When Costco is worth it, and when it is not
Costco can be worth it when: you already have membership, you have a Visa card, you are passing directly by a Costco location, and you expect to buy a near-full tank. Bigger fills produce bigger savings, so the maths improves if you are topping up from low rather than adding a few gallons.
Costco is usually not worth it when: you do not have membership, you are relying on one UK card that may trigger ZIP code issues, or you are detouring off your route. It also tends to be poor value for a quick top-up before returning a car if the Costco is not close to the drop-off point.
Return-day fuelling is a common pain point in Florida. If you are dropping at a high-traffic hub, it can be more practical to use a nearby standard station rather than aiming for the cheapest possible gallon. If your trip finishes in Miami, planning your last fill around where you are staying, for example near Brickell, can be simpler than fighting airport congestion. If it helps to understand local pick-up and drop-off areas, compare options like Alamo car rental in Brickell (BRK) alongside airport locations.
Practical tips to avoid card problems at Florida pumps
Carry two payment methods. Ideally bring a Visa credit card plus a backup. If one issuer declines, you can switch quickly without delaying the queue.
Tell your bank you are travelling. Many banks are better than they used to be, but travel notifications and enabling overseas usage can still reduce declines.
Expect a temporary hold. If you use a debit card, keep extra headroom in the account so a $100 to $200 hold does not cause knock-on declines elsewhere.
Keep receipts for return-day peace of mind. If your rental agreement expects a full-to-full return, a receipt can help if there is a dispute about the fuel gauge reading shortly after refuelling.
Check which side your fuel door is on. US pumps have longer hoses than many UK pumps, but not all are comfortable stretching across a large vehicle. Knowing your filler side reduces forecourt stress when it is busy.
A note on fuel type for most hire cars in Florida
Most Florida car hire vehicles take regular unleaded, typically labelled 87. Diesel is far less common for standard cars. If you are upgrading to a larger SUV or minivan, you are still usually on petrol, but fuel economy varies widely. For longer distances, vehicle choice affects how much you care about per-gallon savings. If you are weighing options for an Orlando holiday base, looking at fleet choices from major suppliers can help set expectations, such as Hertz car hire around Disney Orlando (MCO).
Also remember US fuel prices are displayed per gallon, not per litre. If you are calculating savings, convert roughly by multiplying the gallon price by 0.264 to estimate the per-litre equivalent, then compare the difference between stations. Even a 20 to 30 cent per gallon saving may be modest in total pounds unless you are filling a large tank.
Should you get a Costco membership just for fuel on a Florida trip?
For most visitors, buying a membership only to access fuel is rarely the best value, unless you already planned to use Costco for shopping and you will be driving enough miles to make the fuel savings meaningful. Membership cost, time spent, and the possibility of card friction at the pump can outweigh any benefit.
If you are travelling as a family, you might find savings in bulk items and snacks, but that becomes a shopping decision, not a pure fuelling decision. On a typical one to two week Florida holiday, the simplest plan is to fuel where it is convenient, avoid running low, and treat Costco as a bonus stop only if it is already on your route and you are equipped for it.
FAQ
Do I need a Costco membership to buy fuel in Florida? In almost all cases, yes. You normally must scan an active Costco membership before the pump lets you pay.
Will my UK Mastercard work at Costco petrol stations? Often no, because Costco US fuel commonly accepts Visa rather than Mastercard. Even with membership, bring a Visa card to avoid wasted detours.
What do I do if the pump asks for a ZIP code? Pay inside with the cashier and quote the pump number. This avoids the US ZIP verification step that can block UK-issued cards.
Why did the pump take more money than my fuel cost? It is usually a pre-authorisation hold. The final charge should update to the actual amount, and the extra is released later by your bank.
Is it worth driving out of my way to Costco for fuel? Only if you already have membership, your card will be accepted, and the stop is close to your route. Add up time, traffic, and tolls before deciding.
