‘This is the worst news ever’: Georgia woman gets email from Capital One. Then she realizes it affects whether she can go to Costco
A Georgia Capital One customer gets an email from her bank, letting her know that all debit cards will switch from Mastercard to Discover. However, she realizes that it could impact her ability to shop at Costco.
In a video with over 169,000 views, TikTok Kile (@kiileynicole) says she opened an email from Capital One that told her a new debit card was on the way. She notices that the bank will make a switch from Mastercard to Discover. An announcement on Capital One’s website confirms the switch.
Capital One acquired Discover earlier this year, according to a press release, which prompted a switch from Mastercard to the new carrier for its debit cards.
“My debit card is literally the only way I get into Costco,” she says. “Why would y’all do that?”
Will the Capital One switch to Discover impact her Costco trips?
Warehouse chain Costco doesn’t accept all forms of payment. According to its website, Costco members must pay with a VISA credit card or most PIN-based debit cards when shopping in person. Other payment methods may be available for online purchases.
In the comments, Costco shoppers are split on whether the switch will actually impact their ability to make purchases at the warehouse. Some share their own experiences using a Discover debit card at Costco.
“They do accept discover debit cards as long as you enter your pin. They will not accept it if you attempt to bypass the pin,” one suggests.
“You can still use your discover debit card at Costco,” another insists.
“No they don’t accept Discover debit card, I have one and they never let me pay with it,” a third counters.
Are there other reasons Capital One customers don’t want a Discover card?
Several commenters suggest that using the new Discover debit cards at Costco is the least of their worries. Instead, they say they’ve run into bigger issues, including trouble paying their bills with the new debit cards.
“I can’t pay half my bills because they don’t accept Discover. What their solution they told me? Move money to Venmo or similar or pay in cash. Defeats the whole damn purpose of a checking account,” a commenter shares.
“I was okay until today when three of my bills can no longer be paid because I have a discover card. why would Capital one who’s been around longer, change to discover instead of discover people changing to Capital One? I’ve literally had one of my accounts for 23 years,” another says.
“It also said that we would t be able to use them to do instant transfers through cash app, Apple pay and other apps as well.. they lost a customer this year,” a third laments.
However, others are hopeful that Capital One’s acquisition will eventually improve the Discover network.
“Capital One now owns the Discover network. I’m sure more companies will begin to accept. It’s super easy to create a new bank account though,” one writes.
@kiileynicole @Capital One this is the worst news ever… now i have to bank elsewhere ? #fyp #costco #adulting #finance ♬ original sound – kile :)
The Mary Sue reached out to Kile and Capital One via email and to Costco via media contact form.
Update Oct. 14, 2025:
In an email to The Mary Sue, the TikToker says she doesn’t plan to activate the Discover debit card immediately.
“I plan to use my Mastercard until it expires (lol), regardless of the new card sitting in my mailbox. When that time comes and I have to use the new one, if certain grocers don’t accept, luckily, my boyfriend has a visa debit card,” she writes.
Update Oct. 15, 2025:
In an email to The Mary Sue, a Capital One spokesperson says that customers should not experience widespread issues using their Discover debit card at retailers.
“In general, Discover Network is widely accepted nationwide by most merchants, and customers should be able to use their Capital One debit/ATM card as they do today,” the statement reads. “Some merchants, such as Costco, may require card users on the Discover Network to select ‘Debit’ and enter their PIN when making a purchase.”
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