Few financial decisions spark as much curiosity as whether to get a store credit card. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi blurs that line — it works anywhere Visa is accepted, yet requires a paid Costco membership to even apply, and with 5% cash back on gas at Costco and no foreign transaction fees, it is one of the more intriguing cash-back cards available.
Annual fee: $0 (with paid Costco membership) ·
Cash back on gas at Costco: 5% ·
Cash back on eligible gas/EV charging elsewhere: 4% ·
Cash back on restaurants and travel: 3% ·
Foreign transaction fee: $0
Quick snapshot
- No annual card fee with paid Costco membership (Citi official benefits page)
- 5% cash back on gas at Costco, 4% on other gas and EV charging (Citi)
- 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel (Costco Travel)
- $0 foreign transaction fee (Citi)
- Exact minimum credit score for approval (Citi credit score guidance)
- Official income minimum — not published (Citi)
- Approval rate for applicants with fair credit (Citi credit score guidance)
- Official policy on authorized user fees or restrictions (Citi credit score guidance)
- Gas at Costco: 5% cash back (UC Riverside School of Business)
- Gas/EV elsewhere: 4% (combined $7,000/yr cap, then 1%) (UC Riverside School of Business)
- Restaurants & travel: 3% (UC Riverside School of Business)
- Costco.com purchases: 2% (UC Riverside School of Business)
- All other purchases: 1% (UC Riverside School of Business)
- Check pre-qualification on Citi’s site (Citi pre-qualification recommendation)
- Ensure active Costco membership before applying (Citi pre-qualification recommendation)
- Compare against your spending patterns (Citi pre-qualification recommendation)
Eight key specifications, one pattern: the Costco Anywhere Visa Card is built for high-frequency Costco shoppers who also want a solid everyday earner.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Card issuer | Citi |
| Card network | Visa |
| Annual fee | $0 (with active paid Costco membership) |
| Gas at Costco | 5% cash back |
| Other gas and EV charging | 4% cash back (combined $7,000/yr cap, then 1%) |
| Restaurants and travel | 3% cash back |
| Costco.com purchases | 2% cash back |
| All other purchases | 1% cash back |
| Foreign transaction fee | $0 |
| Rewards redemption | Annual certificate with February statement, redeemable at Costco warehouses |
| Purchase protection | Damage & Theft up to 120 days (90 days NY residents) |
| Recommended credit score | 690+ (good to excellent) |
Does Costco do a credit card?
What is the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi?
- The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is a cash-back rewards credit card issued by Citi and available only to Costco members in the U.S. (Citi official product page)
- It functions as both a credit card and the cardholder’s Costco membership card, so members can use it to enter warehouses and pay at checkout (Citi)
- The card is part of the Visa network and is accepted wherever Visa is accepted worldwide (UC Riverside School of Business analysis)
How does the card work with a Costco membership?
- Before applying for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, applicants must already have an active Costco membership, according to Citi’s eligibility guidance (Citi eligibility page)
- The card itself carries no annual fee, but the membership requirement creates an effective cost floor. A basic Gold Star membership costs at least about $65 per year (NerdWallet analysis)
- If a cardholder cancels their Costco membership, the credit card account cannot be maintained, and any unredeemed rewards certificate may be forfeited
Costco shoppers who already hold a paid membership face zero extra fixed cost for the card. For non-members, the $65-plus membership fee becomes the true price of entry — and that changes the math on whether the rewards cover the annual outlay.
What this means: the Costco Anywhere Visa Card is effectively a membership perk, not a standalone credit card. Its value is tied directly to how often you shop at Costco and whether you would hold a membership anyway.
Is it worth having a Costco Credit Card?
What are the cash back rewards?
- The card earns 5% cash back on gas at Costco and 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle charging worldwide, on a combined $7,000 in spending per year, then 1% thereafter (Citi rewards breakdown)
- Cardholders earn 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases, including Costco Travel (Costco Travel benefits page)
- All other purchases from Costco and Costco.com earn 2% cash back, while all other purchases everywhere else earn 1% (Citi)
- There is no maximum cap on the total amount of cash back you can earn, beyond the specific category cap on the 5%/4% gas and EV charging tier (UC Riverside School of Business)
What are the pros and cons?
Upsides
- No annual card fee with paid membership
- 5% gas at Costco — among the highest gas rewards available
- $0 foreign transaction fees for international travel
- Damage & Theft Purchase Protection for up to 120 days (Citi purchase protection)
- $0 fraud liability with fraud monitoring and alerts (Citi fraud protection)
- Reports monthly to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, helping build credit history (UC Riverside)
Downsides
- Requires paid Costco membership ($65–$120/year) — real cost of ownership
- Cash back issued only once per year as a certificate with February statement (Citi rewards schedule)
- Certificate must be redeemed in a single transaction at a U.S. Costco warehouse (unless rewards exceed $300, then ACH deposit available) (Citi redemption policy)
- No sign-up bonus, unlike many competing rewards cards (NerdWallet comparison)
- Gas and EV charging bonus capped at $7,000 combined spending per year, then drops to 1%
How does it compare to other cash-back cards?
- NerdWallet emphasizes that the Costco Anywhere Visa card does not offer a sign-up bonus, unlike many competing rewards credit cards, but compensates with high ongoing cash-back rates for Costco shoppers (NerdWallet)
- Costco Travel purchases can earn 3% cash back with the Costco Anywhere Visa, on top of the 2% Executive Membership reward if the member holds that higher-tier membership (Costco Travel)
- The card supports contactless tap-to-pay and can be added to digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay (UC Riverside)
The lack of a sign-up bonus is the card’s biggest competitive gap. A typical cash-back card offers $150–$200 after a minimum spend. Over a year, a Costco shopper earning $200–$300 in gas and dining rewards still comes out ahead on rewards alone — but the first year feels thinner without that upfront bonus.
The pattern: the Costco Anywhere Visa Card rewards concentrated spending in its bonus categories generously, but its once-a-year redemption model and lack of a sign-up bonus make it less flexible than general cash-back cards for casual users.
For more on credit card settlements, see our coverage of the Capital One Settlement 2025 and the Credit One Bank TCPA Robocall Settlement.
Is a Costco Credit Card hard to get?
What credit score is needed?
- Citi states that having a higher credit score increases the likelihood of approval for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, though there is no published minimum score requirement (Citi credit score guidance)
- Industry analysts and user reports consistently suggest a score of 690 or higher (good to excellent credit) for a reasonable approval chance
- Citi recommends that applicants consider pre-qualification to better understand their approval chances before submitting a full application (Citi pre-qualification advice)
What income is required?
- No official minimum income is published for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card (Citi eligibility page)
- Citi evaluates credit history, debt-to-income ratio, and overall creditworthiness as part of the application review
Who is eligible?
- U.S. residents with an active, paid Costco membership are eligible to apply (Citi membership requirement)
- Eligibility also depends on credit score, income, creditworthiness, and recent credit applications
- The card reports to all three major credit bureaus, which means responsible use can help build credit over time (UC Riverside)
The catch: the card is not hard to get for someone with good credit and a Costco membership. But the lack of a published minimum score means applicants with fair or thin credit profiles face uncertainty.
Is a Costco credit card free?
What is the annual fee?
- The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi has no standalone annual credit card fee, but requires an active, paid Costco membership (Citi official page)
- A basic Costco Gold Star membership in the United States costs at least about $65 per year, which effectively becomes the minimum cost to hold the card (NerdWallet)
What are the hidden costs?
- The card charges no foreign transaction fees on purchases abroad, making it suitable for international travel spending (Citi foreign transaction fee policy)
- Late payment fees and returned payment fees apply as with any credit card, but no annual or monthly maintenance fees exist beyond the membership requirement
How much income do you need for a Costco Credit Card?
Is there a minimum income requirement?
- Citi does not publish a specific minimum income requirement for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card (Citi eligibility page)
- Like most credit card issuers, Citi evaluates each application holistically, considering credit history, existing debt obligations, and overall financial profile
What factors does Citi consider?
- Credit score: higher scores improve approval odds
- Debt-to-income ratio: lower ratios signal stronger repayment capacity
- Recent credit applications: multiple recent inquiries may reduce approval chances (Citi credit factors)
- Active Costco membership: required before applying
What this means: there is no magic income number. Citi looks at the full picture. Applicants with fair credit but stable income and low debt may still qualify, while those with high income but poor credit history may not.
How to apply for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card
Applying for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi involves a few straightforward steps. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough based on Citi’s official process.
- Step 1: Confirm your Costco membership
- You must already have an active, paid Costco membership before you apply (Citi membership requirement)
- If you are not yet a member, you can sign up at any Costco warehouse or on Costco’s website
- Step 2: Check your credit profile
- Review your credit score from Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — Citi will check your credit as part of the application
- A score of 690 or higher is generally recommended for a strong approval chance
- Step 3: Use Citi’s pre-qualification tool
- Citi recommends that applicants consider pre-qualification to understand their approval chances before submitting a full application (Citi pre-qualification advice)
- Pre-qualification uses a soft credit inquiry that does not affect your credit score
- Step 4: Submit your application
- Apply online through Citi’s website or at a Costco warehouse
- You will need to provide personal information including your Social Security number, income details, and Costco membership number
- Approval decisions are typically provided within minutes
- Step 5: Activate and use your card
- Once approved, your card will arrive by mail and can be activated through Citi’s online portal or mobile app
- The card functions as both your credit card and your Costco membership card for warehouse entry and payment
The process is straightforward, but ensuring a strong credit profile and active membership greatly increases approval odds.
Quotes from real users and official sources
“Earn 5% cash back on gas at Costco and 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging.”
— Citi official benefits page (Citi)
“I basically do 99% of my shopping at Costco. I’m also curious about travel benefits.”
— Reddit user discussing everyday use of the card
The contrast between official marketing and real-world usage reveals a consistent theme: the card shines for loyal Costco shoppers but leaves casual users underwhelmed by the once-a-year redemption rhythm.
If you live in Canada, the CIBC Costco Mastercard is the version issued by CIBC, with different terms and online portal compared to the US Citi card.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the Costco credit card anywhere?
Yes. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is a Visa credit card and is accepted wherever Visa is accepted worldwide, including at non-Costco merchants. It also charges no foreign transaction fees, so it works well for international purchases.
How do I redeem Costco cash rewards?
Your cash back is issued as an annual reward certificate with your February billing statement. The certificate can be redeemed for cash or merchandise in a single transaction at any U.S. Costco warehouse, including Puerto Rico. If you earn at least $300 in rewards, Citi allows redemption by ACH direct deposit into a bank account.
Does the Costco credit card have a sign-up bonus?
No. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card does not offer a sign-up bonus, unlike many competing rewards credit cards. It compensates with high ongoing cash-back rates in its bonus categories, particularly for gas and dining.
Can I have multiple Costco credit cards?
No. Each Costco member can have only one Costco Anywhere Visa Card account. However, authorized users can be added to an existing account.
What happens if I cancel my Costco membership?
If you cancel your Costco membership, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card account cannot be maintained and will be closed. Any unredeemed rewards certificate may be forfeited, so it is best to redeem your cash back before canceling.
Is the Costco credit card a Visa?
Yes. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is a Visa credit card, which means it is accepted at millions of merchants worldwide wherever Visa is accepted.
How long does it take to get approved for the Costco credit card?
Online applications typically receive an instant decision within minutes. If approved, the physical card arrives by mail within 7–10 business days. Instant digital card access may be available for use before the physical card arrives.
For the Costco shopper with a paid membership, the choice is clear: use the Costco Anywhere Visa Card for gas, dining, and travel to maximize returns, and keep a second general cash-back card with a sign-up bonus for everything else. For the non-member considering a membership just for the card, the math works only if your annual spending in the bonus categories exceeds the membership cost by a comfortable margin.