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Make your travels even more rewarding

From trips to the gas station to trips around the world, you can earn on all your travels with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Cards by Citi. Enjoy no foreign transaction fees* anywhere Visa® is accepted and no annual fee* with your paid Costco membership.

Whether for work or play, there's a card for you

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

Earn cash back rewards anywhere on the things you buy everyday.

See Pricing and Information Below

TTY Use Relay Service

Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi

Reach your business goals and earn cash back along the way.

Commence your rewards journey

Map out a road trip.

Earn 4% on eligible gas and EV charging for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter and 3% at restaurants and eligible travel purchases.

Get More as an Executive Member

Earn 3% cash back rewards on Costco Travel purchases when you use the Costco Anywhere Visa® Cards by Citi in addition to your annual 2% cash back from your Executive Membership.

Explore with Ease

Enjoy no foreign transaction fees* with your Costco Anywhere Visa® Cards by Citi no matter where life takes you.

See what cardmembers are saying:

Rated 5 out of 5 Stars

"The 3% cash back on travel and 4% on gas are unbeatable!"

Ronzam, Costco Anywhere Visa® Cardmember

"I love my Costco Citi card when we dine out. Definitely for gas and great travel coverage and peace of mind when you book tickets for any travel with this card. Finally, superb customer service."

Busy B, Costco Anywhere Visa® Cardmember

"The cash back on this card is the best we have found for everyday purchases. We have tripled our annual cash back from our previous credit card thanks to the extra cash back on gas, Costco and travel."

DuHaas, Costco Anywhere Visa® Cardmember

Rated 4 out of 5 Stars

"Widely accepted everywhere I like cash back especially on gas and restaurants. Costco cash back adds up."

Jk, Costco Anywhere Visa® Cardmember

Earn cash back rewards anywhere on the things you buy every day.

¹Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi and Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi – Pricing Details

Costco anywhere visa card by citi.

The variable APR for purchases and balance transfers is 20.49%. For Citi Flex Plans subject to an APR, the variable APR is 20.49%. For Citi Flex Pay Plans subject to a Plan Fee, a monthly fee of up to 1.72% will apply, based on the Citi Flex Plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the Transaction, and other factors. The variable APR for cash advances is 29.99%. Variable penalty APR is up to 29.99% and applies if you pay late or your payment is returned. Minimum interest charge - $0.50. Fee for foreign purchases — None. Cash advance fee is either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance whichever is greater. Balance transfer fee is either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer whichever is greater. No annual fee with paid Costco membership. Subject to credit approval. Additional limitations, terms and conditions apply. New card members only. You will be given further information when you apply. Variable rates shown above are based on the 8.50% Prime Rate as of 08/01/2024.

Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi

The variable APR for purchases is 20.49%. For Citi Flex Plans subject to an APR, the variable APR is 20.49%. For Citi Flex Pay Plans subject to a Plan Fee, a monthly fee of up to 1.72% will apply, based on the Citi Flex Plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the Transaction, and other factors. The variable APR for cash advances is 29.99%. Variable penalty APR up to 29.99% and applies if you pay late or your payment is returned. Minimum interest charge - $0.50. Fee for foreign purchases - None. Cash advance fee - either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater. No annual fee with paid Costco membership. New cardmembers only. Subject to credit approval. Additional limitations, terms and conditions apply. You will be given further information when you apply. Variable rates shown above are based on the 8.50% Prime Rate as of 08/01/2024.

© 2023 Citibank, N.A. Citi and Citi with Arc Design are registered service marks of Citigroup Inc.

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Costco Anywhere Visa ® Card by Citi Terms & Conditions

This offer is valid for new accounts only. You must be at least 18 years of age (21 years of age in Puerto Rico). If you're married, you may apply for a separate account. The Card offer referenced in this communication is only available to individuals who reside in the United States and its territories. Your eligibility for a particular product and service is subject to a final determination by Citibank. This communication is not, and should not be construed as, an offer to individuals outside of the United States. Citibank, N.A., Sioux Falls, SD, ("Citi," "we" or "us" ) is the issuer of the account. Please allow 4 weeks from date of submission to process your Card Account application.

By submitting this application, you request that Citi establish a Costco Anywhere Visa ® Card by Citi account (the "Card Account") for you and any authorized users you designate. You agree that all information provided in this application must be verifiable and accurate. The Card Account is governed by the terms of the card agreement ("Card Agreement") provided when the Card Account is issued.

Costco Membership

The Card Account is only available if you have a current Costco membership in your name. We may cancel your Card Account and participation in the cash back rewards program if you do not maintain your Costco membership. You must maintain your Costco membership to redeem cash back rewards earned with the Card Account, unless prohibited by law. Each Authorized User must also have a Costco membership in their name.

Auto Bill of Costco Membership Fee

If you are not currently enrolled in auto renewal of your Costco Membership with Costco, you are the Primary Member on your Costco membership, your application is approved, and your card is activated, your Costco membership fee will automatically renew, and be charged to your Costco Anywhere Visa Card annually on the first day of your renewal month until you choose a different form of payment or cancel your Costco membership, and will qualify toward your annual credit card reward certificate. Membership fees will be charged based on your membership level ( $60/yr sixty dollars per year for Gold Star and Business Members, plus a $60/yr sixty dollars per year upgrade fee for Executive Members) and $60/yr sixty dollars per year for each Affiliate Business Member, if any, plus applicable taxes. If you wish to pay your Costco membership fee with a different form of payment or cancel your Costco membership, please visit the Costco Membership Counter or call Costco at 1-800-774-2678, at least 48 hours prior to the first day of your renewal month. Visit Costco.com for more information about Costco's membership terms. Costco membership fees are anticipated to increase by $5 for all membership levels effective September 1, 2024.

Identity Verification

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROCEDURES FOR OPENING A NEW ACCOUNT - To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. This means that we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you when you open an account. We may also ask to see your driver's license or other identifying documents; and obtain identification information about you or any Authorized User you add to your account.

Authorization for the Social Security Administration to Disclose Your Social Security Number Verification - You authorize the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify and disclose to Citibank, N.A. through Experian for the purpose of this transaction whether the name, Social Security Number (SSN) and date of birth you have submitted matches information in SSA records. Your consent is for a one-time validation within the next 90 days.

Communications

You agree that we and or our service providers may contact you at any phone number provided, email address, or mailing address. This includes communications to mobile or similar device. We may contact you by live person, auto dialer, recorded or artificial voice, text, or email for servicing, marketing information, or for decision for credit card application.

Credit Reports

You authorize us to get credit reports and other information about you from consumer reporting agencies and other sources, including information about your credit or deposit accounts with other financial institutions. This information may be used for such purposes as: determining whether to issue you a Card Account, administering, reviewing and renewing the Card Account, credit line increases or decreases, collection and other servicing of the Card Account, offering other products and services and for any other uses permitted by law. If you ask us, we'll tell you whether we requested a credit bureau report and the names and addresses of any credit bureaus that provided us with such reports. From time to time, we may report negative information about your Card Account behavior, like delinquencies, to consumer reporting agencies.

Credit Information

To receive a Card Account, you must meet our applicable criteria bearing on creditworthiness and any other of our eligibility criteria, which we determine in our sole discretion.

Your credit limit will be determined based on the following:

• Your annual salary and wages
• Any other annual income
• A review of your debt, including the debt listed on your credit report

We'll inform you of your credit limit when you receive your credit card. Some limits may be as low as $500. Please note that cash advances may be limited to a portion of your credit limit.

Card Agreement

If you are approved for a Card Account, you'll receive a Card Agreement before you can use your Card Account. The terms of the Card Agreement will take effect once you use your Card Account. Even if you do not use your Card Account, the Card Agreement will take effect if you do not cancel your Card Account within 30 days after we send you the Card Agreement. We have the right to make changes to the terms of your Card Account (including rates and fees) in accordance with the Card Agreement and applicable law.

Information Sharing

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING PRIVACY: You understand and agree that by submitting this application you are furnishing all information in this application to Citi and that Citi may use any information collected from you regarding you personally in accordance with Citi's Privacy Policy located online at www.citi.com/privacy. By applying for the Card Account, you agree to allow Costco to send membership information and spending information, such as your annual spending at Costco and various Costco transaction amounts over the past 12 months, to Citi. By completing this application, you also authorize Citi to share with Costco the information you provided to us on the application as well as experiential and transactional information regarding your activity with Citi.

Special Notices

Notice to Ohio Residents: The Ohio laws against discrimination require that all creditors make credit equally available to all creditworthy customers, and that credit reporting agencies maintain separate credit histories on each individual upon request. The Ohio Civil Rights Commission administers compliance with this law.

Notice to Wisconsin Residents: No marital property agreement, unilateral statement, or court decree adversely affects our rights, unless you give us a copy of such agreement, statement or court order before we grant you credit, or we have actual knowledge of its terms before your account is opened.

Important Information About Adding An Authorized User

Before adding an Authorized User to your Card Account you should know:

• You're responsible for all charges made or allowed to the Card Account by the Authorized User.
• Authorized Users have access to your Card Account information.
• Before adding an Authorized User, you must let him/her know that we may report Card Account performance to the credit reporting agencies in the Authorized User’s name.

If we ask for information about the Authorized User, you must obtain their permission to share their information with us and for us to share it as allowed by applicable law.

Balance Transfer Information

How to Make Balance Transfers

• After receiving your card, you can call the customer service number on the back of your card (For TTY: Use 711 or other Relay Service) to transfer balances. Balance transfers are made available at our discretion.
• If we give you the option to transfer a balance with your application, it will take at least 14 days after your Card Account is opened to process any balance transfer payments. During this time, you may cancel or modify your balance transfer request by calling the number on the back of your card (For TTY: Use 711 or other Relay Service).
• The total amount of your balance transfer plus balance transfer fees must be less than your available credit limit or any other limit we communicate. Be sure you don't transfer any disputed purchase or other charge amount because you may lose your dispute rights. You cannot transfer balances from other accounts issued by Citibank, N.A. or its affiliates. If you are unsure of the issuer on the account, please visit https://www.citi.com/affiliatesproducts for a list of Citi products and affiliates.
• Continue to make payments on your other accounts until you have confirmed this balance transfer has been received. Once approved, we'll pay the amount of the balance transfer directly to that issuer. The available credit limit for your new card will be reduced by the total amount of the transfers, including fees we approve.

Things You Should Know About Your Balance Transfer Offer:

If you transfer a balance with this offer, interest will be charged on purchases made with your Card Account unless your purchases have a 0% APR or you pay the New Balance shown on your statement (including the amount of your balance transfer) in full by the payment due date each billing period. If your New Balance includes a Citi Flex Plan, interest will be charged on purchases unless you pay the Adjusted New Balance shown on your statement, plus any Citi Flex Plan Payment Amount, by the due date each month or those purchases have a 0% APR.

Costco Cash Back Rewards Program Terms

Your Card Account will earn cash back rewards based on your purchases that can be redeemed for merchandise or cash back at any U.S. Costco warehouse, including Puerto Rico.

Earning Cash Back Rewards on Purchases: You'll earn cash back rewards for purchases using your Card Account, minus returns and refunds, as follows:

• Certain Non-Qualifying Purchases. You will only earn 1% cash back, not 4%, for gas or EV charging purchased at superstores, supermarkets, convenience stores and warehouse clubs other than Costco or for fuel used for non-automobile purposes.
• Certain Non-Qualifying Purchases. You will only earn 1%, not 3%, for purchases made at bakeries and certain restaurants/cafes inside department stores, grocery or warehouse clubs. Additionally, you will only earn 1%, not 3%, for purchases made at timeshares, campgrounds, bed & breakfasts and of train and commuter travel.
• 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com .
• 1% cash back on all other purchases, including the non-qualifying purchases listed above.

What doesn't qualify as a purchase? The following types of transactions don't qualify as purchases that earn cash back rewards:

• Use of checks that access your Card Account
• Balance transfers
• Cash advances
• Travelers checks, foreign currency purchases, money orders, wire transfers and similar cash-like transactions
• Lottery tickets, gaming chips and similar betting transactions
• Interest and account fees
• Unauthorized charges
• Items returned for credit

Merchant Classification for Rewards Categories: Merchants are assigned a merchant category code ("MCC"), which is determined in accordance with Visa procedures based on the kinds of products and services the merchants primarily sell. We don’t control the assignment of these codes and are not responsible for the codes used by merchants. When you use your card to make a purchase, we’re provided an MCC for that purchase. We group similar merchant codes into categories for purposes of making rewards offers. Sometimes you may expect a purchase to fit within a rewards category, but if the code assigned to the merchant wasn’t grouped into that category, as recognized by Citi, your purchase will not qualify for additional cash back rewards. For example, you won’t earn additional points for purchases at a restaurant located within a retailer if the restaurant is assigned a "retailer" code instead of a "restaurant" code. Please also note – purchases made through mobile/wireless technology may not earn additional cash back rewards depending on how the technology is set up to process the purchase. We reserve the exclusive right to determine which purchases qualify for additional cash back rewards.

Returns: Returned items may result in credits being applied to your Card Account which will reduce or may eliminate accumulated cash back rewards and may result in a negative cash rewards balance. If your Card Account has a negative cash back rewards balance, any newly earned cash back rewards will be used to offset such negative cash back rewards balance until such balance has been brought to zero.

Receiving & Redeeming Cash Back Rewards: Your reward is distributed annually once your February billing statement closes. Your reward is distributed in the form of a credit card reward certificate, unless your annual reward amount is greater than $10,000, in which case Citi and Costco reserve the right to distribute your reward in an alternative form (e.g., a check or electronic transfer), at Citi’s and/or Costco’s discretion. Credit card reward certificates are redeemable through December 31 of the year issued in a single transaction at any U.S. Costco warehouse, including in Puerto Rico, for merchandise or cash back. An alternative form for redemption other than within the warehouse may be provided at Citi and/ or Costco’s discretion. The credit card reward certificate, or alternative-form distribution, will contain your cash back rewards balance based on your eligible purchases during the annual reward period. The annual reward period is based on January through December billing statements. Should you choose to redeem only a portion of the certificate for merchandise, you will receive the remaining balance in cash or an alternative form (e.g. check or electronic transfer), at the Costco warehouse’s discretion. Requests to redeem the credit card reward certificate for cash may be fulfilled in an alternative form (e.g., a check or electronic transfer), at the Costco warehouse’s discretion. Your credit card reward certificate must be redeemed in person on or prior to its expiration date of December 31 in the year in which it is issued, unless an alternative form for redemption is provided (at Citi and/or Costco’s discretion). Any cash back rewards you have earned on purchases made by Authorized Users on your Card Account will be added to your cash back rewards total. Only you, the primary cardmember, are eligible to receive the annual credit card reward certificate; however, you or anyone you authorize may redeem the certificate as long as you or the authorized individual has a valid Costco membership. You will not receive a credit card reward certificate if your reward is less than $1 or your account is closed at the time your credit card reward certificate is scheduled to be sent. Any cash back rewards that had been accrued at that time will be forfeited, unless prohibited by law or otherwise indicated below. You must maintain your Costco Membership to redeem your credit card reward certificate, unless prohibited by law.

Account Closure: If we are notified of your death, earned cash back rewards will be distributed via check to the executor or administrator of your estate.

If we close your Card Account for any other reason, you will no longer be able to earn cash back rewards, and you will forfeit any cash back rewards accumulated, but not yet distributed, unless prohibited by law. If you close or convert your Card Account prior to receiving the credit card reward certificate in your February billing statement, any earned cash back rewards will be forfeited, unless prohibited by law.

Forfeiture: Any cash back rewards not redeemed by December 31 of the year of issuance of the credit card reward certificate will be forfeited.

Value of Cash Back Rewards: Cash back rewards have no cash value until such time as they are redeemed.

Property Rights: You have no property rights or other legal interests in cash back rewards. Cash back rewards may not be transferred to any other person including through such events as inheritance, bankruptcy or divorce. cash back rewards cannot be assigned or pledged.

Changes to Program Rules: We may make changes to the cash back rewards Program at any time, and if required by law, will provide notice. We will give you advanced written notice if we make any of the following changes: a change that negatively affects the number of cash back rewards you can earn, a change that negatively affects how/when you may lose your cash back rewards, a change that negatively affects how you can exercise your rights with respect to cash back rewards, or if we cancel the program.

Fraud, Misuse, Abuse or Suspicious Activity: If we see evidence of fraud, misuse, abuse, or suspicious activity, as determined by us in our sole discretion, we reserve the right to take action against you and your account. This may include, without limitation and without prior notice, any or all of the following:

• Taking away your accrued cash back rewards you earned because of fraud, misuse or abuse.
• Preventing you from earning cash back rewards.
• Suspending or closing your Card Account or cash back rewards account.
• Taking legal action to recover cash back rewards redeemed because of such activity and to recover our monetary losses, including litigation costs, and damages.

Examples of activities that may trigger such actions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Using your Card Account in an abusive manner for the primary purpose of acquiring cash back rewards.
• Using your Card Account other than primarily for personal, consumer or household purposes.

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Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi Review: Generous Cash Back Inside and Outside of Costco

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card offers 2% cash back on Costco purchases and bonus rewards on gas, travel and restaurants. It has no annual fee but does require a Costco membership.

Doug Milnes, CFA

Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets. Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.

Casie McCoskey

Content Editor

Casie McCoskey is a professional editor passionate about providing people with accessible information on personal finance. Before MoneyGeek, she worked in the legal field, drafting and editing briefs and motions.

Updated: August 11, 2024

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

MoneyGeek’s Take

• Card Overview
• Rewards Program
• Comparing Cards
• Best Card Pairings
• Is It Right for You?
• Methodology

MoneyGeek partners with leading industry experts and advertisers to help you get to your financial happy place. Our content is accurate when posted but offers may change over time. We may receive compensation for partner advertisements, but our editorial team independently reviews and ranks products. Learn more about our editorial policies .

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi provides consistent cash back to Costco loyalists, but its highest rewards can be found outside of the wholesale club — on gas, travel and dining. It doesn’t charge an annual fee but requires a Costco membership. Also, its reward redemption is less flexible compared to other cards. Nonetheless, if you’re already a Costco member and regularly shop there, this card is an excellent addition to your wallet.

• MoneyGeek's Take
• Pros & Cons
• Card Details

Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi Card Overview

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi caters to Costco members who want to maximize the cash back they get from their everyday purchases. Your Costco and Costco.com purchases earn unlimited 2% cash back, but true to its name, you can use the card anywhere. It offers 4% cash back on gas and EV charging (up to $7,000 annually) and unlimited 3% on travel and dining. All other purchases earn 1%.

This card doesn’t require an annual fee, but you do need a Costco membership — the cheapest is $60 per year. Unlike other cash back cards, the Costco Anywhere lacks a 0% intro APR period and welcome bonus. Its rewards can only be redeemed once a year and require you to go to a Costco store.

If you already pay for a Costco membership and frequently go there, it’s hard to find a card that can match the cash back you get from this card. However, if Costco is not part of your routine, consider other cards to find one that better fits your lifestyle.

>>MORE: MoneyGeek's Best Cash Back Credit Cards

Rewards program overview.

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi caters to Costco members who are looking to maximize their cash back on everyday spending. As its name suggests, you can use this card anywhere, as it rewards your Costco purchases and your regular spending outside of the superstore.

The card rewards users with an impressive 4% cash back on gas and EV charging purchases (up to $7,000 annually). Dining and travel expenses earn unlimited 3% back, while purchases at Costco and Costco.com earn 2%. All other purchases earn 1% cash back.

However, redeeming rewards with Costco Anywhere is somewhat restrictive. Cardholders receive their cash back annually as a credit card reward certificate after their February billing statement closes. These certificates can be redeemed for merchandise or cash at any U.S. Costco warehouse, including Puerto Rico, but they must be used in a single transaction by December 31 of the year they are issued.

Why You Might Want This Card

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi offers high cash back on categories that make up most of your everyday spending. Here's why it might be a smart choice for your wallet:

High Cash Back on Gas : The 4% cash back on gas and EV charging for the first $7,000 a year can lead to substantial savings. If you maximize the spending limit, that could mean $280 cash back per year.

It isn’t easy to find a card that can match this rate, with most gas cards offering 3% cash back. You can find cards that offer 5% cash back on fuel, but they come with quirks and aren’t as simple as what you get with the Costco Anywhere.

Rewards on Travel and Dining : Travel enthusiasts and foodies will appreciate the 3% cash back on travel and dining expenses. This cash back rate equals what you can get from travel cards that charge hundreds of dollars per year.

Cash Back on Costco Purchases : You earn 2% cash back on all purchases from Costco and Costco.com. Although you can find cards offering higher than 2% cash back on supermarket purchases, most exclude big-box stores like Costco. The unlimited 2% you get on Costco and Costco.com purchases exceeds the usual 1.5% cash back from flat-rate cards.

Why You Might Want a Different Card

While the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi has its perks, a few considerations might lead you to look elsewhere.

Costco Membership Required : Although Costco Anywhere has no annual fee, an active Costco membership is required. The cheapest is $60 per year. This requirement could be a deal-breaker for those who don’t want to pay a fee for their card. If you’re looking for cash back on groceries and want a no-annual-fee card (see Rates and Fees) the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express may be an alternative.

Limited Reward Redemption : Rewards can only be redeemed once a year and require you to get it physically at a Costco store. Most cash back cards allow you to redeem as a statement credit or cash anytime and online. The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers high cash back on grocery stores and dining while having user-friendly redemption options.

How the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi Compares

We compare the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi with similar cash back cards to help you determine whether it is the best card for your needs.

Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi vs. Blue Cash Everyday® Card From American Express

Blue Cash Everyday® is a no-annual-fee card that lets you earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. online retail and U.S. gas stations. However, there’s a $6,000 per year spending limit for each category, then 1% and Costco is excluded from the card’s 3% rate. Nonetheless, if you’re not a Costco member and want high rewards on groceries and fuel, the Blue Cash Everyday is a strong alternative.

Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi vs. Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards

With the SavorOne Cash Rewards , you earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment and grocery store purchases. Costco isn’t considered a “grocery store” for this card, and it doesn’t provide high cash back rates on gas. Still, if you spend heavily on food and entertainment and want a no-annual-fee card to earn rewards, consider the SavorOne.

Cards to Pair With the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi

You can maximize your rewards by finding a complementary card to pair with the cash back offered by the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, tailoring another card to the categories you spend the most in.

Citi Custom Cash®

Pairing the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi with a bonus cash back card like the Citi Custom Cash® Card can be a strategic move. The Citi Custom Cash® lets you earn 5% cash back on your top spending category each billing cycle (up to $500). With this, you can use the Costco Anywhere for your gas, travel, dining and Costco purchases, and the Citi Custom Cash® for categories that make up a big chunk of your budget, like home improvement, drugstores, streaming and more. Doing this ensures you get the best possible cash back on all purchases.

Is the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi Right for You?

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is a prime pick for Costco members who often fuel up, dine out or travel out of town. If you're already paying for a Costco membership and your spending aligns with the card's higher cash back categories, this card can offer substantial savings without you feeling its drawbacks.

Most cash back cards exclude superstores in their grocery categories, so the card’s 2% cash back on Costco is already competitive. Moreover, its 4% cash back on gas (up to $7,000 per year) and unlimited 3% on dining and travel are hard to beat.

However, if you’re not yet a Costco member and want a more conventional cash back card, consider looking at other cards.

If the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi does not fit the bill, visit our list of the best cash back credit cards to help you find a card that better fits your needs and lifestyle.

How We Evaluated the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi Card

Our evaluation of the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi involved a comparative analysis of 60 credit cards. We focused on key features that align with consumer spending habits and cardholder satisfaction, applying the following weights to determine the card's overall score:

• Effective Reward Rate: 50% (evaluated based on the effectiveness of the cash back rate)
• Offer ROI: 10% (assessed by the return on investment from introductory offers)
• Annual Fee: 10% (measured by the presence or absence of an annual fee)
• Issuer Satisfaction: 5% (determined by customer satisfaction with the issuer)
• Penalties: 5% (evaluated based on the cost of late payments and other penalties)
• Intro Purchase APR: 5% (assessed by the benefits of the introductory purchase APR)
• Recommended Credit: 5% (based on the credit score requirements for approval)
• Regular APR: 5% (measured by the cost of carrying a balance)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 5% (evaluated based on charges for transactions made abroad)

We carefully considered these factors to ensure the card's features align with the needs of consumers seeking high rewards on dining, entertainment and groceries.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card From American Express, please click here .

About Doug Milnes, CFA

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.

• Citi . " Citi Custom Cash® ." Accessed May 29, 2024 .
• Citi . " Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi ." Accessed May 29, 2024 .
• American Express . " Blue Cash Everyday® Card ." Accessed May 29, 2024 .
• Capital One . " SavorOne Rewards from Capital One ." Accessed May 29, 2024 .
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Credit cards > Reviews

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi review: Worthwhile for routine Costco shoppers

Stella Shon

Robin Saks Frankel

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 7:06 a.m. UTC Nov. 14, 2023

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Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy .

If you already pay for an annual Costco membership, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi * The information for the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is practically essential for households who love a good deal, especially since there’s no annual fee. Plus, the card offers an impressive rewards rate on eligible gas and EV charging purchases — even at non-Costco gas stations.

Why trust our credit card experts

Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of credit cards and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best card for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.

• 50+ cards analyzed.
• 8 data points considered.
• 5-step fact-checking process.

About the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi

If you frequent the membership-only warehouse store for groceries, household items and everything in-between, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi offers valuable cash-back rewards to use on future Costco purchases. There’s no annual fee to worry about as long as you pay for a Costco membership, which costs as little as $60 per year . When you shop in-store, your Costco Anywhere Visa Card doubles as your membership ID card. 

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card earns 4% cash back on gas and EV charging for the first $7,000 per year then 1%, 3% cash back on restaurants and travel purchases, 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com and 1% cash back on all other purchases. A Costco membership is required to apply.

If you have any international trips planned, the Costco Anywhere doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and can be used wherever a merchant accepts Visa.

There are a few caveats to note with this popular cash-back card. Your Costco rewards are only accessible once per year in February, so you may want to look elsewhere for a card that lets you redeem your cash back more frequently. Finally, you’ll want to be careful to pay off your full statement balance in a timely manner, as it has a 20.49% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. Balance transfers must be completed within two months from account opening and a fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies. 

Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi basics

• Annual fee: $0 (but a Costco membership is required to apply for the card).
• Welcome bonus: None.
• Rewards: 4% cash back on gas and EV charging for the first $7,000 per year then 1%, 3% cash back on restaurants and travel purchases, 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com and 1% cash back on all other purchases. A Costco membership is required to apply.
• APR: 20.49% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. Balance transfers must be completed within two months from account opening and a fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.
• Other perks and benefits: No foreign transaction fees.
• Does it report to all three credit bureaus? Yes.
• Does the issuer offer a pre-approval tool? No.
• Recommended credit score: Excellent.

Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi other details

Costco anywhere visa card by citi rewards.

The major benefit of the Costco Anywhere Visa Card is that it offers rewards on both Costco purchases and other life expenses. With this card you can earn 4% cash back on gas and EV charging for the first $7,000 per year then 1%, 3% cash back on restaurants and travel purchases, 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com and 1% cash back on all other purchases. A Costco membership is required to apply.

While you can earn a tremendous rewards rate on eligible gas and EV charging purchases, there are a few limitations to discuss. First, you can only the elevated rewards rate on the first $7,000 spent per year, and some gas stations at non-Costco superstores and grocery stores may not count towards the elevated rewards rate. If your household spends more than $583 on gas per month, you’ll only earn the lower rewards rate on gas and EV charging purchases after this spending threshold. 

It’s also worth noting that many credit cards offer strong rewards on groceries but tend to exclude warehouse stores like Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s. If you shop at Costco often, opening the Costco Anywhere Visa Card can be a great way to earn a solid rewards rate on all of your Costco purchases. 

Patience is a virtue with the Costco Anywhere Visa, as cardholders will receive a lump sum of their rewards earned once per year—specifically when your February billing statement closes. Rewards accrued from January through December’s billing statements are given in the form of an annual Costco credit card reward certificate and must be redeemed by December 31 of that same year.

Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi rewards potential

Using government data and other publicly available information, we estimate that a household in the U.S. that would be in the market for this card has an annual income of $84,352 and $25,087 in expenses they are likely to be able to charge to a credit card. We’ll also assume that this household spends half of its grocery spend at Costco. 

• $1,568 in spending on gas x 4% back = $62.72 in rewards.
• $2,375 in spending at restaurants x 3% back = $71.25 in rewards.
• $985 in spending on travel x 3% back = $29.55 in rewards. 
• $2,471 in spending on groceries at Costco x 2% back = $49.42.
• $17,688 in spending on all other eligible purchases = $176.88. 

This example cardholder can earn a grand total of $389.82 in rewards annually.

Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi pros

• No annual fee: As long as you have a Costco membership open, you won’t pay an annual fee if approved for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card.
• Good rewards rate: The card offers impressive rewards potential on popular bonus categories, including Costco purchases, gas, restaurants and travel.
• No foreign transaction fees: The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is accepted anywhere that accepts Visa worldwide, and comes with no foreign transaction fees.
• Card doubles as your membership ID: Forget your Costco ID at home? Don’t fret — you can show your Costco Anywhere Visa Card instead.

Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi cons

• You must keep your Costco membership open to keep the card (and rewards): If you decide to close your Costco membership, you’ll lose all of your hard-earned rewards — and the ability to keep the Costco Anywhere Visa Card active.
• Rewards expire: Cardholders will receive their cash-back rewards annually in February and must redeem their reward certificate in-person by the end of the year.
• No more extended warranty: The card no longer offers this useful benefit, which adds an additional 24 months on top of an eligible manufacturer’s warranty for up to a maximum of seven years of protection. 
• No sign-up bonus: There’s no introductory welcome offer on the card. 

How the Costco Anywhere Visa card compares to other rewards cards

Costco anywhere visa card vs. chase freedom unlimited®.

If you’d rather redeem your rewards throughout the year, the Chase Freedom Unlimited is another trusty cash-back card that may fit your needs better. Also with no annual fee, the card earns 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on eligible dining and drugstore purchases and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. 

The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers greater flexibility since you earn a higher rewards rate than the Costco Anywhere Visa on all other purchases. Plus, you can redeem your rewards on the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal at any amount. 

Currently, new cardholders can earn 1.5% back on everything bought in the first year on up to $20,000 in spending, which is worth up to $300.

Costco Anywhere Visa Card vs. Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi * The information for the Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.  

If you’re a restaurant owner, are self-employed or own any type of small business, you may want to consider the Costco Anywhere Visa Business card instead. It offers the same great benefits and rewards rates as the personal version, also with no annual fee. Costco’s Business membership starts at $60 per year. 

The Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card is also a solid option for keeping your personal and business finances separate. You can also add employees as authorized users for no additional cost, but they must have their own Costco membership to qualify. 

Costco Anywhere Visa Card vs. Citi Strata Premier℠ Card * The information for the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.  

The Citi Strata Premier Card can help you stretch your everyday expenses further and earn travel rewards. The card offers 10 ThankYou® points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com, 3 points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and EV charging stations and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. 

While there’s a $95 annual fee with the card, you have many valuable redemption options for your rewards. For maximum value, consider transferring your points to one of Citi’s travel loyalty partners. Plus, you can enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or greater (excluding taxes and fees) when you book through thankyou.com, once per calendar year — a move that can help you break even with the annual fee.

New applicants can also earn 75,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. 

Should you get the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi?

With more than 120 million members, Costco is among the most popular warehouse clubs in the world. If you’re a Costco loyalist, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card can help you maximize your purchases and save big on a future purchase, whether you’ve been eyeing a new TV or want to reduce your grocery cost.  

Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi summary

Methodology

Our credit card team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings.

Some of the factors evaluated in selecting the best rewards credit cards included:

• Rewards potential and redemption options.
• Welcome bonuses.
• Travel and shopping benefits.
• Intro APRs.
• Annual fees.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

You can use the Citi Costco Visa Card anywhere that accepts Visa cards — whether that’s at Costco, Costco.com or virtually any retailer that takes Visa.

Yes, Costco accepts all Visa cards — including the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi.

No, you must make your Citi Costco Anywhere Visa Card payments through your online Citi account. 

Citi, like most issuers, doesn’t specify an exact credit score requirement to be eligible for approval. However, for your best chances of approval, you’ll likely need a very good credit score, which FICO generally defines as 740* or higher.

Yes. You’ll be given a specific credit limit upon approval depending on your creditworthiness and other factors. 

*Blueprint credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.

*The information for the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi and Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Stella Shon is a freelance writer that connects the dots between personal finance and travel. Her work has appeared in The Points Guy, ValuePenguin and MoneyUnder30, and she's been interviewed by The New York Times, CNBC and more.

Robin Saks Frankel is a credit cards lead editor at USA TODAY Blueprint. Previously, she was a credit cards and personal finance deputy editor for Forbes Advisor. She has also covered credit cards and related content for other national web publications including NerdWallet, Bankrate and HerMoney. She's been featured as a personal finance expert in outlets including CNBC, Business Insider, CBS Marketplace, NASDAQ's Trade Talks and has appeared on or contributed to The New York Times, Fox News, CBS Radio, ABC Radio, NPR, International Business Times and NBC, ABC and CBS TV affiliates nationwide. She holds an M.S. in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University. Follow her on Twitter at @robinsaks.

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Costco Anywhere Visa Review: Bulked-Up Savings for Members

What’s on This Page

The bottom line, pros and cons, detailed review, benefits and perks, drawbacks and considerations, how to decide if it's right for you.

Costco loyalists can rack up some nice rewards with this card, but you'll only be able to redeem them once a year — and you'll have to go to a physical Costco store to do it.

Rewards rate

Bonus offer

Ongoing APR

APR: 20.49% Variable APR

Cash Advance APR: 29.99%, Variable

Penalty APR: Up to 29.99%, Variable

Balance transfer fee

Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.

Foreign transaction fee

• Discover one of Citi's best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
• 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
• 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
• 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
• 1% cash back on all other purchases
• No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases
• Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico

No annual fee

Bonus categories

No foreign transaction fees

Must be a Costco member

Limited redemptions

For a store card, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi carries plenty of goodies in its cart.

The card can indeed be used anywhere, not just at Costco, and it offers impressive rewards rates across a wide variety of categories. Its annual fee is $0 .

But there are a couple of economy-size caveats there: You have to be a Costco member to get the card (or to realize any benefit from it), and that does require a yearly membership fee. And while the card’s rewards rates are generous in some categories, they aren't particularly high for Costco purchases, and redemption isn’t straightforward.

» MORE: How to make the most of the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

Key features of the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

Card type: Store .

Annual fee: $0 for the card, but you have to be a Costco member. A baseline Gold Star membership costs $60 per year, while the higher-tier Executive membership is $120 per year.

4% cash back on gas and EV charging purchases (both at Costco and other gas stations) on up to $7,000 of spending a year, then 1% back.

3% cash back on restaurants and most travel purchases.

2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com.

1% cash back on all other purchases.

If you have the more expensive Executive membership, you can earn up to 4% back on eligible Costco purchases (2% back with the card, plus 2% back from the membership tier). The 2% from the membership tier is capped at $1,000 in rewards annually.

Sign-up bonus: None .

Intro APR offer: None.

Additional benefits: The card charges no foreign transaction fees. It also includes travel and emergency assistance and worldwide travel accident insurance.

Credit score requirements: According to the issuer, you'll need excellent credit to qualify for the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi . That's generally defined as a credit score of 720 or better.

» MORE: Benefits of the Citi Costco credit card

It really is an anywhere card

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is an "open-loop" store card, meaning you're not limited to using it only at Costco. In fact, in several cases, you're rewarded more handsomely for using it elsewhere.

Big gas rewards

For those who drive often, this card's rich gas rewards are a highlight. At 4% back on up to $7,000 in gas spending a year (and EV charging purchases, too), you could earn $280 annually just at the pump. And that's not including the 1% back you'd get on any gas purchases beyond that cap.

» MORE: Citi credit cards mobile app review

Rich rewards on dining and travel

The 3% cash back on dining and travel is unlimited. That's as good as the rate offered by some premium travel cards with annual fees in the hundreds of dollars.

Unlike many other cash-back credit cards, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi charges no extra fee on purchases abroad . If you travel internationally, you'll continue earning rewards without facing a 3% penalty on every purchase you make.

» MORE: Costco Visa vs. Sam's Club Mastercard: How they differ

Its richest reward rates are outside Costco

This is a card designed for people who are already shopping at Costco. So if you’re expecting huge incentives to spend money at the retailer itself — along the lines of the 5% discounts or rewards offered by cards from Amazon and Target — you’re going to be disappointed. You’ll get 2% back on purchases at Costco and Costco.com, but the signature appeal of this card is that it turns your other spending into rewards you can use at Costco.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best credit cards to use at Costco

It requires excellent credit for approval

Simply being a Costco member is not enough to qualify for the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi . Excellent credit is generally defined as a credit score of 720 or better. Keep in mind, though, that credit scores alone do not guarantee approval for any credit card.

» MORE: Full review of the Sam's Club credit card

No sign-up bonus

Costco's annual membership fee — $60 or $120 a year, depending on the type of membership — is a de facto annual fee for this card. Unlike many cash-back cards, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers no sign-up bonus to offset that cost.

» MORE: Review of the BJ's credit card

Redemption is restricted

While the card's rewards rates are high, the redemption process is peculiar. With most rewards credit cards, cardholders receive their cash back or points within a billing cycle or two and can redeem them once the rewards post to their account. With the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi , cardholders receive their rewards once a year in the form of a certificate included with their February billing statement. They have until the end of the year to bring the certificate to a Costco store and either get their rewards as cash or use them for credit against their purchases. (The certificate is not redeemable online. Although, in 2022 Costco added an option for cardmembers who have earned $500 or more in rewards. They could choose to redeem their rewards certificate as a direct deposit into a bank account.) At its own discretion, Costco may also fulfill redemptions in an alternative form like a check or electronic transfer instead of cash. If cardholders cancel their Costco membership before redeeming the certificate or don’t redeem before the Dec. 31 deadline, they lose those rewards. To recap: You'll have to wait months for your rewards, you might have to travel to a store to redeem them, and you'll be on the clock to do so. If any of these are dealbreakers, this isn't the card for you.

Alternatives to the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi : Other Visa cards

If the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi doesn't appeal to you but you still want a credit card to use at Costco, keep in mind that your choices are limited to cards on the Visa payment network. Costco accepts only Visa credit cards, along with cash, checks, debit cards, EBT and Costco Cash cards. Visa cards worth a look:

Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card : This card earns up to 2.5% cash back on the first $10,000 you spend per billing cycle. To apply for the card, you first must join Alliant Credit Union.

Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Card : You need a Fidelity account to reap the rewards on this card. It earns 2% back on every purchase, including at Costco. There's no annual fee.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® : This card pays 5% on travel booked through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores and 1.5% cash back on every other purchase and has a $0 annual fee.

For other options, see our list of best credit card offers .

Credit cards don't generally offer bonus rewards on wholesale clubs, so the 2% cash-back rewards at Costco and Costco.com on the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi can make the card worth getting for some Costco loyalists. The card's generous bonus categories for gas, travel, and dining out can sweeten the deal.

Information related to the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card and Target's REDcard products has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuers of these cards.

This is a Visa card, so you can use it at Costco, but it doesn't bother with a complicated tiered rewards structure and imposes no restrictions on redemption. You'll get 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, you can redeem rewards in any amount at any time. You even get a sign-up bonus offer and a 0% intro APR period. The annual fee is $0 .

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Frequently asked questions

Yes. The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi can be used anywhere that accepts Visa, not just at Costco.

There's no annual fee for the card, but you must be a Costco member to apply, and membership starts at $60 a year.

Yes. You must be a Costco member to get the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi . Since rewards are redeemable only at Costco, there wouldn't be much of a benefit for nonmembers to get the card.

You apply for the credit card separately from signing up for a membership. You don't get the card automatically for becoming a member, nor do you get free membership as a perk of the card.

You earn 4% cash back on gas purchases (at Costco as well as other gas stations) on up to $7,000 in gas spending per year (1% after that); 3% cash back on restaurants and most travel purchases; 2% back at Costco and Costco.com; and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

You have to go to a Costco store to claim your rewards, but you don't have to spend them there.

With the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi , you receive your rewards once a year through a certificate that comes with your February billing statement. (It will come by email if you’ve signed up for paperless statements.) You must bring the certificate to a Costco location before the end of the year, where you can redeem the rewards for Costco purchases — or for cash.

You must have excellent credit to get approved for the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi . That generally means a credit score of 720 or above.

If you want rewards that are more flexible than Costco rewards, see our top picks for best gas credit cards .

About the author

Kimberly Palmer

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Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi: Review

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Costco Anywhere Visa ® Card by Citi

20.49% Variable

The Costco Anywhere Visa ® Card by Citi is a great Citi’s cash-back rewards card designed specifically for Costco Members.

Card Snapshot

Welcome bonus & info.

• Discover one of Citi’s best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
• 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
• 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
• 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
• 1% cash back on all other purchases
• No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases
• Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico

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Our seasoned and experienced team brings years of expertise in the credit card and travel sectors. Committed to integrity, we offer data-driven guides to help you find the card(s) that best fit your requirements. See details on our intensive editorial policies and card rating methodologies .

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Great Card If

• You are a regular Costco shopper
• Your household spends a lot on gas

Don’t Get If

• You rarely shop at Costco
• You prefer a flat-rate, cash-back rewards card

Costco Anywhere Visa ® Card by Citi: Is It Worth It?

The Costco Anywhere card is excellent for frequent Costco shoppers, especially those with a large family to feed or high gas expenses each month. With it, you earn 4% back on gasoline and EV charging on your first $7,000 in spend per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% back on restaurants and eligible travel including Costco Travel, 2% back at Costco and Costco.com, and 1% back on all other purchases.

While you might overlook the 2% cash-back at Costco in lieu of other grocery credit cards with a higher cash-back rate, keep in mind that Costco usually does not code as a grocery store purchase on these cards. Additionally, only Visa-branded cards are eligible to be used at Costco, further limiting your card options for Costco fans.

Given that, if you love shopping at Costco to take advantage of its bulk pricing, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more well-rounded card for these purchases over the Costco Anywhere card, especially since it also offers bonuses on gas, dining, and travel.

Beyond rewards, the card also offers damage and theft protection, rental car insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and no annual fee with an active Costco membership.

Costco Anywhere Card Benefits

Travel and purchases protections.

• Damage and Theft Protection: Eligible purchases paid with your card include damage and theft protection up to 120 days of purchase (90 days for New York residents). The coverage per item is $1,000, and the coverage limit per calendar year is $50,000.
• Rental Car Insurance: This is secondary rental car insurance that covers up to $50,000 in accidental damage to your rental car.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use your card overseas without additional fees.

Best Ways To Earn and Redeem Your Cash-Back

The easiest way for you to rack up the cash-back with your Costco Anywhere card is to use it for as many purchases as you can, especially at Costco and on the other bonus categories of gas and EV charging, restaurants, and travel.

With the Costco Anywhere card, you don’t redeem your cash-back the same way as other cash-back cards you might be used to. Instead, your cash-back rewards are distributed once per year in February for the previous year, and you receive your cash-back rewards in the form of a credit card reward certificate, (unless your annual reward amount is greater than $10,000). Once you have your certificate, you can then redeem it at any Costco warehouse for cash or use it as a payment method for Costco purchases.

Alternatives to the Costco Anywhere Card

Wells fargo active cash ® card.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash card earns 2% cash rewards on purchases with no annual fee.

• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
• No annual fee
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter. Balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5. ( rates & fees )
• No bonus categories for those who want to optimize certain purchases
• Select “Learn More” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
• $0 annual fee.
• No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature ®  Concierge.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
• APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  3% of each transaction converted to U.S. dollars.

If you don’t want to deal with keeping track of bonus categories and prefer a simple card that earns rewards, the Wells Fargo Active Cash card is a solid option. The card earns an uncapped 2% cash rewards on all purchases and is a Visa card, so it can be used to pay for your Costco runs.

The card offers other great perks like up to $600 of cell phone protection, an auto rental collision damage waiver, and a $0 annual fee ( rates and fees ).

Plus, the card is also perfect for those who plan on making large purchases or transferring a balance, since the card offers a  0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter. ( rates and fees ).

Chase Freedom Unlimited ®

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

The Chase Freedom Unlimited ® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.

• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
• 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases
• 3% foreign transaction fee
• INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited ® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC
• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees:  3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Freedom Unlimited card is another great Visa card for those looking to maximize their cash-back, thanks to its bonus categories of 5% back on Chase Travel, 3% back on dining and at drugstores, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

Additionally, the card has purchase protection, rental car insurance, and no annual fee. It pairs well to pool your rewards together if you also hold a card like the Chase Freedom Flex℠, Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card, or Chase Sapphire Reserve ® .

The information regarding the Costco Anywhere Visa ® Card by Citi was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.  The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

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This bonus value is an estimated valuation  calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

Personal Finance

Costco anywhere visa card by citi review 2024.

Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we may earn a commission from our partners’ links. This content is created by TIME Stamped, under TIME’s direction and produced in accordance with TIME’s editorial guidelines and overseen by TIME’s editorial staff. Learn more about it .

While the card_name , from our partner, is geared to shoppers who spend a lot within the brand's warehouse stores, it's also considered one of the best credit cards for gas. This is mainly due to its incredible rewards structure that offers 4% back on up to $7,000 spent at gas stations and on EV charging stations each year (then 1% back), as well as 2% back at Costco stores and Costco.com.

Cardholders also earn 3% back at restaurants and on eligible travel purchases, followed by a flat 1% back on everything else. The card doesn't charge an annual fee or foreign transaction fees either, so you can keep for the long run at no cost if you never carry a balance.

That said, there are some "fine print" items you should know about with the card_name , including the fact you can only access the rewards you earn once per year. Before you sign up for the card_name , read on to learn everything there is to know.

Pros & Cons

Who should get it.

Due to its dynamic rewards structure and the fact you have to be a Costco member to use the card's rewards, the card_name is geared to people who shop at the warehouse stores and want to get the most from their purchases. That said, it's important to note that the card's 4% back category on gas and EV charging stations applies to all eligible gas stations worldwide and not just gas at Costco.

There are a few notable exceptions. For example, the fine print for the card says members will only earn 1% back on "gas purchased at superstores, supermarkets, convenience stores and warehouse clubs other than Costco or for fuel used for non-automobile purposes."

For the most part, these details make the card_name ideal for the following types of consumers:

• Heavy Costco shoppers who want to maximize rewards on their purchases.
• Consumers who are okay with redeeming their rewards for Costco merchandise.
• People who commute to work or pay to charge their electric cars on the go.
• Anyone who wants a rewards credit card with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

Costco membership

As we mentioned already, you must be a Costco member to apply for the card_name or even use the rewards you earn. However, most Costco shoppers would agree the price of entry is well worth it once you figure out which Costco food and household items you can use on a regular basis.

Not only does Costco offer a range of bulk grocery items, but you can head to the warehouse store to stock up on clothing, furniture, electronics, dishes and cookware, and all other kinds of gadgets.

The cost of membership is also reasonable. As of 2023, Costco offers the following membership tiers to choose from:

Important: Business owners who want to earn cash back on their business purchases at Costco should look into the card_name instead. This card has the same rewards structure as the card for consumers, yet it is geared to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Rewards structure

The card_name offers four different tiers of rewards consumers can maximize. After signing up, cardholders earn cash back at the following rates:

• 4% back on up to $7,000 per year in gas purchases worldwide and EV charging stations (then 1% back)
• 3% back on restaurant purchases and eligible travel
• 2% back on Costco and Costco.com purchases
• 1% back on everything else

With this rewards structure in mind, it's easy to see how you could rack up a ton of cash back on gas purchases, groceries at Costco stores, dining, travel and more. However, you should know about the very unique way the card_name doles out rewards before you sign up for this card.

Instead of letting you rack up cash back you can use throughout the year whenever you're ready, this card only gives you your cash back in the form of a rewards check once per year when your February statement closes. This means you can't save up your cash back to use at your leisure, and that you'll have to wait 12 months to be able to access your rewards haul each year.

Not only that, but rewards are only redeemable in Costco stores for Costco merchandise. You may be able to use your Costco rewards check to get cash back at a Costco register too, but the fine print on the card_name says individual Costco stores can allow this (or not allow it) based on their own discretion.

Additional hidden perks

The card_name doesn't have a lot of other benefits beyond the rewards it offers. In fact, the main listed card perk is the fact you can use your Costco credit card as your ID card to shop in stores.

The other major cardholder perk you get with the card_name is no foreign transaction fees. This benefit can be helpful if you travel internationally often and you don't want to pay extra fees to use your credit card when you do.

What could be improved?

While the card_name has an excellent rewards rate by any measure, there are a few notable downsides to be aware of. Improvements that could dramatically improve the value of this card include the following:

• The card doesn't have a sign-up bonus. Other cash back credit cards offer generous rewards plus a cash bonus of $200 or more, yet the card_name doesn't have a welcome offer of any kind.
• The card_name lacks an introductory APR offer. This card comes with a high interest rate that applies when you carry a balance, and the same APR applies to balance transfers.
• The earning rate for Costco purchases and other spending could be higher. Earning 2% back at Costco is just okay since other cards offer 2% cash back on everything you buy, and the 1% rewards rate on other purchases is seriously lacking.

How does the it compare?

With the downsides of this card at the top of your mind, you may be wondering how other cash back credit cards compare. Consider the following cards from other issuers and how they stack up to the card_name .

card_name vs. the Citi Double Cash® Card

Instead of offering several levels of rewards for different types of spending, the Citi Double Cash® Card offers 2% back on everything you buy — 1% when a purchase is made and another 1% when it's paid off. The card also comes with no annual fee, and consumers can redeem their rewards for a statement credit to their account, a check in the mail or direct deposit, among other options.

The Citi Double Cash® Card also comes with a balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration introductory balance transfer, followed by a reg_apr,reg_apr_type . This makes it a good option for people who need to consolidate high-interest debt from other cards. Just keep in mind that the intro APR offer does not apply to purchases. Also, the Citi Double Cash® Card charges foreign_transaction_fee in foreign transaction fees when you use it for purchases abroad.

Learn more from our full review .

card_name vs. card_name

The card_name also comes with no annual fee, and it offers its own unique rewards tiers consumers can maximize. New cardholders can start off with Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 4.5% back on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 3% on all other purchases.

While the card_name does have foreign transaction fees, it comes with a intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration and a balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration (followed by a reg_apr,reg_apr_type APR). Better yet, consumers have the option to redeem their rewards for cash back, gift cards, statement credits, travel, merchandise and more.

card_name vs. Citi Custom Cash® Card

Finally, it's also worth looking into the Citi Custom Cash® Card if you want to maximize cash back and have more flexibility. This card comes with no annual fee, and cardholders earn 5% back on up to $500 spent in their top spending category each billing cycle, then 1% back. Top spending categories that earn bonus cash with the card are easy ones to use since they include restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs and live entertainment.

A welcome offer worth $200 in bonus cash can also be earned when cardholders spend at least $1,500 on purchases within six months of account opening. All other purchases earn 1% back, and cardholders can redeem their rewards for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, travel, and more. The card also comes with a introductory puchase APR of 0% for 15 months and a introductory banlance transfer APR balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration , followed by a regular APR of reg_apr,reg_apr_type .

Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.

Worth considering if you’re a Costco shopper

At the end of the day, the card_name is worth considering if you're a Costco shopper or you've been planning to buy a membership. After all, this card will reward you handsomely each time you fill up on fuel, and you'll also earn 3% back on restaurant spending and travel and 2% back on all purchases you make with Costco.

You may even find that getting your rewards check once per year is not a big deal, and that you even look forward to it. After all, you can use your Costco rewards to stock up on anything the warehouse stores offer, including bulk groceries and household supplies, liquor and beer, and all kinds of other items you might want to splurge for.

At the very least, you could pick up the card_name to use for Costco shopping and gas then pair it with another card that offers more than 1% cash back on regular spending. There's no "right" or "wrong" way to earn credit card rewards, but smart planning can help you rack up more cash back for each purchase you make.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is costco changing credit cards again.

Costco credit cards used to be issued by American Express, but the two companies ended their partnership in 2016. As of today, Costco credit cards for personal and business use are issued by Citi instead.

What is a good credit score to get a Costco credit card?

The Costco credit card requires good or excellent credit, so having a credit score of 670 or higher gives you the best chance at approval.

How do I get my Costco 4% back?

The card_name lets you earn 4% back on the first $7,000 you spend on gas worldwide and EV charging each year, then 1% back.

The information presented here is created by TIME Stamped and overseen by TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About Us page .

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Why I Think The Citi Strata Premier Is The Most Underrated Travel Credit Card

Fact Checked

Published: Aug 16, 2024, 9:00am

Table of Contents

What is the citi strata premier card, what are some of the card benefits i like, how do i earn points with the citi strata premier card, best ways to use citi strata premier points, why is the citi strata premier card the most underrated credit card.

In 2024, Citi announced the Citi Premier® Card (no longer open to new applications) would be rebranded as the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card , a much awaited change for a card that was under the radar of most points and miles enthusiasts. In fact, when I asked my friends what they used for a credit card with travel perks, other cards from big banks popped up, but never the Citi Premier or Citi Strata Premier card. Citi is a Forbes Advisor partner.

I’m still a firm believer that as one of the lesser-known credit cards, the Citi Strata Premier is not getting the attention it deserves.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Up to 10X Reward Rate

Earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com, 3 points per dollar at Read More

Welcome Bonus

70,000 bonus points

Regular APR

21.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good

• High rewards rates for many popular categories
• Ability to transfer points to hotel and airline loyalty programs
• No foreign transaction fees
• Some built-in travel protections
• The $100 hotel benefit is difficult to redeem
• The highest earning rates are on Citi Travel bookings
• $95 annual fee
• Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
• Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

With the new Strata Premier card, Citi resuscitated some of the benefits that the original Premier card lost many years ago. For example, there’s a new suite of travel protections and insurances that make it stand up against some top competitors in the space.

The Strata also continues to include a strong points earning structure across multiple categories that cardholders will find useful.

Since the launch of the Citi Strata Premier, the card comes with some additional benefits that have been incredibly useful for me.

Hotel Credit

While flights get a lot of the attention in the travel rewards space, you’re going to spend the majority of your time at your destination in a hotel. If you book at least a $500 (excluding taxes and fees) single hotel stay through CitiTravel.com, you can get $100 removed instantly at time of booking.

Since the annual fee is only $95 you’ll easily make the fee back just by using this benefit each and every year.

Last summer we decided to head up to Buffalo, NY and check out some of the sights in the city and also head over to Niagara Falls. We stayed at the Reikart House in Buffalo and since the stay was $502, the $100 credit was applied automatically at checkout in the Citi Travel portal.

Seeing the falls was something I hadn’t done since I was a kid, so I kind of forgot how immense they were. It was a really great way to save some money on a stay, considering how expensive hotels near Niagara can be!

Travel Protections and Coverages

Citi removed many of its insurances back in 2019 so naturally, interest in the Citi Premier card waned and went under the radar for many years. Now, the Citi Strata Premier comes with trip cancellation and interruption protection, trip delay protection, lost or damaged luggage protection and car rental coverage via Mastercard. Terms apply, so make sure to check out the website for exact limits and coverages.

Last year I had one of my pieces of luggage damaged by the airline and fought for weeks to get a reimbursement. The airline tried to pass the blame to a different airline, the handling company, a third-party airport ground staff company and more. Finally I gave up and reached out to the insurance company provided by my credit card. I was reimbursed the $170 and had new luggage in a matter of days.

Since this benefit is once again back with the Citi Strata Premier, if you find yourself in this situation, you’ll be able to relax knowing you’re covered.

Photo by Jon Nickel-D’Andrea

Credit cards know no bounds when it comes to earning rewards and perks—you’ll find options from cash back to transferable currencies with various redemption opportunities. Stacking up to the best credit cards on the market, the Citi Strata Premier card earns rewards in the form of ThankYou® Points . Points can then be redeemed for travel, gift cards, cash back and more.

Citi Travel Portal

If you book any hotels, car rentals or attractions via the Citi Travel portal, you’ll earn 10 ThankYou Points per dollar, which is an excellent return for your travel purchases. Here, in my hometown of Seattle, the activities that you can book via the Citi Travel portal include whale watching tours, foodie tours and even a tree canopy zipline experience.

The portal has a wide variety of activities available, as well. You can find options in both domestic and international locations, including experiences like a sunset wine-tasting tour in Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina.

Plus, when you do finally take that trip abroad, you don’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees.

Grocery Stores

I spend a lot of money on food, and having this card in my back pocket to earn 3 points per dollar on anything I buy at supermarkets is a huge benefit. While some cards put a cap on supermarket purchases, like the American Express® Gold Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees ) or the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Terms apply, see rates & fees ), you won’t see a limit on your spend with the Citi Strata Premier.

Travel and Online Travel Agencies

While many credit cards offer bonus points for purchases on airlines and hotels, not many have the same bonus points for purchases made through online travel agencies like Expedia or Hotels.com.

Your purchases through these OTAs will snag the same 3 points per dollar, allowing you to earn bonus points even if you find yourself booking outside of the Citi Travel portal.

Other Bonus Categories

The elevated points-earning doesn’t stop there; top off your tank and earn 3 points per dollar at gas stations and EV charging stations. You can fill up your plate with 3 ThankYou points per dollar at restaurants, too. There’s no cap on the points earned in these categories either, so you can eat until your heart’s content.

Make sure to know all the ways that your card earns points and how you can maximize every benefit of those cards, especially for the busy summer travel season .

Find the Best Travel Credit Cards for 2024

Find the best travel credit card for your travel needs.

Earning points is only half the fun—the true excitement begins when you start dreaming of how to use them. I’ll tell you some of the ways that I love redeeming my Citi ThankYou Points and what I’ve gotten in return.

Transfer Partners

Like many credit cards, the points you earn with the Strata Premier will be transferable to a list of travel partners. With almost 20 options between airlines and hotels, there’s nearly no place on the planet you can’t reach.

For hotels, I like sending points to Choice Privileges Rewards , as 1,000 Citi ThankYou Points nets 2,000 Choice points. That means that you can redeem your points for hotels in the Preferred Hotels & Resorts program at a substantial discount.

Some amazing properties I’ve stayed at as part of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts program include the Farmhouse Inn in Sonoma County, California, the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. and the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, British Columbia.

The Watergate Hotel, with rates starting at 53,000 points and the Grand Hotel Victoria, with rates starting at 37,000 points, are both exceptional values. Since points transfer in at 2:1 ratio, you can get two nights for the points price of one. The Farmhouse Inn comes in at 75,000 points, but even then, with room rates topping $800 a night, only using 37,500 points for a free night provides an excellent value of more than 2 cents per point.

With airlines, Citi’s partnerships with Emirates and Etihad open up two of the world’s most exclusive first-class products. Other airlines like Qatar offer access to great business-class seats and domestic redemptions are possible with American Airlines and Alaska airlines via their Oneworld partnership.

Qatar offers business-class amenities in its Q Suite on long haul-flights to and from the United States. If you’re traveling with a partner you can even get a double bed to sleep together in the plane. On a recent flight back from Doha to Seattle, we were treated to a multicourse meal including a starter, a main, dessert and even a three course breakfast. All were plated on bone china with freshly baked bread and a wide variety of cocktails and wines.

The flight was a steal at 70,000 points, but flights can be hard to come by. Luckily, once you log in to the Qatar website, you can search for flights in the calendar view to get a view of multiple dates at once.

Travel Portal

If you’re not familiar with transfer partners or simply find them complicated, don’t worry. You can use your points directly in the Citi Travel portal to offset the cost of your trip. Since using your card at the bonus categories mentioned earlier helps to rack up points quickly, offsetting your travel expenses is a breeze.

It’s no surprise that the Citi Strata Premier is one of the less sought after credit cards in the market today, since its rebranding of the Citi Premier card. While there are many credit cards that earn points at supermarkets, restaurants, gas stations, charging stations and even some at online travel agencies, it’s rare to find one card that earns at all of those locations. I also love that there is no limit to the amount of points you can earn in its bonus categories.

The transfer partners that make a part of the Citi portfolio offer access to some of the most luxurious airlines and boutique hotels in the world, allowing you to take the trip of a lifetime faster and easier than before.

With the low annual fee, hotel credit, insurances, travel partners and points earning, you’ll be hard pressed to find all these benefits in another package.

Find The Best Credit Cards For 2024

No single credit card is the best option for every family, every purchase or every budget. We've picked the best credit cards in a way designed to be the most helpful to the widest variety of readers.

To view rates and fees for American Express® Gold Card please visit this page . To view rates and fees for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express please visit this page .

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For more than 10 years, Jon Nickel-D'Andrea has been a sought-after expert on how to travel the world using rewards points and miles. Jon has been featured in local and national publications and as a speaker at various seminars across the world. Combining his deep knowledge of credit cards, rewards programs, airlines and hotels with his unique style and sense of humor, Jon makes the complex web of these programs more fun and easy to understand. He lives in Seattle with his husband Ben and their 4-year-old beagle pup.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi Review 2024

Costco anywhere visa® card by citi.

Expert take: The standout Costco Citi Card rewards include market-leading rewards on gas and EV charging, making it one of the best gas credit cards on the market. Although you’ll need to be a Costco member and have excellent credit, you won’t face an additional annual fee for this credit card. Long-time shoppers will miss some of the previous Costco Citi Card benefits, like extended warranty, which were cut a few years ago. And the limited 1% cash back on most purchases puts this card behind many cash back cards offering at least 2% back on all purchases. 

• 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging for the first $7,000 in spending per year, then 1%
• Unlimited 3% back on restaurant purchases and eligible travel
• Worldwide car rental insurance, with primary coverage outside the United States
• Only available with a paid Costco membership
• Excellent credit score is recommended
• No extended warranty benefit
• Rewards are issued as a reward certificate once per year

Vault’s Viewpoint on the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers solid cash back rewards rates on gas purchases, EV charging, restaurants and travel. A Costco membership is required but you won’t face an additional annual fee to have this card in your wallet.

Within its featured bonus categories, the card offers some of the most generous cash back rates available, and you get 2% cash back on your purchases at Costco and on Costo.com. The upshot is that, if you’re a Costco member, the card should be in your wallet.

Although the Costco Citi Card benefits are numerous, the card isn’t without some quirks. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card has a credit score recommendation of excellent credit, and its cash back rewards aren’t as easy to use as other cards. That’s because, instead of statement credits or deposits into a linked bank account , your rewards are issued as a credit card reward certificate with your February billing statement. Once you receive your rewards certificate, you can only redeem it in-store at Costco for cash or Costco merchandise, which is hardly a seamless process.

Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi Highlights

Annual fee: $0 with a paid Costco membership (the base-level Gold Star Costco membership is $60 per year)

Sign-up bonus: None

Earning Rewards With the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi

The Costco Citi Card rewards spending on gas, EV charging, dining and travel. Here are the details:

• 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging on the first $7,000 spent per year, then 1%
• 3% back at restaurants and on eligible travel purchases
• 2% back on purchases at Costco and Costco.com
• 1% back on all other purchases

Redeeming Rewards

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card’s cash back rewards are distributed once annually as a reward certificate. If you’re a cardholder and a current Costco member, the Costco Citi Card reward certificate will come with your February statement.

Once you receive your credit card reward certificate, you must bring the certificate to a Costco store to redeem it. You can either redeem it at the cash register during checkout or at the customer service desk. If you redeem your reward certificate at checkout and your total purchase doesn’t exceed the value of your reward certificate, you’ll receive the balance of your certificate’s value as cash. If you redeem your rewards at customer service, you can receive the entire value of your reward certificate as cash. 

Rates and Fees

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi offers lower APRs than many other credit cards on the market. Here’s a look at the card’s fees and interest rates:

• Annual fee: $0 with a paid Costco membership
• Intro APR: None
• Regular APR: 20.49% variable
• Balance transfer fee: 5% (minimum $5) 
• Foreign purchase fees: None
• Late payment fee: Up to $41
• Penalty APR: Up to 29.99% variable 
• Cash advance fee: 5% (minimum $10)
• Cash advance APR: 29.99% variable

Benefits of the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi

Costco Citi Card benefits include the following. 

• Damage and theft purchase protection: If an eligible purchase you make with your card is damaged or stolen within 120 days (90 days for New York residents), damage and theft purchase protection can reimburse you for repairs or replacement (up to $1,000 per item and up to $50,000 per year)
• Travel accident insurance: With this perk, get up to $250,000 for certain injuries or death when traveling on a common carrier.
• Worldwide car rental insurance: This provides secondary insurance within the United States against damage to or theft of a rental car when you pay for rental with your card. Coverage is primary outside of the United States.

Citi Costco Card Drawbacks

While the Costco Citi Card’s value is apparent, there are some disadvantages to keep in mind.

• High credit score recommendation: This Costco card has an excellent credit score recommendation, which will disappoint some Costco loyalists.
• Cumbersome redemption process. Costco Citi Card rewards could add up quickly. But redeeming those rewards isn’t seamless. You’ll need to wait for your annual certificate and take it to a physical Costco location.
• Must be a Costco member. Only members of the popular warehouse chain can apply for the credit card.

Who Is the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi Best For?

The Costco Citi Card really only makes sense to own if you’re a Costco member, given it requires a Costco membership to apply and its redemption options are very limited.

If you’re a frequent Costco shopper, though, and value cash back rewards, rest assured you’re getting excellent rewards rates on eligible gas, EV charging, restaurant and travel purchases. In fact, the Costco Citi Card rewards rates beat those of most other no-annual-fee cards .

Who Should Consider an Alternative to the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi?

If you’re buying durable goods like electronics, computers, luggage or kitchen gadgets, you might want a Visa credit card with an extended warranty benefit. While Costco does offer extended warranty on select items for up to two years through Costco Concierge, far more of your purchases will be covered if you use a Visa credit card with an extended warranty benefit.

While the card offers 2% cash back at Costco and on Costco.com, the base rewards rate on general purchases isn’t great. When you make purchases outside the card’s bonus categories, you’ll only get 1% cash back. Having a card that earns 2% cash back everywhere can provide an alternative that doubles the rewards you earn on general purchases.

Finally, if you don’t have a Costco membership, you won’t be able to get the Costco Anywhere Visa Card. It’s also important to note that, if you cancel your Costco membership, your Costco Citi Card will also be canceled, and you’ll forfeit any rewards you haven’t redeemed. If you’re not a member or are thinking of canceling your Costco membership, you’ll want to pick up a different rewards card.

How Does the Costco Anywhere Visa Stack Up to Its Competitors?

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi offers excellent rewards in its bonus categories, but Costco members might want to consider a few other cards to round out their wallet’s cash back earnings and card benefits.

Costco Anywhere Visa Card vs. Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

If you buy your groceries at a traditional U.S. supermarket, consider adding the Blue Cash Preferred from American Express to your wallet. This card earns 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), with the cash back received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or on Amazon.com at checkout. While the Costco card can earn you 2% cash back on grocery purchases at Costco, you’ll only earn 1% back on grocery purchases outside of Costco.

For a $95 annual fee, after the first year’s $0 intro annual fee ( see rates and fees ), the Blue Cash Preferred also offers a suite of consumer insurance benefits. Its extended warranty* coverage adds an additional year onto original manufacturers’ warranties of five years or less, and return protection* will reimburse you within 90 days from the date of purchase up to a max if a seller doesn’t accept a return.

If you’re a Costco member, it makes sense to carry both cards in your wallet. Costco doesn’t accept Amex cards in stores or on Costco.com, so the Blue Cash Preferred should be thought of as a supplemental card.

Costco Anywhere Visa Card vs. Citi® Double Cash Card

The Citi Double Cash is the original 2% cash back credit card. This card earns up to 2% cash back on all purchases with no cap: 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay for it. 

Unlike the Costco card, you can redeem your cash back rewards whenever you want. And if you pair the Double Cash with the Citi Premier® Card, you can transfer your rewards to Citi travel partners for more value.

If you want to double the cash back you earn on purchases outside the Costco Citi Card’s bonus categories, the Citi Double Cash can offer you twice the cash back for no annual fee.

Costco Anywhere Visa Card vs. Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

The Costco Citi Card earns 2% cash back at Costco, but only a paltry 1% cash back on non-category purchases. If you want a Visa credit card that earns a flat 2% cash rewards and can be used at Costco, pick up the Wells Fargo Active Cash . The Active Cash earns an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, with no limit to the amount of cash back you can earn.

The no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Active Cash doesn’t come with many additional benefits, but it does offer cellphone protection. When you pay your monthly cellphone bill with the card, your cellphone is protected against damage or theft, up to $600 per claim and two claims per year. If you shatter your phone’s screen or someone steals your phone, you’ll only pay a $25 deductible to access your coverage. 

Is the Costco Anywhere Visa Card Worth It?

If you’re a Costco member and have great credit, it is absolutely worth it to pick up the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi. The Costco Citi Card benefits aren’t great, but the card’s rewards on gas purchases, EV charging, travel and dining are as good as what’s offered by the best cash back credit cards available. Since the card is available for no annual fee to Costco members, there is little downside to applying.

You probably won’t want the Costco Anywhere Visa to be the only card in your wallet, though. Augmenting the card with another that offers an extended warranty benefit or a flat 2% cash back is a good move for most people.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the benefit of costco citi cards.

The biggest benefit of the Costco Anywhere Visa Card is its cash back rewards. The card earns 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases (up to $7,000 in spending per year, then 1%), 3% back at restaurants and on eligible travel and 2% back at Costco (in-store and online).

Why Was I Not Approved for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card?

Simply having a Costco membership isn’t enough to be approved for the Costco Anywhere Visa. In addition to a Costco membership, Citi will consider your credit history, credit score, income, debt burden and other factors. If you’re denied for a Citi Costco credit card, you’ll receive a letter listing the high-level reasons for your denial.

Can I Keep the Costco Anywhere Visa Card Without a Membership?

If you cancel your Costco membership, your Costco Citi Card will also be canceled. Additionally, you’ll lose any rewards you’ve accumulated but not redeemed. Keep in mind you can only redeem your rewards after receiving your credit card reward certificate in February each year. If you’re thinking of canceling your Costco membership and have accumulated a substantial cache of rewards, you might want to consider keeping your membership active until you receive your reward certificate.

Newsweek writer Sarah Sharkey contributed to this post

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

The post Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi Review 2024 first appeared on Newsweek Vault .

Travel Rewards Credit Cards

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Citi ® / AAdvantage ® Platinum Select ® World Elite Mastercard ®

Bonus miles.

For a limited time, earn American Airlines AAdvantage ® bonus miles after $ in purchases within the first months of account opening.

2 times x | or 1 times x Miles

Earn 2 AAdvantage ® miles for every $1 spent at restaurants, gas stations, and eligible American Airlines purchases. 2

Earn 1 AAdvantage ® mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases. 2

Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible mile earned from purchases. 2

$0 Intro Annual Fee, after the first year. 1

• First checked bag free on American Airlines domestic itineraries 2
• No foreign transaction fees 1
• No limit on miles you can earn
• Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
• 25% savings when you use your card on American Airlines inflight food and beverage purchases

1 Important Pricing & Information +

2 Additional Information +

Citi Strata Premier ℠ Credit Card

Limited time bonus points.

For a limited time, earn bonus points after spending $ in the first months of account opening, redeemable for $ in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com. 2

10 times x | or 3 times x | or 1 times x ThankYou ® Points

Now an ongoing benefit! Earn a total of 10 ThankYou ® Points per $1 spent on Hotel, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com

Earn 3 times X ThankYou ® Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas Stations and – newly added! – EV Charging Stations.

Earn 1 ThankYou ® Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases.

$100 Annual Hotel Benefit

Enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, through CitiTravel.com, once per calendar year. Benefit applied instantly at the time of booking. 2

Citi ® / AAdvantage ® Executive World Elite Mastercard ®

Aadvantage ® bonus miles.

Earn American Airlines AAdvantage ® bonus miles after making $ in purchases within the first months of account opening. 2

4 times x Miles

Earn 4 AAdvantage ® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. 2

After you spend $150,000 in purchases with your American Airlines credit card in a calendar year, earn a total of 5 times X AAdvantage ® miles on eligible American Airlines purchases. 2

Admirals Club ® membership 2

• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ® application fee credit up to $100 every 4 years. 2

American Airlines AAdvantage ® MileUp ® Card

Earn 2 AAdvantage ® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services, and eligible American Airlines purchases. 2

No annual fee 1

• Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible mile earned from purchases 2
• Add Authorized Users and earn miles on their purchases

Citi ® / AAdvantage Business ™ World Elite Mastercard ®

Earn American Airlines AAdvantage ® bonus miles after $ in purchases within the first months of account opening. 2

+ Earn miles on employee purchases

Expand your earning potential with Authorized User cards for your employees and earn AAdvantage ® miles for purchases made on each card.

Earn 2 AAdvantage ® miles for every $1 spent at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants, at gas stations and eligible American Airlines purchases. 2

Each cardmember (primary and employees) earns 1 Loyalty Point for every $1 spent on their business card purchases. 2

$0 Intro Annual Fee, after the first year 1

• 25% savings on inflight food, beverage and Wi-Fi purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights