The Citi Visa Card for Costco is a co-branded card that gives you rewards on Costco purchases and gas

The Citi Visa Card for Costco is issued by Citibank and works only at Costco warehouses and Costco.com. You earn cash back on purchases — the rate depends on what you buy. You also get an extended warranty on may be able to access items and roadside information if you break down near a Costco gas station.

This card is different from a regular Costco membership. You need a Costco membership to shop there, and you need this card to earn the rewards that come with it. If you do not have a membership, you cannot use this card at Costco, even if you have been approved for it.

The card has an annual fee. Citibank charges this fee once per year, usually on your card anniversary. There is no sign-up bonus — you start earning cash back on your first purchase.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn 2% cash back on Costco purchases and gas at Costco, 1% on other purchases, and 3% on dining and travel.
  • The card requires an active Costco membership to use, and both have separate annual fees.
  • Cash back posts to your Costco account as a certificate you can use in-warehouse or online, not as a statement credit.
  • The card includes extended warranty coverage and roadside information, but these are limited to specific situations.
  • You can request a second cardholder on the same account, and they earn rewards on their purchases too.

Reward rates and how cash back works

The cash back structure is tiered by purchase type. You earn 2% on all Costco warehouse and Costco.com purchases, 2% on gas purchased at Costco, and 1% on all other purchases made with the card outside Costco. Dining and travel purchases earn 3% cash back.

Cash back does not appear as a credit on your monthly bill. Instead, Citibank deposits it into your Costco account as a Costco Cash certificate. You can use this certificate to pay for purchases in the warehouse or online. The certificate expires after one year, so you need to spend it or lose it.

If you return an item you bought with the card, the cash back you earned on that purchase is reversed. The refund goes back to your card as a regular refund, not as cash back.

Annual fee and membership costs

Citibank charges an annual fee for this card. The amount varies depending on which version of the card you hold — there is a standard version and a higher-tier version with additional benefits. You pay this fee once per year on your card anniversary, regardless of how much you spend.

This fee is separate from your Costco membership fee. You must pay both to shop at Costco and earn rewards. If you cancel the card, the annual fee is not refunded, even if you cancel within the first month.

Some cardholders find the annual fee worth it if they shop at Costco regularly and use the gas station. Others do not. Calculate your own spending: if you spend less than a certain amount per year at Costco, the cash back may not cover the fee.

What the extended warranty and roadside information cover

The card includes an extended warranty on may be able to access items purchased with the card. This means if an item breaks after the manufacturer's warranty ends, the card's warranty may cover the repair or replacement. The coverage period and what counts as may be able to access varies — electronics are typically covered, but not all items are.

You must register the item with Citibank to use this benefit, usually through their website or app. If you do not register, you lose the coverage. The process takes a few minutes per item.

The card also offers roadside information if you break down near a Costco gas station. This is not the same as roadside information from your car insurance. It covers towing to the nearest Costco gas station only, not to a mechanic of your choice. You call a specific number on the back of your card to request it.

How to request a second cardholder

You can add a second person to your account as an authorized user. They get their own card with their name on it and can make purchases anywhere the card is accepted. Any purchases they make earn cash back that goes into your Costco account, not theirs.

To add an authorized user, call the number on the back of your card or log into your online account. Citibank will ask for the person's name and date of birth. There is no additional fee for an authorized user, but they can spend as much as they want on the card — you are responsible for all charges.

If you want to remove an authorized user, you can do so through your online account or by calling customer service. The card is deactivated when ready, but the account itself stays open.

When you cannot use this card at Costco

This card works only at Costco warehouses and Costco.com. You cannot use it at Costco gas stations to pay for fuel — you must use it at the pump or inside the station, and it works like any other Visa card there. You cannot use it at other retailers, even if they sell Costco products.

If your card is lost or stolen, call the number on the back when ready. Citibank will cancel it and send you a replacement, usually within 5 to 7 business days. You are not responsible for fraudulent charges made after you report the card missing.

If you close your Costco membership, your card becomes inactive. You can still use it outside Costco, but you cannot use it at Costco anymore. If you rejoin Costco later, you can reactivate the card by calling Citibank.

How to check your cash back balance and use your certificate

Your Costco Cash certificate balance appears in your Costco account online or in the Costco app. You can also ask a cashier at the warehouse to check it for you. The balance updates within a few days of your purchase posting to the card.

To use your certificate, tell the cashier at checkout that you want to pay with Costco Cash. They will scan or enter the certificate number, and the amount will be deducted from your total. Online, you can enter the certificate number at checkout the same way you would enter a gift card number.

If your certificate is about to expire, Costco will send you a notice. You have until the expiration date to use it. After that date, the balance is gone and cannot be recovered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Costco membership to get this card?

Yes. You must have an active Costco membership to use the card at the warehouse. If your membership expires, the card stops working at Costco until you renew. You can still use the card outside Costco like a regular Visa.

Can I use this card at other stores?

Yes, but you only earn 1% cash back on non-Costco purchases. You earn the higher rates only at Costco and on dining and travel. The card works anywhere Visa is accepted.

What happens to my cash back if I close my account?

Any unused Costco Cash certificate is forfeited when you close the account. Cash back that has already posted to your Costco account stays there as long as your membership is active. If you close both the card and your membership, you lose any remaining balance.

Can I transfer my cash back to another card or get it as a statement credit?

No. Cash back only comes as a Costco Cash certificate that you can spend at Costco. You cannot convert it to cash, transfer it to another card, or use it anywhere else.

How long does it take to earn cash back after I make a purchase?

Cash back posts to your Costco account once your purchase clears on the card, usually within 3 to 5 business days. It may take longer if you made the purchase online or if there is a dispute with the transaction.