What the Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card does

The Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card is a rewards card issued by Citi that earns cash back on purchases made at Costco and gas stations, plus a lower rate on other spending. You use it like any business credit card — to pay for inventory, supplies, fuel, or other business expenses — and the card deposits cash rewards into your account periodically. There is an annual membership fee, separate from your Costco warehouse membership.

The card is designed for business owners and self-employed people who shop at Costco regularly. You do not need to be a Costco member to hold the card, but you will need a membership to shop there. The card works at Costco warehouses, Costco.com, and gas stations worldwide.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns 4% cash back at Costco warehouses and Costco.com, 3% at gas stations, and 1% on all other purchases.
  • You pay an annual fee to hold the card, which Citi charges separately from your Costco warehouse membership cost.
  • Cash rewards are deposited as a statement credit or check, usually once per year, though the timing depends on your account anniversary date.
  • You must have a business tax ID or Social Security number to open the account, and Citi will run a credit check.
  • The card can be used by authorized users you add to the account, each of whom receives their own card.

Earning rates and how rewards are paid

The card earns 4% cash back on all purchases at Costco warehouses and on Costco.com. At gas stations — including Costco gas — you earn 3% cash back. On all other purchases, you earn 1% cash back. There is no cap on how much cash back you can earn.

Cash rewards are paid out once per year as a statement credit or check, depending on what you choose when you set up the account. The payout happens around your account anniversary date. If you close the account before the anniversary, you forfeit any unearned rewards.

The card does not offer bonus categories beyond these four, and it does not earn points toward Costco purchases or other loyalty programs. The cash back is the only reward structure.

Annual fee and other costs

The Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card charges an annual fee. This fee is separate from your Costco warehouse membership fee — you pay both if you want to use the card and shop at the warehouse. The annual fee is charged to your card statement each year on your account anniversary date.

There is no foreign transaction fee, so you can use the card outside the United States without extra charges. There are no other regular fees for purchases, balance transfers, or cash advances, though cash advances do incur interest when ready (there is no grace period for cash advances on any credit card).

Who can open this card and what you need

You must have a business to open the Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card. This includes sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and self-employed individuals. Citi will ask for your business tax ID (EIN) or your Social Security number if you are self-employed.

You will need to provide basic business information: your business name, address, and the nature of your business. Citi will run a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. You must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident.

If you are approved, the card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can add authorized users to the account, and each person receives their own card with the same rewards rate.

How to open an account

You can open the Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card online through Citi's website or by calling Citi's business card phone line. Online applications usually take 10 to 15 minutes and ask for your business details, Social Security number or EIN, and income information.

After you submit the process, Citi will either approve you when ready, ask for more information, or deny the process. If approved, you can set up your online account access right away and track your process status. The card ships to the address you provide on the process.

Once you receive the card, you set up it through Citi's website or app, or by calling the number on the back of the card. You can then use it at Costco, gas stations, and anywhere Visa is accepted.

Using the card at Costco and online

At Costco warehouses, you present the card at checkout like any other payment method. The 4% cash back is earned automatically on all purchases, including gas at the pump. You do not need to enroll in any program or set up the rewards — they post to your account as you spend.

On Costco.com, you can use the card to pay for online orders and earn the same 4% cash back. The card is linked to your Costco.com account, so you can save it as a payment method for faster checkout on future orders.

The card works at any Costco warehouse worldwide, so if you travel internationally and shop at a Costco location, you still earn 4% cash back. You do not earn rewards on Costco membership fees or gift card purchases.

Comparing this card to other business options

If you shop at Costco frequently and spend on gas, the 4% and 3% rates are competitive. However, if you spend most of your business money outside Costco — on office supplies, software, travel, or dining — the 1% rate on other purchases is lower than many business cards offer. Some business cards earn 2% flat on all purchases or 3% in specific categories like travel or dining.

The annual fee means you need to spend enough to earn back that cost in cash rewards. If you spend $5,000 per year at Costco, you earn $200 in cash back at the 4% rate. Whether that covers the annual fee depends on what Citi charges in a given year.

If you do not have a Costco membership or do not shop there regularly, this card is not a good fit. A general business card with flat 2% cash back or category bonuses in areas where you actually spend may serve you better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Costco membership to get this card?

No, you can hold the card without a membership. However, you cannot shop at Costco warehouses without a membership, so most cardholders have both. The card and membership are separate purchases with separate annual fees.

Can I use this card outside of Costco?

Yes. The card works anywhere Visa is accepted. You earn 1% cash back on non-Costco, non-gas purchases. There is no foreign transaction fee, so you can use it internationally.

How often do I get my cash back?

Cash rewards are paid once per year, around your account anniversary date. You choose whether to receive it as a statement credit or a check when you open the account. You can change this preference later through your online account.

What happens if I close the card before my anniversary?

Any cash back you have earned but not yet received is forfeited when you close the account. The annual fee is not refunded if you close the card partway through the year.

Can I add employees to this card?

Yes. You can add authorized users, and each person receives their own card. All authorized users earn the same cash back rates, and all spending counts toward your account rewards. You are responsible for all charges made on authorized user cards.