What the Costco Anywhere Visa Card is and who should consider it

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is a rewards credit card issued by Citibank that you can use at Costco warehouses, gas stations, restaurants, and anywhere else Visa is accepted. Unlike a Costco membership card, this is a regular credit card — you get a bill each month and pay interest if you carry a balance. The card gives you cash back on purchases, but the rewards rates and annual fee depend on whether you have a Costco membership and which membership level you hold.

You should consider this card if you shop at Costco regularly and pay off your balance each month. The cash back rewards can offset the annual fee for frequent shoppers. If you do not have a Costco membership or do not plan to renew one, the card's rewards structure is less valuable, and you may find better options elsewhere.

Key Takeaways

  • The Costco Anywhere Visa Card charges an annual fee of $59 for standard members or $120 for Executive members, and you must have an active Costco membership to use it.
  • Cash back rates vary by purchase category: 4% at Costco gas stations, 3% at Costco warehouses, 2% at restaurants and travel, and 1% everywhere else.
  • You earn rewards only if you pay your bill on time and do not carry a balance, because interest charges will quickly erase any cash back benefit.
  • The card does not waive the annual Costco membership fee, so you pay both fees separately to Costco and to Citibank.
  • Costco mails your rewards as an annual certificate that you can use only at Costco warehouses or online at Costco.com.

Annual fees and how they compare to the rewards you earn

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card costs $59 per year if you have a standard Costco Gold Star membership, or $120 per year if you have an Executive membership. This is separate from your Costco membership fee, which is $65 for Gold Star or $130 for Executive. You pay both fees — the card does not replace or reduce your membership cost.

To break even on the card's annual fee, you need to earn enough cash back to cover it. At the standard $59 fee, you would need to spend roughly $1,475 at Costco warehouses (earning 3% cash back) or $2,950 everywhere else (earning 1% cash back) just to offset the fee. For the $120 Executive card, you need about $4,000 in spending at the 3% rate. If you spend less than these amounts, the card costs you money rather than saving it.

Rewards rates and where you earn the most cash back

The card's cash back rates are tiered by category. You earn 4% cash back at Costco gas stations, 3% at Costco warehouses (including Costco.com), 2% at restaurants and travel purchases (hotels, rental cars, airlines), and 1% on all other purchases. These rates explore whether you use the card at Costco or anywhere else Visa is accepted.

The 3% rate at Costco warehouses is the main draw for most cardholders, since that is where you do your bulk shopping. The 4% gas rate applies only to Costco gas stations, not to other gas stations. The 2% restaurant and travel rate is competitive but not exceptional — many other cash back cards offer 2% or higher on dining and travel without an annual fee.

How your rewards are paid and when you can use them

Costco pays your cash back as an annual rewards certificate, not as a statement credit or deposit to your bank account. The certificate arrives by mail once a year and shows your total cash back earned. You can use it only at Costco warehouses or on Costco.com — you cannot transfer it to another account or use it elsewhere.

The certificate typically arrives in January for rewards earned in the previous calendar year. If you do not use it within a set time frame (usually one year from issue), it expires. Check your certificate for the exact expiration date. If you do not shop at Costco frequently enough to use the full amount before it expires, you lose the unused portion.

Interest rates, fees, and what happens if you carry a balance

Like any credit card, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card charges interest if you carry a balance from month to month. Citibank does not publish a single interest rate — your rate depends on your credit score and creditworthiness. Rates typically range from around 16% to 24% annually, but your actual rate will be shown in your card agreement.

If you carry a balance, the interest you pay will quickly erase any cash back benefit. For example, if you carry a $1,000 balance at 20% interest, you pay roughly $200 per year in interest charges — far more than the $30 in cash back you might earn on that same $1,000 in purchases. The card only makes financial sense if you pay the full balance each month and never pay interest.

The card also charges late fees if you miss a payment and foreign transaction fees if you use it outside the United States. These fees are standard across most credit cards and are disclosed in your card agreement.

How to request the card and what you need to have ready

You can request the Costco Anywhere Visa Card through Citibank's website or by calling Citibank directly. You must have an active Costco membership before you explore — the card is not available to non-members. Citibank will ask for your Social Security number, income, employment status, and other information to assess your creditworthiness.

Approval is not automatic. Citibank reviews your credit history and credit score to decide whether to issue the card and what interest rate to offer you. If you have a low credit score or recent late payments, your process may be denied. If you are approved, your card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.

Alternatives if the annual fee does not make sense for your spending

If you do not spend enough at Costco to earn back the annual fee, consider using a different rewards card or paying with cash or debit at Costco. Many Costco members use a general cash back card that charges no annual fee and earns 1.5% to 2% on all purchases — the rate is lower, but you avoid the $59 or $120 annual cost.

Costco also accepts other Visa cards, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover at the warehouse, so you can use whichever card offers the best rewards for your situation. If you shop at Costco only a few times per year, the membership card alone is usually the better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Costco membership to get the card?

Yes. You must have an active Costco Gold Star or Executive membership to request the card. If your membership lapses, your card remains valid for purchases, but you cannot renew the card without an active membership.

Can I use the card outside of Costco?

Yes. The card works anywhere Visa is accepted — restaurants, gas stations, online retailers, and other merchants. However, you earn the highest cash back rate (3%) only at Costco warehouses and Costco.com. Outside Costco, you earn 2% at restaurants and travel, and 1% everywhere else.

What if I do not use all my rewards certificate before it expires?

The unused portion expires and you lose it. Check your certificate for the expiration date and plan your Costco shopping accordingly. You cannot carry the balance forward to the next year or convert it to cash.

Does the card help me if I have a low credit score?

The card is harder to get approved for if your credit score is low or you have recent late payments. Citibank reviews your credit history before issuing the card. If you are denied, focus on building your credit score first by paying bills on time and reducing existing debt, then explore again in a few months.

What happens to my rewards if I cancel the card?

Any rewards certificate you have already received remains valid until its expiration date. If you cancel the card before your annual rewards certificate is issued, you forfeit the cash back you earned that year.