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

The Costco Visa Anywhere Card is a rewards credit card issued by Visa and Costco that gives you cash back on purchases both inside and outside Costco warehouses. Unlike the Costco Anywhere Visa card that requires a Costco membership, this version has no membership requirement — you can use it at any retailer that accepts Visa. The main trade-off is that the cash back rates are lower outside Costco, and you lose the highest rewards tier entirely if you do not hold a Costco membership.

This card makes sense if you shop at Costco regularly but want a single card that works everywhere, or if you are not ready to commit to a Costco membership yet but want to test whether the rewards justify the cost. It does not make sense if you never shop at Costco, because other cards offer better cash back rates on groceries and everyday purchases.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns 2% cash back at Costco gas stations and warehouses, 1% at other retailers, with no annual fee.
  • Costco members can earn an extra 0.5% cash back at Costco locations, bringing the warehouse rate to 2.5%, but non-members are capped at 2%.
  • Cash back is paid as an annual Costco Shop Card that arrives in January, not as a statement credit or direct deposit.
  • You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid Social Security number and U.S. address to open the account.
  • The card has no foreign transaction fees, making it useful for travel outside the United States.

Cash back rates: what you earn at Costco versus everywhere else

At Costco warehouses and Costco gas stations, you earn 2% cash back on all purchases if you do not have a Costco membership. If you hold a Costco Gold Star or Executive membership, you earn 2.5% instead. Outside Costco — at grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations that are not Costco, and all other retailers — you earn 1% cash back on every dollar spent.

The 1% rate outside Costco is lower than what competing cards offer. For comparison, many grocery-focused cards earn 3% to 4% at supermarkets, and flat-rate cards earn 1.5% to 2% everywhere. The Costco card's value depends on how much of your spending happens inside Costco warehouses. If you spend $200 a month at Costco and $800 a month elsewhere, you are earning 2% on $200 and 1% on $800, which averages to 1.2% overall — below what a flat-rate card would give you.

How cash back is paid and when you receive it

Cash back does not appear as a statement credit or transfer to your bank account. Instead, Costco mails you a Costco Shop Card — a prepaid card loaded with your annual cash back balance — in January of each year. The Shop Card can only be used at Costco warehouses and gas stations, not at other retailers.

This matters because it forces you to spend the cash back at Costco rather than using it however you choose. If you do not shop at Costco regularly, the Shop Card may sit unused. Costco does not publish an expiration date for Shop Cards, but the company recommends using it within a reasonable time. If you lose the card or it is not used, contact Costco to request a replacement or balance inquiry.

Annual fee and other costs

The Costco Visa Anywhere Card has no annual fee, which is a significant advantage over many premium rewards cards. You pay nothing to hold the card, regardless of how much you use it or whether you maintain a Costco membership.

There are no foreign transaction fees, so you can use the card internationally without a currency conversion surcharge. This makes it a reasonable choice for travel. However, the card does not offer travel insurance, purchase protection, or extended warranty coverage — benefits that some premium cards include.

Costco membership and how it affects your rewards

You do not need a Costco membership to open or use the Costco Visa Anywhere Card. However, membership status directly affects your cash back rate at Costco locations. Non-members earn 2% at Costco warehouses and gas stations. Costco Gold Star members (the basic tier) and Executive members (the premium tier) earn 2.5%.

A Costco Gold Star membership costs around $60 per year, and an Executive membership costs around $120 per year — prices vary by region and change periodically. The extra 0.5% cash back at Costco only breaks even if you spend $12,000 per year at Costco ($12,000 × 0.5% = $60). If you spend less than that, the membership fee costs more than the extra rewards you earn. If you spend significantly more, the membership pays for itself and then generates additional savings.

How to open the account and what you need

You can explore for the Costco Visa Anywhere Card online through Costco's website or in person at a warehouse. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and employment information. You must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident with a valid Social Security number.

Visa will run a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. Approval decisions usually come within minutes for online applications. If you are approved, the physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can request a temporary digital card number to use when ready while you wait for the physical card.

How this card compares to other grocery and warehouse cards

The Costco card's main competitor is the Costco Anywhere Visa card for members, which requires a membership but offers the same 2.5% cash back at Costco and 1% elsewhere. If you already have a Costco membership, that card is strictly better because it has no membership requirement built into the card itself — you just need the membership you already pay for.

Outside the Costco ecosystem, cards like the Chase Freedom Flex earn 3% cash back at supermarkets (up to $1,500 per year, then 1%), and the Citi Custom Cash earns 5% on your highest category of spending up to $500 per month. These cards offer higher rates on groceries but do not reward Costco purchases as heavily. Your choice depends on whether Costco is your primary grocery and gas source or one of several places you shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Costco Visa Anywhere Card at retailers other than Costco?

Yes. The card works anywhere Visa is accepted — grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, online retailers, and all other merchants. You earn 1% cash back on these purchases. The higher 2% rate (or 2.5% with membership) only applies at Costco warehouses and Costco gas stations.

What happens if I do not use my Costco Shop Card before the next year?

Costco does not publish a specific expiration date for Shop Cards. The company recommends using the balance within a reasonable time. If your card is lost or damaged, contact Costco member services to request a replacement or check your balance. Unused balances do not roll over to the next year's Shop Card.

Does the card work internationally?

Yes, and there are no foreign transaction fees. You can use it at any Visa-accepting merchant outside the United States. However, the card does not offer travel insurance or other travel-specific protections that some premium cards include.

Is my credit score affected by opening this card?

Yes. Visa runs a hard credit inquiry when you explore, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. The impact usually fades within a few months. Opening the card also adds a new account to your credit history, which can lower your average account age slightly.

What if I am denied for the card?

Visa will provide a reason for denial, usually related to credit history, income, or existing debt. You can request a copy of your credit report from Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion to review for errors. If you were denied due to insufficient credit history, waiting a few months and reapplying may help, or you could explore secured credit cards to build history first.