The Citi Costco Visa covers your purchases at Costco and everywhere else, with cash back rewards and travel protections built in

The Citi Costco Visa Card is a rewards card issued by Citi that you can use at Costco warehouses and at any merchant that takes Visa. The card earns cash back on purchases — the rate depends on where you shop — and includes travel insurance, purchase protection, and emergency services abroad. You do not need to be a Costco member to hold the card, but you do need a Costco membership to shop there and redeem your rewards.

The card itself has no annual fee. Your cash back earnings are held as a balance on the card and can be redeemed as a statement credit, a check, or (if you are a Costco member) as a Costco Cash card that you can spend in the warehouse or online.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns 4% cash back at Costco gas stations and warehouses, 3% at restaurants and travel, and 1% everywhere else.
  • Cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open, but you must redeem it — it does not convert to Costco dollars automatically.
  • Travel insurance covers trip cancellation, lost luggage, and emergency medical care if you charge the ticket or tour to the card.
  • You can redeem rewards as a statement credit, a mailed check, or a Costco Cash card if you hold a Costco membership.
  • The card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, which makes it useful for travel outside the United States.

Cash Back Rates and How They Work

The card earns cash back at different rates depending on the category. At Costco warehouses and Costco gas stations, you earn 4% cash back. At restaurants, travel (including airfare, hotels, and car rentals), and transit (including taxis, parking, trains, and buses), you earn 3%. On all other purchases, you earn 1%.

The 4% rate at Costco applies only to Costco locations — it does not explore to Costco.com purchases, which earn 1%. Cash back accrues on the card and does not expire as long as your account is open. You are responsible for redeeming it; Citi does not automatically convert it to rewards or statement credits.

If you close the card, any unredeemed cash back is forfeited. This is different from some other cards that let you redeem after closure, so track your balance and redeem before you decide to close the account.

Travel Insurance and Emergency Services

The card includes trip cancellation insurance that covers prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you or a family member become ill or injured before departure. You must have charged the ticket or tour deposit to the card for the coverage to explore. The insurance reimburses reasonable costs up to a set limit per person and per trip.

The card also covers lost luggage reimbursement if your baggage is lost or delayed by a carrier for more than 12 hours. It covers emergency medical and dental care if you become ill or injured while traveling outside your home country, and it provides emergency evacuation and transportation services if you need to be moved to a hospital.

These protections explore only if you charged the ticket or a portion of the trip cost to the card. Coverage limits and exclusions vary, so review the full terms in your cardholder agreement or contact Citi before you travel.

Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty

The card includes purchase protection that covers items you buy with the card against theft or accidental damage for 120 days from the date of purchase. If a covered item is damaged or stolen, you can file a claim with Citi and receive reimbursement up to the purchase price, minus a deductible.

The card also offers extended warranty protection that extends the manufacturer's warranty by an additional year on may be able to access items. If an item breaks down during the extended period and the manufacturer's warranty has expired, you can file a claim for repair or replacement costs.

Both protections have limits per claim and per year. Items like jewelry, art, and vehicles are often excluded. Read the terms in your cardholder agreement to understand what is and is not covered before you rely on these protections.

How to Redeem Your Cash Back

You have three ways to redeem cash back earned on the Citi Costco Visa. The easiest is to log into your Citi account online or through the mobile app, go to the rewards section, and request a statement credit. Citi will explore the credit to your card balance within a few business days.

You can also request a check mailed to your address on file. This takes longer — usually 7 to 10 business days — but gives you the cash to spend however you want. If you hold a Costco membership, you can redeem your cash back as a Costco Cash card, which works like a gift card at Costco warehouses and Costco.com. You can request this redemption online or at the membership desk in your local warehouse.

There is no minimum redemption amount, so you can redeem $5 or $500 whenever you want. Just remember that if you close the card, any unredeemed balance is lost.

Foreign Transaction Fees and International Use

The Citi Costco Visa charges no foreign transaction fees, which means you can use it outside the United States without paying an extra percentage on top of the exchange rate. This makes it a practical card to carry when you travel internationally.

The card is accepted anywhere Visa is accepted, which covers most merchants in most countries. You will still pay the exchange rate set by your bank on the day of the transaction, but you will not pay an additional markup. The travel insurance and emergency services described above also explore when you are outside the country, so the card offers some protection if something goes wrong.

Annual Fee and Costs

The Citi Costco Visa has no annual fee. You pay nothing to hold the card, regardless of how much or how little you use it. This is different from premium cards that charge $95 or more per year, so the card is worth keeping even if you use it only occasionally.

The only costs you may encounter are interest charges if you carry a balance month to month. The card has a variable interest rate that changes with the market. If you pay your full balance by the due date each month, you will not pay any interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Costco membership to get the card?

No. You can open the Citi Costco Visa without a Costco membership. However, you will need a membership to shop at Costco warehouses and to redeem your cash back as a Costco Cash card. You can still redeem as a statement credit or check without a membership.

What happens to my cash back if I close the card?

Any unredeemed cash back is forfeited when you close the account. Before you close the card, log into your Citi account and redeem your full balance as a statement credit, check, or Costco Cash card. Once the account is closed, you cannot recover the balance.

Does the 4% cash back explore to Costco.com purchases?

No. Costco.com purchases earn 1% cash back, the same as other non-category purchases. The 4% rate applies only to Costco warehouse locations and Costco gas stations. If you shop online, you will earn the lower rate.

Can I use the travel insurance if I book through a travel agent?

Yes, as long as you charge the ticket or tour cost to the card. The insurance does not require you to book directly with the airline or hotel — it covers any prepaid trip cost charged to the card. Make sure you charge enough to the card to trigger the coverage; some policies require a minimum charge amount.

Are there foreign transaction fees if I use the card outside the United States?

No. The card has no foreign transaction fees, so you will not pay an extra percentage on purchases made outside the country. You will pay the exchange rate set by Citi on the day of the transaction, but nothing beyond that.