The Costco Citi Card gives you cash back on Costco purchases and gas, plus travel protections and purchase coverage

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is the only credit card Costco accepts for warehouse purchases (outside of their Costco Cash Card). It returns 2% cash back on Costco and gas station purchases, 1% on everything else, and includes benefits like travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and extended warranty protection. The card itself costs nothing — there is no annual fee — but you must be a Costco member to use it.

The cash back is straightforward: you earn it automatically on every purchase, and it posts to your account as a statement credit. The other benefits are less visible but matter if you travel, buy electronics, or rent cars. They are not automatic — you need to know they exist and what they cover.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn 2% cash back at Costco warehouses and gas stations, and 1% on all other purchases, with no annual fee.
  • Travel accident insurance covers you and your family if you die or are injured while traveling on a ticket purchased with the card, up to stated limits.
  • Purchase protection reimburses you for items damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase, and extends manufacturer warranties by one year.
  • Roadside information and rental car coverage are included, though rental car coverage does not explore to all vehicle types or rental companies.
  • Cash back is paid as a statement credit once per year, usually in January, and does not roll over if you close the account.

How the cash back works and when you receive it

Cash back accrues throughout the year and is paid as a single statement credit, typically in January. You do not choose when to receive it — Citi decides the payout date. If you close the account before the annual payout, you forfeit any cash back that has not yet been credited.

The 2% rate applies only at Costco warehouses and gas stations. Online purchases at Costco.com earn 1%. Restaurants, pharmacies, and other merchants earn 1% even if they are inside a Costco building. This distinction matters if you use the card outside the warehouse.

There is no cap on cash back earnings, and there is no minimum spending requirement. The card also earns cash back on Costco gift cards purchased at the warehouse, which some people use as a workaround to earn rewards on non-warehouse purchases.

Travel accident insurance and what it covers

Travel accident insurance pays a benefit if you or a family member dies or is permanently injured while traveling on a ticket purchased with the card. The coverage applies to commercial airlines, trains, buses, and ships. It does not cover personal vehicles, rental cars, or travel you did not pay for with the Citi card.

The benefit amount varies by type of injury. Death typically pays the highest amount; permanent loss of limbs or sight pays less. Family members covered include your spouse and dependent children, but you must be traveling on the same ticket or on tickets purchased at the same time. The exact limits depend on your card agreement — Citi publishes these in the benefits guide that comes with your card.

This coverage is secondary, meaning your personal insurance (life insurance, health insurance) pays first. Travel accident insurance fills gaps only after your primary coverage is exhausted. You do not need to register or take any action — coverage is automatic when you purchase the ticket with the card.

Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage

Purchase protection reimburses you if an item you bought with the card is damaged, destroyed, or stolen within 90 days of purchase. You must file a claim with Citi and provide proof of the loss (receipt, police report for theft, photos of damage). The reimbursement is limited to the purchase price, and there is a per-claim maximum and an annual maximum across all claims.

Extended warranty protection adds one year to the manufacturer's warranty on items purchased with the card. If the item breaks and the manufacturer's warranty has expired but the extended period has not, Citi covers the repair or replacement. This applies to most consumer goods but excludes items like vehicles, jewelry, and items with warranties longer than five years. You must register the item with Citi or provide proof of the original warranty to file a claim.

Both protections require you to file a claim within a set timeframe — usually 90 days from the loss or damage. Citi will ask for documentation: the original receipt, proof of purchase, and evidence of the damage or loss. Without this, the claim will be denied.

Rental car coverage and roadside information

Rental car coverage protects you if a rental car is damaged or stolen while you are renting it with the Citi card. It covers collision, theft, and vandalism. However, it does not explore to all rental companies or all vehicle types — luxury cars, trucks, and exotic vehicles are often excluded. You must decline the rental company's insurance to use the Citi card's coverage, and you must purchase the rental with the card itself.

The coverage is secondary to your personal auto insurance, so your own policy pays first. Citi covers the deductible and any costs your insurance does not. If you do not have auto insurance, Citi's coverage becomes primary, but this is rare and you should verify with Citi before renting.

Roadside information provides emergency services if your car breaks down while you are traveling. Services include towing, lockout information, fuel delivery, and jump starts. You call a dedicated number to request help, and Citi arranges the service. There is no cost to you at the time of service, though there may be limits on how far you can be towed or how many times per year you can use it.

Who is covered and what you need to do to use these benefits

Most benefits cover you, your spouse, and your dependent children if they are traveling with you or on the same ticket. Some benefits, like purchase protection, cover anyone who uses the card with your permission. Others, like travel accident insurance, only cover the cardholder and when ready family.

You do not need to register for most benefits — they are automatic when you use the card. However, some benefits require you to notify Citi within a certain timeframe. For example, if you are injured in a travel accident, you must report it to Citi within a set number of days to file a claim. If you lose luggage, you must file a claim within 90 days of the loss.

The best practice is to keep a copy of your benefits guide (available from Citi's website or by calling the number on the back of your card) and review it before you travel or make a large purchase. This way you know exactly what is covered, what the limits are, and what documentation you will need if you have to file a claim.

Limits, exclusions, and what the card does not cover

Every benefit has a per-claim limit and often an annual maximum. Purchase protection might cover up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per year. Travel accident insurance might pay up to $500,000 for death but only $250,000 for permanent disability. These limits are set by Citi and can change, so check your current benefits guide.

Common exclusions include high-value items (jewelry, art, collectibles), items used for business, and items purchased outside the United States. Travel accident insurance does not cover travel for work, travel you did not pay for with the card, or travel to countries under government travel warnings. Rental car coverage excludes commercial rentals and does not explore if you are renting for more than a set number of days.

The card also does not offer points, miles, or rewards that transfer to airline or hotel programs. Cash back is the only reward, and it is paid as a statement credit, not as points you can redeem for travel or merchandise.

How the Costco Citi Card compares to other premium cards

The main trade-off is simplicity versus flexibility. The Costco card has no annual fee and a straightforward cash back structure, but you can only use it at Costco and gas stations for the higher rate. Other premium cards charge $95 to $550 per year but offer higher cash back rates, points that transfer to travel partners, or category bonuses that explore everywhere.

If you spend most of your money at Costco and gas stations, the Costco card's 2% rate and zero annual fee make it hard to beat. If you travel frequently or want rewards on dining and hotels, a card with an annual fee and flexible points might be worth the cost. The decision depends on where you actually spend money, not on which card sounds better.

The travel and purchase protections on the Costco card are similar to those on other mid-tier cards. They are not as comprehensive as cards with $300+ annual fees, but they are more than you get from a basic card. If you already have another premium card with travel insurance, the Costco card's coverage is redundant — you would use whichever card's coverage is better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a Costco member to get the card?

Yes. You must have an active Costco membership to open the card and to use it at the warehouse. If your membership expires, you can still use the card outside Costco, but you cannot use it for warehouse purchases until you renew.

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

Any cash back that has not yet been paid as a statement credit is forfeited. Cash back is paid once per year, usually in January. If you close the account in November, you lose the cash back earned from January through November.

Does the card work at Costco.com?

Yes, but you earn 1% cash back on online purchases, not 2%. The 2% rate applies only to warehouse purchases and gas stations. This is a common reason people use a different card for online shopping.

Can I use the travel insurance if I buy a ticket for someone else?

No. Travel accident insurance covers you and your when ready family members who are traveling on the ticket. If you buy a ticket for a friend or colleague, they are not covered. The ticket must be purchased with your card, and the person traveling must be listed on the ticket.

How do I file a claim for purchase protection?

Contact Citi at the number on the back of your card and ask for the claims department. You will need to provide the original receipt, proof of purchase, and documentation of the damage or theft (photos, police report, repair estimate). Claims must be filed within 90 days of the loss.