The Costco Anywhere Visa Card gives you cash back on Costco purchases and everyday spending

Costco offers two versions of its credit card, both issued by Visa and Citi: the Costco Anywhere Visa Card for general members and the Costco Anywhere Visa Card for American Express for Executive members. The main difference is the cash back rate and what you earn on. Both cards return a percentage of what you spend as an annual statement credit, paid once per year in December.

You do not need to be a Costco member to open the card, but you will need a Costco membership to use it at the warehouse. The card works at Costco locations, Costco.com, gas stations, restaurants, and for travel bookings. Cash back rates vary by category — Costco purchases earn the highest rate, while other categories earn less.

Key Takeaways

  • The standard Costco Anywhere Visa Card earns 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com, and 1% on all other purchases.
  • The Executive version earns higher rates: 2% at Costco, 2% on gas and restaurants, and 1% elsewhere.
  • Cash back is paid once per year as a statement credit in December, not monthly or on demand.
  • You must have a valid Costco membership to use the card at warehouse locations, though you can use it elsewhere without one.
  • There is an annual fee for the card, which varies by version and is charged to your account each year.

Cash Back Rates for the Standard Costco Anywhere Visa Card

The standard card earns 2% cash back on all Costco and Costco.com purchases, 1% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on all other purchases. The 2% rate applies to anything you buy inside a Costco warehouse or through their website, including groceries, gas, pharmacy items, and everything else sold there.

The 1% rate covers everyday spending outside Costco: groceries at other stores, drugstores, restaurants, utilities, and any other purchase. There are no bonus categories beyond Costco itself, no rotating categories, and no caps on how much you can earn. You earn the same rate whether you spend $100 or $10,000 in a year.

Cash Back Rates for the Executive Costco Visa Card

The Executive version is designed for people with higher Costco spending and costs more per year. It earns 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on all other purchases. The extra 1% on gas and restaurants means you earn more on categories where many people spend regularly.

Whether the Executive card makes sense depends on your spending. If you spend heavily at Costco, eat out often, or buy a lot of gas, the higher rates may offset the higher annual fee. If you rarely use those categories, the standard card is usually the better choice. Costco's website has a calculator to help you compare based on your typical spending.

When Your Cash Back Arrives and How to Use It

Cash back is not paid monthly or on demand. Instead, Costco calculates your total cash back for the year and sends it to you as a statement credit in December. The credit appears on your December billing statement and reduces the amount you owe that month. You cannot transfer it to another account, use it outside Costco, or convert it to cash.

If you close your card before December, you forfeit any cash back earned that year. If you want to keep earning rewards, you need to keep the card open through the end of the year. Some cardholders set a reminder in November to check their expected cash back amount before the December statement arrives.

Annual Fee and When It Is Charged

Both versions of the Costco Anywhere Visa Card charge an annual fee. The standard card has a lower annual fee than the Executive version. The fee is charged to your account each year on your card anniversary — the month you opened the card — not on a calendar year basis.

You are responsible for paying this fee even if you do not use the card. If you decide the card is not worth it, you can close it at any time, but you will still owe the annual fee for the year it was charged. Contact Citi directly to cancel the card if you no longer want it.

Using Your Card Outside the United States

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card works internationally because it is a Visa card. You can use it at merchants and ATMs outside the United States. Visa charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made in other currencies, which is a percentage of the amount spent. This fee is separate from your cash back and is added to your bill.

If you travel frequently or make international purchases, check Citi's current foreign transaction fee before relying on this card abroad. Some other cards have no foreign transaction fee, which may be a better choice if you spend a lot outside the country. Cash back earned on international purchases is still paid the same way — as a December statement credit.

How to Open a Costco Credit Card

You can open a Costco Anywhere Visa Card online through Costco.com, by phone, or in person at a Costco warehouse. Online is usually the fastest — you fill out the process, Citi reviews it, and you get a decision within minutes in most cases. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and income information.

If you are approved, your card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can start using it at Costco locations and online as soon as it arrives. If you are denied, Citi will tell you why and you can contact them to discuss your options or reapply later if your situation changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Costco credit card without a Costco membership?

You can use the card at gas stations, restaurants, and other merchants outside Costco without a membership. However, you cannot use it inside a Costco warehouse or on Costco.com without an active membership. If you want the main benefit — the 2% cash back on Costco purchases — you need both the card and a membership.

What happens to my cash back if I close my card before December?

You lose any cash back earned that year. Costco only pays out the annual statement credit in December, so if you close the card in June, you forfeit the cash back from January through June. If you are thinking about closing your card, wait until after your December statement arrives to keep the year's rewards.

Does the Costco card have a sign-up bonus?

Costco does not currently offer a sign-up bonus for opening the card. You start earning cash back on your first purchase. Some other credit cards offer cash back or points just for opening an account, but the Costco card does not have this feature.

Can I earn cash back on Costco gift cards?

Yes. When you buy a Costco gift card with your Costco credit card, you earn the 2% cash back rate. The gift card itself does not earn cash back when someone else uses it — only the purchase of the card earns the reward.

Is there a limit to how much cash back I can earn?

No. There is no annual cap on cash back. You earn the same percentage rate on every dollar you spend, no matter how much that is. Some credit cards limit rewards after you hit a spending threshold, but the Costco card does not.