What the Costco Anywhere Visa Card is and who issues it

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card is a rewards credit card issued by Citi that you can use both inside and outside Costco warehouses. Unlike Costco's older cash-back card, which only worked at Costco locations, this card functions as a standard Visa everywhere Visa is accepted — at grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and online retailers.

You do not need a Costco membership to carry the card, but you do need one to shop at Costco and redeem your rewards. The card itself is free — there is no annual fee. Your rewards come back as an annual statement credit, not points you redeem one at a time.

Key Takeaways

  • The Costco Anywhere Visa earns 4% cash back at Costco gas stations, 3% at Costco warehouses and on travel, and 1% everywhere else.
  • Rewards are paid once per year as a statement credit, not accumulated in a points account you can spend anytime.
  • You must have a Costco membership to use the card at Costco locations and to receive your annual rewards.
  • The card has no annual fee, but Citi may deny you if you have opened too many credit cards in a short time or have recent late payments.

How the cash-back rates work at different places

The card pays different percentages depending on where you use it. At Costco gas stations, you earn 4% cash back. At Costco warehouses (on anything you buy inside the building), you earn 3% cash back. On travel purchases — airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and some travel booking sites — you earn 3% cash back. Everywhere else, you earn 1% cash back.

The 4% rate at Costco gas stations applies only to Costco-branded gas pumps. If you buy gas at a Shell, Chevron, or other independent station, you earn only 1%. The 3% rate at the warehouse covers groceries, pharmacy purchases, and anything else sold inside the building, but it does not extend to Costco.com purchases — those earn 1%.

When and how you receive your rewards

Unlike most credit cards, which let you redeem points or cash back whenever you want, the Costco Anywhere Visa pays your rewards once per year as a statement credit. Citi calculates your total cash back from the previous 12 months and applies it to your account automatically, usually in the month after your card anniversary.

You cannot cash out your rewards, transfer them to another account, or use them to pay someone else. The credit appears on your statement and reduces the balance you owe. If you close the card before your anniversary, you forfeit any rewards you have not yet received.

What you need to know before you explore

Citi will run a hard inquiry on your credit report, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily. You will need a Social Security number and a current address. Citi typically approves or denies applications within minutes, though some applications go to manual review and take a few days.

If you have opened more than one credit card in the past three months, or if you have a late payment in the past two years, Citi is more likely to deny you. Having a credit score below 670 also makes approval less likely, though Citi does not publish exact score requirements. If you are denied, you can call the reconsideration line and ask Citi to review your process again, but the outcome rarely changes without new information.

How the card compares to other warehouse and grocery rewards cards

The Costco Anywhere Visa is the only rewards card that works at Costco warehouses and earns cash back there. If you do not have a Costco membership or do not shop there, other cards may suit you better. The Chase Freedom Unlimited, for example, earns 1.5% cash back everywhere with no annual fee, which beats the Costco card's 1% outside Costco.

For grocery shopping outside Costco, cards like the American Express Blue Cash Preferred earn 3% cash back at supermarkets (up to $150 per quarter, then 1%), but they charge a $95 annual fee. The Costco card has no annual fee, so the choice depends on whether you shop at Costco enough to make the higher rates worth it. If you spend $2,000 per year at Costco warehouses, the 3% rate earns you $60 in cash back — enough to justify carrying the card even if you use it nowhere else.

What happens if you close your Costco membership

You can keep the Costco Anywhere Visa even if you cancel your Costco membership. The card will continue to work everywhere Visa is accepted, and you will still earn 1% cash back on all purchases. However, you will not be able to use the card at Costco warehouses or gas stations, and you will not receive your annual rewards statement credit unless you renew your membership before your card anniversary.

If you want to use the card at Costco again later, you can rejoin Costco and the card will work when ready. There is no waiting period or reactivation process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this card if I do not have a Costco membership?

You can carry the card and use it anywhere Visa is accepted, earning 1% cash back. However, you cannot use it inside Costco warehouses or at Costco gas stations, and you will not receive your annual rewards statement credit. The card is most useful if you have an active membership.

What if I want to redeem my rewards before the year is up?

You cannot. Rewards are paid once per year as a statement credit only. If you need to redeem cash back more frequently, consider a different card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or American Express Blue Cash Preferred, which let you redeem anytime.

Does the card work at Costco.com?

Yes, but it earns only 1% cash back on Costco.com purchases, not the 3% you earn inside the warehouse. Warehouse purchases and online purchases are treated separately for rewards purposes.

What should I do if my process is denied?

Call Citi's reconsideration line within 30 days of the denial. Have your Social Security number and recent income information ready. The team can sometimes approve you after hearing more about your financial situation, though approval is not may provide.

Do I earn rewards on Costco membership fees?

No. Membership fees are not may be able to access for cash back. Only purchases of products and services inside the warehouse or at the gas station earn rewards.