What the Costco Visa Anywhere Card is and who can get it

The Costco Visa Anywhere Card is a rewards credit card issued by Visa and Costco that you can use anywhere Visa is accepted — not just at Costco. Unlike Costco's warehouse membership card, this is a separate credit card that earns cash back on purchases. You do not need to be a Costco member to hold it, though most cardholders are.

Costco offers this card through Citi, the bank that handles the account, processes payments, and sets the credit requirements. You can request one online through Costco's website, by phone, or in a warehouse. Citi will review your credit history and income to decide whether to approve you. There is no annual fee.

The card comes in two versions: the regular Costco Visa Anywhere Card and the Costco Visa Anywhere Card for American Express members (which offers slightly different rewards). This guide covers the standard version.

Key Takeaways

  • The Costco Visa Anywhere Card earns 4% cash back at Costco gas stations, 3% at Costco warehouses, 2% on travel and dining, and 1% everywhere else.
  • There is no annual fee, and cash back is paid as an annual reward certificate you can use at Costco or redeem for a statement credit.
  • You can use this card anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Costco, which makes it useful for everyday spending outside the warehouse.
  • Approval depends on your credit score and income, and Citi may deny you if your credit history shows missed payments or high debt.
  • The card's main value comes from the 3% and 4% rewards at Costco, so the benefit is largest if you shop there regularly.

How the cash back rewards work

The card earns cash back at different rates depending on where you spend. At Costco gas stations you earn 4% cash back, at Costco warehouses (including Costco.com) you earn 3%, on travel and dining you earn 2%, and on all other purchases you earn 1%. The cash back is not paid monthly or when ready — instead, Costco calculates your total rewards once a year and sends you a certificate.

That certificate arrives by mail, usually in February, and shows the dollar amount you earned. You can use it to pay for anything at Costco — groceries, gas, merchandise, or a membership renewal. If you prefer not to shop at Costco, you can also redeem the certificate for a statement credit on your Citi account, which reduces your balance owed. The certificate does not expire, so you can hold it if you want to use it later.

There is no cap on how much cash back you can earn, and there are no bonus categories beyond the four listed above. Purchases at other gas stations, restaurants, or retailers earn only 1% back.

How to request the card and what happens next

You can request the Costco Visa Anywhere Card online at Costco's website, by calling the number on the back of your Costco membership card, or by visiting a warehouse and asking at the membership desk. Online is usually fastest. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and current address so Citi can check your credit.

Citi will make a decision within a few minutes to a few days. If you are approved, the card ships to your address and usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it online or by phone once it arrives. If you are denied, Citi will send you a letter explaining the reason — typically a low credit score, recent missed payments, or high existing debt.

If you are denied, you can request reconsideration by calling Citi directly, though the outcome rarely changes without a significant change in your credit situation. You can also wait several months, work on paying down debt or fixing errors on your credit report, and request again later.

When this card makes financial sense

The Costco Visa Anywhere Card saves you the most money if you shop at Costco regularly and spend enough to earn meaningful rewards. If you spend $3,000 a year at Costco, the 3% cash back means you earn $90 in rewards. If you spend $10,000 a year, you earn $300. The 4% at gas stations adds up quickly if you fill up there often.

Outside Costco, the 1% cash back is modest compared to other rewards cards, so this card is not a strong choice for everyday spending at grocery stores, restaurants, or online retailers. If you want a card that earns high rewards everywhere, you would be better served by a different card. The Costco card's strength is the warehouse and gas rewards, not the general-purpose rewards.

The lack of an annual fee means there is no cost to holding the card even if you use it rarely, so you lose nothing by requesting one if you already shop at Costco. The main decision is whether the 3% and 4% rewards are worth using this card instead of another card you already have.

Credit score and approval factors

Citi does not publish a minimum credit score for approval, but most cardholders have a score of 670 or higher. If your score is below 650, approval is unlikely. Citi also looks at how much debt you already carry, whether you have missed payments in the past two years, and how long you have had credit accounts open.

A recent hard inquiry from another credit card request, a recent missed payment, or a very high credit card balance can lower your chances of approval. If you were denied, waiting three to six months and paying down debt or correcting errors on your credit report can improve your odds on a second request.

Citi may also consider your income and employment, though income alone does not may provide approval if your credit history is poor. If you are self-employed or have variable income, have documentation ready (like recent tax returns) in case Citi asks.

How this card compares to other warehouse cards

Costco also offers a version of this card for American Express members, which earns 4% at Costco warehouses instead of 3%, but American Express is accepted at fewer places outside Costco. If you shop only at Costco and do not need to use the card elsewhere, the American Express version may earn you slightly more. If you want flexibility to use the card at any retailer, the Visa version is more practical.

Sam's Club offers a rewards card through Synchrony that earns 5% cash back at Sam's Club and 1% elsewhere, with a $110 annual fee. If you spend enough at Sam's Club to earn more than $110 in rewards, that card may be worth the fee. Warehouse membership and card choice often depend on which store is closer to you and where you shop most.

What to know about using the card responsibly

Like any credit card, the Costco Visa Anywhere Card charges interest on balances you do not pay in full each month. The interest rate (called the APR) varies based on your credit score and current market rates, but typically ranges from 16% to 24%. If you carry a balance, the interest charges will quickly exceed any cash back you earn.

To avoid interest, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. If you can only afford to pay part of the balance, the cash back rewards become much less valuable because interest will cost you more than you earn back. The card is most useful if you pay it off completely each month and use it to earn rewards on spending you would do anyway.

You also have the option to set up automatic payments so the full balance is paid on the due date, which removes the risk of forgetting and incurring interest charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Costco membership to get this card?

No. You can request the Costco Visa Anywhere Card without a membership. However, you will not be able to earn the 3% and 4% rewards at Costco unless you have a membership and can enter the warehouse. If you do not shop at Costco, the card's main benefit disappears and you are left with 1% cash back everywhere, which is not competitive.

Can I use this card at stores other than Costco?

Yes. Because it is a Visa card, you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted — grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, online retailers, and more. You will earn 1% cash back on those purchases unless they fall into the 2% travel and dining category. The card is not limited to Costco.

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

Any rewards you have already earned will be paid out as a certificate or statement credit. If you close the card before the annual rewards period ends, you will not earn rewards for the rest of that year. You can request the card again later if you change your mind.

How does the annual rewards certificate work if I do not have a Costco membership?

If you do not have a membership, you cannot enter a Costco warehouse to use the certificate. You can redeem it for a statement credit on your Citi account instead, which reduces your card balance. This is another reason the card is most valuable if you shop at Costco regularly.

What is the difference between this card and a regular Costco membership card?

The membership card is required to shop at Costco and does not earn rewards. The Costco Visa Anywhere Card is a credit card that earns cash back rewards and can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. You can have both — the membership card gets you into the warehouse, and the credit card earns you rewards on your purchases there.