The Costco Visa gives you rewards on purchases and protection on travel and purchases
The Costco Visa Card is issued by Citi and available only to Costco members. It earns cash back on everyday purchases, offers travel protections, and includes purchase protections that explore whether you shop at Costco or elsewhere. The card does not charge an annual fee, though you must maintain an active Costco membership to hold it.
The rewards structure is straightforward: you earn a percentage of cash back on most purchases, with a higher rate at Costco and Costco.com. The card also includes travel accident insurance, emergency medical and dental coverage abroad, and purchase protection against damage or theft within a set window after you buy.
Key Takeaways
- The Costco Visa earns cash back on all purchases, with higher rates at Costco locations and on gas and travel.
- Travel accident insurance covers you and when ready family members on trips paid with the card, up to a stated limit per person.
- Purchase protection covers items bought with the card against accidental damage or theft for up to 120 days from the purchase date.
- Emergency medical and dental coverage applies only to trips outside the United States and only when the card paid for the trip.
- You must be a Costco member to hold the card, and membership is required to use the card at Costco locations.
How the cash back rewards work
The card earns cash back at different rates depending on where and what you buy. At Costco and Costco.com, you earn a higher percentage. On gas purchases (anywhere), you earn a set rate up to a monthly cap, then a lower rate after that. On travel purchases—airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and cruises—you earn a higher rate. All other purchases earn a base rate.
Cash back is not automatic. You receive an annual statement showing your total cash back, and you can redeem it as a statement credit or a Costco Cash card that you use in-warehouse or online. Costco Cash cards expire one year from issue, so mark the date if you choose that option. If you do nothing, the cash back sits on your account until you request it.
The exact rates change periodically, so check your cardholder agreement or Citi's website for current percentages. Rates also vary slightly by region in some cases.
Travel accident insurance and what it covers
If you buy a ticket for a trip using your Costco Visa, the card includes travel accident insurance that covers you and your when ready family members traveling with you. The coverage applies to accidents that occur during the trip, including accidents on public transportation you paid for with the card.
The insurance pays a benefit per person up to a stated maximum if you die or suffer a permanent injury as a result of an accident during the trip. Coverage is secondary, meaning it pays only after any other insurance you carry. The card does not cover accidents that happen before the trip begins or after it ends, nor does it cover accidents on transportation you did not pay for with the card.
To make a claim, contact Citi with documentation of the accident and your medical records. You will need to show that the trip was paid with the Costco Visa and that the accident occurred during the covered period.
Emergency medical and dental coverage abroad
When you travel outside the United States and your trip is paid with the Costco Visa, the card covers emergency medical and dental treatment you need during that trip. This is not primary insurance—it covers costs that your regular health insurance does not pay. The coverage applies only to treatment of an emergency condition, not routine or preventive care.
Coverage is limited to a set dollar amount per person and per trip. Dental coverage typically covers only pain relief and temporary repair, not permanent dental work. You must seek treatment while you are still outside the United States; the card does not cover treatment you receive after you return home.
To use this benefit, pay for the trip with your Costco Visa and keep receipts for any medical or dental expenses. If you need treatment, ask the provider for an itemized receipt showing what was done and the cost. You will submit this to Citi along with a claim form to request reimbursement.
Purchase protection against damage and theft
Any item you buy with the Costco Visa is covered against accidental damage or theft for a set number of days after purchase. This applies to purchases made anywhere, not just at Costco. If your new laptop is damaged in an accident or your phone is stolen within the coverage window, you can file a claim with Citi for the purchase price.
The coverage does not explore to damage from normal wear and tear, intentional damage, or damage from a cause the manufacturer would exclude under warranty. It also does not cover items damaged during shipping or in transit unless you paid for shipping with the card. Each claim has a deductible, and the total benefit per claim and per year is capped.
To file a claim, gather the original receipt, proof of purchase, and documentation of the damage or theft (such as a police report for theft). Contact Citi with these documents within the time limit stated in your cardholder agreement.
How to set up the card and set up your account
When your Costco Visa arrives, call the number on the back of the card or visit Citi's website to set up it. You will need your card number and a form of identification. set up is required before you can use the card for purchases.
After set up, set up online account access through Citi's website so you can view your balance, make payments, and track your cash back. You can also set up automatic payments to may support you never miss a due date. If you want to redeem your cash back as a Costco Cash card, you can request it through your online account or by calling Citi.
Your first statement will arrive about 30 days after your first purchase. Review it to confirm all charges are correct and to see your cash back total for that period.
Paying your bill and avoiding interest charges
Your Costco Visa bill is due on the same date each month, shown on your statement. You can pay online through Citi's website, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payment from your bank account. Paying in full by the due date means you pay no interest on your purchases.
If you carry a balance, interest accrues daily on the unpaid amount. The card's interest rate varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. You can see your current rate in your cardholder agreement or by logging into your account online.
Setting up automatic payment for at least the minimum amount protects you from late fees and missed payments that could hurt your credit score. Many cardholders set automatic payment for the full statement balance each month to avoid interest entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Costco Visa outside of Costco?
Yes. The card works anywhere Visa is accepted. You earn the base cash back rate on non-Costco purchases, and a higher rate on gas and travel purchases. Only purchases at Costco and Costco.com earn the highest cash back rate.
What happens to my card if I let my Costco membership lapse?
Citi may close your account or restrict its use if your membership ends. You should renew your membership before it expires if you want to keep the card active. If your account is closed, you can reopen it by renewing your membership and contacting Citi.
Does the travel accident insurance cover me if someone else paid for my ticket?
No. The coverage applies only when the Costco Visa paid for the trip. If a family member or friend bought your ticket with their own card or cash, you are not covered under this benefit.
How long do I have to redeem my cash back?
Cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open. However, if you choose to receive it as a Costco Cash card, that card expires one year from the date it is issued. You can redeem cash back as a statement credit at any time without an expiration date.
Is there a limit to how much cash back I can earn?
There is a monthly cap on the higher gas cash back rate. Once you reach that cap in a month, gas purchases earn a lower rate for the rest of that month. Other categories have no stated earning cap.