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If you’re a Costco member and you spend a lot of money on gas, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi card can a great option. Just remember that your rewards will only become available to you once per year, and that you’ll have to visit a brick-and-mortar Costco store to get your cash back or to cash in your rewards for merchandise.
Review: Is the Costco Anywhere Visa the best credit card for you?
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers generous cash-back rewards in several spending categories, including Costco purchases. But where the card really stands out is for the rewards it offers on gas purchases worldwide.
If you’re someone who drives long distances or commutes to work, this card could be an excellent choice for your wallet for that reason alone. You’ll earn 4% cash back on eligible gas purchases worldwide on up to $7,000 in spending per year (then 1%).
You’ll also earn 3% cash back on all restaurants and eligible travel, 2% back on Costco purchases, and 1% back on everything else. Note that the card has no annual fee, but you’ll need an active Costco membership to qualify for the card.
While the ongoing rewards you earn with this card can be quite lucrative, the fact that there’s no sign-up bonus is a downside, as is the limitation on how you can use your rewards — you’ll only receive your rewards once per year, in the form of a certificate you can redeem for cash back or merchandise at Costco.
Because of this, you should also consider one of the best cash-back credit cards before you decide on the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. For example, the Citi® Double Cash Card effectively earns 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy, and 1% when you pay it off) — and the rewards are much more flexible to redeem.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
How to earn rewards from the Costco Anywhere Visa card
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi doesn’t offer a public sign-up bonus. However, Costco members are sometimes targeted for an exclusive bonus when opening a Costco membership. If you don’t find any targeted bonus online, you can always apply in-store at Costco and ask if you’re eligible to receive a bonus.
One great feature about a “store card” like the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is that you aren’t relegated to Costco purchases alone. In fact, this is an extremely rewarding card for purchases that have nothing to do with Costco.
Gas stations
You’ll earn 4% cash back at gas stations with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi for up to $7,000 in spending per year (then 1% cash back). This return makes it one of the best credit cards for gas purchases. Just note that gas, when purchased at a superstore, supermarket, convenience store, or warehouse club other than Costco, will only earn 1% cash back. Similarly, if you purchase fuel for non-automobile vehicles, you’ll earn 1% back.
Restaurants and travel
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi also accrues 3% cash back for both travel and restaurant expenses. Travel purchases include:
AirfareHotelsRental carsCruisesTravel agencies (including Costco Travel)
Costco purchases
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi earns 2% cash back at Costco.
If you’ve also got a Costco Executive membership (which offers 2% back at Costco), you’ll earn a total of 4% back on all purchases — or 5% back when buying travel through Costco Travel. That’s excellent.
In other words, Costco Executive members can earn 4% back with Costco if they have this card — or 5% back if they’re making a purchase through Costco Travel.
A Costco Executive membership costs $120 each year. You’ll have to spend $6,000 per year before this extra 2% back offsets your annual membership fee. Also note that the membership doesn’t earn 2% at Costco gas stations or for select other items like tobacco, alcohol, and Costco food courts.
Other eligible purchases
This card earns a flat 1% cash back for expenses that don’t fall into a bonus category. There’s no limit to the amount of cash you can earn.
How to use rewards
Redeeming the rewards you earn with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi isn’t as convenient as you’ll find on other cash back credit cards.
You can’t redeem incrementally as you accrue cashback — you can’t even redeem monthly after your rewards post. You can only cash out once per year “as an annual credit card reward certificate once your February billing statement closes.” You can either receive cash or use your rewards for merchandise at US Costco warehouses.
Either way, you’ll have to actually visit a Costco warehouse to obtain your rewards.
Costco Visa benefits and features
This card doesn’t offer as impressive a suite of benefits as our favorite rewards credit cards, but you can do worse for no annual fee. Here’s what you can expect.
Purchase protection
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers purchase protection against damage or theft, for example, provided you report the incident within 120 days of purchase (90 days for New York residents). This makes the card a good choice when making expensive purchases.
Extended warranty protection
For select purchases, you’ll receive the benefit of an extended warranty for an additional 24 months. There’s a cap of $10,000 per item for which this card will reimburse you, and your total coverage can last up to seven years from your purchase date.
No foreign transaction fees
Some credit cards charge a fee (usually 3%) just for the privilege of swiping your card outside the US. The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi doesn’t charge these foreign transaction fees, so it’s a good card to bring when traveling abroad.
Car rental insurance
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi will cover you for up to $50,000 in repairs (or the cash value, whichever is less) of a car rental reserved in full with this card. You’re covered for both theft and damages. Only rentals lasting 31 consecutive days or less qualify.
To activate this benefit, you’ll need to waive the CDW at the rental agency counter. You’ll receive primary insurance when outside the US, and secondary when renting domestically.
Peer-to-peer rental platforms like Turo aren’t covered by this perk.
Travel accident insurance
This card will cover up to $250,000 per person in the event of tragedy during your travels. Eligible situations that qualify for travel accident insurance include:
Accidental death on a “Common Carrier” (such as a plane, train, ferry, cruise ship, etc.)Loss of a limbLoss of sightLoss of speechLoss of hearing
Those covered include the primary cardholder, spouse, domestic partner, and dependents.
Roadside assistance dispatch service
If you’re within the US (including Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands), you’ll have access to 24/7 roadside assistance.
You’ll pay a pre-negotiated price for each service call, and will have access to the following:
Towing/winchingJump startChange of flat tire (you must have a spare)Lock-out service (when the key is inside the vehicleUp to two gallons of gas delivered
The primary cardholder is the only one covered for this and must be with the car.
Travel and emergency assistance
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi provides 24/7 emergency assistance for things like travel arrangements, medical referrals, legal issues, etc. While the information will be free, you’ll still have to pay for the services once requested.
Family members and traveling companions are eligible to use this benefit — even if you’re not traveling with them.
Citi Entertainment access
Additionally, you’ll receive access to presale tickets and exclusive experiences through the Citi Entertainment program.
Fees and costs
You must have a Costco membership to qualify for this credit card. Costco memberships start at $60, which is worth considering if you don’t have a membership already and don’t plan on shopping at the store very often.
In terms of additional costs, this card will charge interest on outstanding balances, as well as cash advance and balance transfer fees.
It’s great to see no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, however.
Comparison: Costco Anywhere Visa vs other Citi credit cards
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Citi® Double Cash Card
Citi Rewards+® Card
Annual fee
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Citi® Double Cash Card
Citi Rewards+® Card
Rewards rate
4% cash back on eligible gas worldwide (on up to $7,000 in spending per year, then 1%)
3% cash back on restaurant and eligible travel purchases worldwide
2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and costco.com
1% cash back on all other purchases
1% cash back when you make a purchase and 1% cash back when you pay your bill (effectively 2%)
5x points at restaurants on up to $6,000 in the first 12 months, then 1x
2x points at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 spent per year, then 1x
1x on everything else
All points earnings are rounded up to the nearest 10 points
Welcome bonus offer
No publicly available bonus (though you may be targeted)
None
Citi Rewards+® Card
Benefits
No foreign transaction fees
Can be used as your Costco membership card
Access to Citi Entertainment
Citi® Double Cash Card, then a Citi® Double Cash Card APR
Access to Citi Entertainment
Review
Costco Anywhere Visa vs other cashback credit cards
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Annual fee
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Rewards rate
4% cash back on eligible gas worldwide (on up to $7,000 in spending per year, then 1%)
3% cash back on restaurant and eligible travel purchases worldwide
2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and costco.com
1% cash back on all other purchases
5% cash back (5x points) on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
5% cash back (5x points) on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter in rotating bonus categories when you activate
3% cash back (3x points) on dining and drugstore purchases
1% cash back (1x points) on everything else
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets*
6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit
1% back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus offer
No publicly available bonus (though you may be targeted)
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Benefits
No foreign transaction fees
Can be used as your Costco membership card
Car rental insurance (secondary in the US, primary otherwise)
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Purchase protection
Extended warranty
Travel and emergency assistance services
Chase Freedom Flex℠ (then Chase Freedom Flex℠)
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (then Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express)
Review
Chase Freedom Flex credit card review
American Express Blue Cash Preferred review
*6%/3% cash back/3x points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 spent per year, then 1% back/1 point per dollar (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars)
Costco credit card frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible for the Costco Anywhere Visa?
You must be a Costco member to open the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. Even though this card doesn’t have an annual fee, you must pay an annual fee for a Costco membership to qualify for the card.
Is the Costco Anywhere Visa a cash back card?
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is effectively a cashback-earning credit card — though you can choose to redeem your rewards for either cash or Costco merchandise.
How do you redeem rewards with the Costco Anywhere Visa?
You can only redeem your rewards once per year (after your February billing statement closes). You’ll have through December 31 to redeem your cash back, and you must visit a Costco warehouse.