What the Costco Anywhere Visa Card is and who issues it
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card is a credit card issued by Citi that you can use both inside Costco warehouses and anywhere else Visa is accepted. Unlike a Costco membership card, which only works at Costco locations, this card functions as a standard credit card with rewards tied to your spending patterns. Citi handles the account, billing, and customer service — not Costco directly.
You must be a Costco member to open this card, and membership is separate from the card itself. The card comes with an annual fee, and the rewards you earn depend on where you spend money. Costco members who do not want this card can use a regular Visa or Mastercard at the warehouse; the Costco membership card is what gets you through the door.
Key Takeaways
- The Costco Anywhere Visa is issued by Citi and works anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Costco.
- You pay an annual fee to hold the card, and this fee is separate from your Costco membership cost.
- Rewards rates vary by category: gas, restaurants, and travel earn higher percentages than other purchases.
- Costco members can still shop at the warehouse with any other credit card or payment method if they choose not to open this card.
- The card offers no foreign transaction fees, which can save money if you travel outside the United States.
Annual fee and what it covers
The Costco Anywhere Visa charges an annual fee that renews each year on your card anniversary. This fee is charged to your account automatically and is separate from your Costco membership renewal. You pay the membership fee to Costco to shop at the warehouse, and you pay the card fee to Citi to hold the credit card.
The annual fee does not include any free purchases, discounts, or credits that offset it. You earn rewards on your spending, but those rewards are separate from the fee itself. If you close the card before the anniversary date, Citi may refund the annual fee depending on how much time has passed; contact Citi directly to ask about their refund policy if you are considering cancellation.
How rewards work by spending category
The Costco Anywhere Visa rewards structure divides your spending into categories, and each category earns a different percentage back. Gas purchases — including fuel at Costco gas stations and other gas stations — earn the highest rate. Restaurants and travel bookings (flights, hotels, rental cars) earn the next tier. Costco warehouse purchases and other may be able to access categories earn a lower rate. All other purchases earn the lowest rate.
Rewards are issued as an annual statement credit that appears on your Costco account once per year, usually around your card anniversary. You do not receive rewards as cash or points that you can transfer; the credit is applied directly to your Costco account balance. If you do not have an active Costco membership when the credit is issued, you may lose it, so keeping your membership current matters if you want to use your rewards.
There is a cap on how much you can earn in certain categories each year. Once you reach the maximum rewards in a category, additional spending in that category earns the lowest rate. This cap resets each calendar year, not on your card anniversary.
No foreign transaction fees and travel protections
The Costco Anywhere Visa does not charge a fee when you use it outside the United States, which is useful if you travel internationally. Most credit cards add 2 to 3 percent to foreign purchases, so this feature can save money on hotels, restaurants, and other spending abroad.
The card includes travel protections such as trip cancellation insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and emergency medical coverage when you book travel through Citi's travel portal. These protections have limits and exclusions — for example, they may not cover cancellations due to pre-existing medical conditions. Read the full terms in your card agreement or contact Citi to understand what is and is not covered before you rely on these protections.
How to open the card and what documents you need
You can open the Costco Anywhere Visa online through Citi's website, by phone, or in person at a Costco warehouse. To start the process, you will need your Social Security number, current address, and employment information. Citi will check your credit report as part of the approval process.
You must have an active Costco membership before you open the card. If your membership is expired, renew it first. Citi will verify your membership status during the process. Once you are approved, the physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days, though you may be able to use a temporary card number online when ready after approval.
If you are denied, Citi will send you a notice explaining the reason. You can contact Citi to ask about reapplying or to dispute information on your credit report if you believe something is incorrect.
Using the card at Costco and elsewhere
At Costco warehouses, present your Costco membership card at the entrance and use your Visa card at checkout like any other payment method. The card works at all Costco locations worldwide. You do not need to use the Costco Anywhere Visa to shop at Costco — you can use any credit card, debit card, or other payment method as long as you have a valid membership.
Outside Costco, the card functions as a standard Visa and is accepted anywhere Visa is taken. Online shopping, restaurants, gas stations, and other merchants all accept it. Your rewards are earned on all purchases, but the rate depends on the category. Purchases that do not fit into a defined category earn the base rate.
Comparing this card to other options
If you are a frequent Costco shopper, the rewards on warehouse purchases may offset the annual fee over time. However, if you rarely visit Costco or spend little there, the fee may not be worth it. A standard cash-back card with no annual fee might save you money if you do not value the category bonuses or travel protections.
The Costco Anywhere Visa is the only credit card Costco officially partners with, so if you want a co-branded Costco card, this is the only choice. Other Visa cards offer higher rewards in certain categories — for example, some cards earn 2 to 3 percent on all restaurants or 3 to 5 percent on gas — but they may charge an annual fee or have other restrictions. Compare your own spending patterns against the rewards structure to see whether this card makes sense for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the Costco Anywhere Visa to shop at Costco?
No. You need a Costco membership to enter the warehouse, but you can pay with any credit card, debit card, or other payment method. The Costco Anywhere Visa is optional and offers rewards if you choose to use it.
What happens to my rewards if I cancel the card?
Any rewards you have earned but not yet received as a statement credit may be forfeited if you close the card. Rewards are typically issued once per year, so timing matters. Contact Citi before you cancel to ask about your current rewards balance.
Can I use this card outside the United States?
Yes. The card works anywhere Visa is accepted, and there are no foreign transaction fees. You will earn rewards on international purchases at the same rates as domestic purchases, though the rewards are still issued as a Costco account credit.
What is the difference between this card and a Costco membership card?
The membership card is your ticket into the warehouse and shows your membership status. The Costco Anywhere Visa is a credit card issued by Citi that you use to pay for purchases. You need the membership card to shop; the credit card is optional and earns rewards.
How long does it take to receive the card after I am approved?
The physical card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Some issuers provide a temporary card number you can use online when ready after approval, but check your approval email to see if this option is available to you.