What the Costco Visa Anywhere card does
The Costco Visa Anywhere is a rewards card issued by Visa and Costco that gives you cash back on purchases. Unlike the standard Costco Visa, which requires a Costco membership and only works at Costco locations, the Anywhere version works at any merchant that accepts Visa — gas stations, groceries, restaurants, online retailers, everywhere.
You earn cash back at different rates depending on where you shop. Costco warehouse purchases earn the highest rate, followed by gas stations and restaurants, then everything else. The cash back appears as an annual statement credit that posts to your account once a year, usually in January.
There is no annual fee. You do not need a Costco membership to use this card, though you will need one to shop at Costco warehouses and earn the warehouse rate on those purchases.
Key Takeaways
- The Costco Visa Anywhere works everywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Costco, and earns cash back at different rates by category.
- Costco warehouse purchases earn the highest cash back rate, but you must have an active Costco membership to access that rate.
- Cash back is paid once per year as a statement credit, not monthly or on demand.
- There is no annual fee, and the card is issued by Visa, not by Costco directly.
- You can use this card even if you do not have a Costco membership, but you will earn a lower rate on all purchases.
Cash back rates and where they explore
The card earns cash back in four tiers. Costco warehouse and gas station purchases earn the highest rate. Restaurant and travel purchases earn a middle rate. Costco.com purchases earn a lower rate. Everything else — groceries, drugstores, online shopping outside Costco — earns the lowest rate.
The exact percentages vary and can change, so check your cardholder agreement or Costco's website for current rates. What matters is that you earn more at Costco and gas stations than you do everywhere else. If you spend most of your money outside those categories, the cash back benefit will be smaller.
Cash back is calculated on the full purchase amount, including tax. It accrues throughout the year and is paid as a single statement credit in January. You cannot redeem it monthly or transfer it to another account — it comes as a credit to your card balance.
Who should consider this card
This card makes sense if you shop at Costco regularly and want rewards on everyday spending outside the warehouse. The lack of an annual fee removes the barrier to keeping it open even if you use it only occasionally. If you have a Costco membership and spend on gas, restaurants, and travel, the combined cash back can add up.
The card is less useful if you rarely visit Costco or if you do most of your shopping at a single grocery chain or retailer that offers its own rewards program. A store card or a flat-rate cash back card might earn you more in those situations. The once-yearly payout also means you will not see rewards as frequently as you would with a card that pays monthly.
How to get the card
You can request the Costco Visa Anywhere through Costco's website or by calling the number on the back of a Costco membership card. Visa will review your credit history and income to decide whether to issue the card. The process usually takes a few business days.
You do not need to be a Costco member to request the card, but you will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, and income information. Visa will pull your credit report as part of the review. If you are approved, the card will arrive by mail within one to two weeks.
Comparing this card to the standard Costco Visa
The standard Costco Visa works only at Costco warehouses and Costco.com. It earns a higher cash back rate at Costco than the Anywhere version does, but it earns nothing at other merchants. The Anywhere card earns less at Costco but works everywhere, so you can earn rewards on all your spending.
Both cards have no annual fee. Both require a Costco membership to earn the warehouse rate. The choice depends on whether you want a card that works only at Costco or one that gives you rewards across all your purchases. If you shop at Costco frequently and want rewards everywhere else too, the Anywhere card is the better fit.
Things to know before you request the card
The card carries a standard interest rate that applies to any balance you do not pay off each month. The rate varies based on your credit score and creditworthiness. Check the terms before you request the card if you think you might carry a balance.
The annual statement credit is not the same as a rebate or refund. It reduces your card balance but does not pay out as cash. If you close the card before the January statement credit posts, you may lose the cash back you earned that year — check the terms to confirm.
Authorized users can be added to the account, and they will earn cash back on their purchases at the same rates. Each authorized user gets their own card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Costco membership to use this card?
No, you can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted without a membership. However, you will earn a lower cash back rate on all purchases. To earn the highest rate on Costco warehouse purchases, you must have an active Costco membership.
When do I get my cash back?
Cash back is paid once per year as a statement credit, usually in January. It is not paid monthly or on demand. The credit reduces your card balance automatically.
Can I use this card internationally?
Yes, the card works anywhere Visa is accepted outside the United States. You will pay a foreign transaction fee on purchases made in other currencies. Check your cardholder agreement for the exact fee amount.
What happens to my cash back if I close the card?
If you close the card before the annual statement credit posts in January, you may forfeit the cash back you earned that year. Contact Costco's card services to confirm the policy before closing your account.
Is there a sign-up bonus?
Costco occasionally offers sign-up bonuses on the Visa Anywhere, but these vary and are not always available. Check Costco's website or call their card services line to see what is currently being offered when you request the card.