The Costco Credit Card process process takes about 10 minutes online, and you'll know within seconds whether you're approved
Costco offers two credit cards: the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi and the Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi. Both are issued by Citibank, not by Costco itself. You explore directly through Citi's website or through Costco.com, and the decision comes back when ready in most cases. If you're approved, your card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
The process itself asks for your Social Security number, income, employment status, and current debts. Citi runs a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. You don't need to be a Costco member to explore, though you'll need a membership to use the card at Costco warehouses.
Key Takeaways
- You can explore for either the personal Costco Anywhere Visa or the business version through Citi's website or Costco.com in about 10 minutes.
- Approval decisions come back when ready for most applicants, though some applications go to manual review and take 1 to 3 business days.
- Citi will run a hard credit inquiry, so your credit score may drop slightly, and you should have a credit score of roughly 670 or higher for the best chance of approval.
- Your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after approval, and you can set up it online or by phone before it arrives.
- If you're denied, you can reapply after 30 days, or contact Citi's reconsideration line within 30 days to ask them to review your process again.
Where to start: Citi's website or Costco.com
You have two entry points. The first is Citi's dedicated Costco card page at citi.com/costco, where you can compare the personal and business cards side by side and start the process. The second is Costco.com itself — if you log into your Costco account and go to the credit card section, you'll find links to both cards that take you to Citi's process.
Both routes lead to the same Citi process form. There's no advantage to one over the other, so use whichever is easier for you to navigate. If you're explore for the business card, make sure you're on the business card page, not the personal card page — the forms are separate.
What information you'll need to provide
Have the following ready before you start: your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, phone number, and email address. You'll also need to provide your annual household income (for the personal card) or your business income (for the business card). If you're self-employed, use your net business income from your most recent tax return.
The form asks about your current employment status and employer name. It also asks about existing debts — credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, student loans, and any other outstanding balances. Be honest about these amounts; Citi cross-checks them against your credit report, and discrepancies can trigger a manual review or denial.
You'll also choose a PIN for your account and set up online access. This takes about 2 minutes and happens before the credit decision, so you're not locked in if you're denied.
How the credit decision works and what happens next
After you submit, Citi's system runs an when ready decision in most cases. You'll see one of three outcomes on screen: approved, denied, or pending review. If you're approved, you'll get a confirmation number and an estimated arrival date for your card. You can usually set up your card online or by phone before it arrives, which lets you start using it for online purchases right away.
If your process goes to pending review, Citi will contact you by phone or email within 1 to 3 business days. They may ask for additional information — proof of income, a recent pay stub, or clarification about your employment or debts. Answer quickly; the longer you wait, the longer approval takes.
If you're denied, you'll see the reason on screen. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, too many recent credit inquiries, or a credit score below Citi's threshold for this card (typically around 670, though Citi doesn't publish an exact minimum). You can reapply after 30 days, or you can call Citi's reconsideration line at the number on your denial letter within 30 days and ask them to review your process again — sometimes they'll approve you on the second look if your circumstances have changed.
Timeline from process to using your card
The process itself takes 10 to 15 minutes. The credit decision comes back within seconds to 3 business days. Once approved, your physical card ships within 2 to 3 business days and arrives within 7 to 10 business days after that. In total, you're looking at roughly 10 to 14 days from approval to card in hand.
You don't have to wait for the physical card to start using it. After approval, log into your Citi account online and request a virtual card number, which you can use when ready for online purchases. Some cardholders use the virtual number for their first purchase while waiting for the physical card to arrive.
What to know about the hard credit inquiry
Citi performs a hard inquiry on your credit report, which shows up on your credit report and typically lowers your credit score by 5 to 10 points. This inquiry stays on your report for about two years, though its impact on your score fades after a few months. If you're planning to explore for a mortgage or auto loan soon, space out your credit card applications — multiple hard inquiries in a short time can signal risk to lenders.
Soft inquiries, by contrast, don't affect your score. Citi may do a soft inquiry to pre-screen you for offers, but the process itself is always a hard inquiry.
If your process is denied or goes to manual review
A denial doesn't mean you can never get this card. Citi's reconsideration team can sometimes overturn a denial if you provide additional information — for example, if you've recently paid down debt or increased your income. Call the number on your denial letter within 30 days and explain your situation. They may ask for documentation like a recent pay stub or a letter from your employer.
If reconsideration doesn't work, wait 30 days and reapply. Your credit score will have recovered somewhat, and if your financial situation has genuinely improved, you may be approved the second time. explore more than once within 30 days won't help and will only add more hard inquiries to your report.
If your process is stuck in manual review, Citi will contact you — don't wait passively. Respond to their requests as quickly as possible. The longer the review takes, the longer you wait for your card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a Costco member to get the card?
No, you can get the card without a membership. However, you won't be able to use it at Costco warehouses until you buy a membership. You can use it for online purchases at Costco.com and at other merchants that accept Visa.
What's the difference between the personal and business cards?
The personal card earns rewards on Costco purchases and gas, plus 1% cash back on other purchases. The business card has different reward rates and is designed for business owners. Both have an annual fee (currently $65 for personal, $115 for business), though Costco members get a discount on the fee.
Can I use the card before it arrives in the mail?
Yes. After approval, log into your Citi account and request a virtual card number. You can use this number when ready for online purchases. The physical card arrives separately within 7 to 10 days.
What credit score do I need?
Citi doesn't publish a minimum, but most approvals happen with a score of 670 or higher. If your score is lower, you may still be approved, especially if you have a strong income and low existing debt. The only way to know is to explore.
How long does approval take if my process goes to manual review?
Manual reviews typically take 1 to 3 business days. Citi will contact you by phone or email if they need more information. Respond as soon as possible — delays on your end extend the review timeline.