You can get a Costco credit card only if you have a Costco membership
Costco offers two credit cards: the Costco Anywhere Visa Card and the Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card. Both are issued by Citi. You cannot open either one without an active Costco membership — the card is tied to your membership account, and you lose the card if your membership lapses.
The process itself is straightforward: you explore in-warehouse at the membership desk, online through Costco's website, or by phone. Citi runs a credit check and typically gives you an answer within minutes if you explore online or by phone. There is no annual fee for the personal card, though your Costco membership itself costs money (Gold Star membership is the entry level).
Key Takeaways
- You must have an active Costco membership before you can open a Costco credit card — the card is not separate from membership.
- Citi issues both the personal and business Costco cards and will pull your credit report, so you need a credit score in the mid-600s or higher to be approved.
- You can explore at the membership desk in any warehouse, on Costco.com, or by calling Citi directly, and you will usually know the result the same day.
- The personal Costco card has no annual fee, but you pay for your Costco membership separately, which renews yearly.
- The card earns cash back on Costco purchases and gas, with higher rates for members who also use the Costco Travel service.
Where to explore for a Costco credit card
You have three ways to explore. The fastest is usually online at Costco.com — go to the credit card page, enter your membership number, and complete Citi's process. You will see an approval decision within minutes in most cases.
You can also explore at the membership desk inside any Costco warehouse. A staff member will help you fill out the form, and Citi will call you with a decision, usually within the same day. This option works well if you want to ask questions in person or if you do not have your membership number memorized.
A third option is to call Citi directly at the phone number on the back of your Costco membership card. A representative will walk you through the process over the phone and tell you the result when ready.
What Citi looks for when you explore
Citi will pull your credit report and check your credit score, payment history, and current debt. There is no published minimum credit score for the Costco card, but most people approved have scores in the mid-600s or higher. If your score is lower or you have recent missed payments, you may be denied.
Citi also looks at your income and how many credit inquiries appear on your report in the last few months. If you have applied for multiple cards or loans recently, that can hurt your chances. The company is less concerned with your total income than with whether you look like you can handle another monthly payment.
If you are denied, Citi will mail you a letter explaining the reason. You can dispute inaccurate information on your credit report by contacting the credit bureau directly, then reapply after you have fixed the error.
What happens after you are approved
Once Citi approves you, your card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it online, by phone, or at the membership desk. Your card is linked to your Costco membership account, so you can start using it at Costco warehouses and on Costco.com right away.
You can also use the Costco Anywhere card at any merchant that accepts Visa, not just at Costco. This is different from some store cards that only work at that retailer. However, you earn the highest cash-back rates only on Costco purchases and Costco gas stations.
Cash-back rates and rewards
The personal Costco Anywhere Visa Card earns 2% cash back on Costco purchases and gas at Costco stations, 1% cash back on all other purchases, and 3% cash back on travel booked through Costco Travel (flights, hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages). Cash back is paid as an annual reward certificate that you can use at Costco or redeem for a statement credit.
The business card has similar rates: 2% on Costco purchases and gas, 1% on other purchases, and 3% on Costco Travel bookings. There is no annual fee for the business card either.
Both cards come with purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and travel accident insurance. You can read the full benefits in the cardholder agreement that comes with your card.
What to do if your process is denied
If Citi denies your process, you can reapply after you have addressed the reason for the denial. Request your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com (the official free source) and look for errors. If you find mistakes, dispute them with the credit bureau — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — and wait for the correction before reapplying.
If your score is straightforward too low, focus on paying down existing debt and making all payments on time for several months. Each on-time payment raises your score slightly. You can also ask a family member with good credit to add you as an authorized user on one of their cards, though this helps only if they have a low balance and a long payment history.
If you are denied because of income, you may not be ready for another credit card. Consider whether you actually need it, or whether you should wait until your financial situation improves.
How the Costco card differs from other store cards
Unlike many store credit cards, the Costco Anywhere Visa works everywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Costco. This makes it more flexible if you want to use it for everyday purchases outside the warehouse.
The card also has no annual fee, which is rare for cards with rewards. Many store cards charge $50 to $100 per year. However, you do pay for your Costco membership, which costs $60 per year for Gold Star (the basic level) and $120 per year for Executive membership. The Executive membership includes higher cash-back rates on Costco purchases, so the math depends on how much you spend there.
The cash-back rewards are modest compared to some travel or premium cards, but they are straightforward and straightforward to understand. You earn 2% on Costco purchases, period — no bonus categories that rotate or change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Costco membership to open the credit card?
Yes. The Costco credit card is tied to your membership account. If your membership expires and you do not renew it, your card will stop working. You must have an active membership to open the card in the first place.
Can I use the Costco card outside of Costco?
Yes. The Costco Anywhere Visa is a regular Visa card that works at any merchant that accepts Visa. However, you only earn the higher 2% cash-back rate on Costco purchases and Costco gas. At other stores, you earn 1% cash back.
How long does it take to get approved?
If you explore online or by phone, you usually get an answer within minutes. If you explore at the warehouse membership desk, Citi will call you with a decision, typically within the same day. Your physical card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days after approval.
What credit score do I need?
Citi does not publish a minimum score, but most approved applicants have scores in the mid-600s or higher. If your score is lower or you have recent missed payments, you may be denied. You can check your own score for free through many banks and credit card issuers.
What if I already have a Costco membership but no credit card?
You can open the card at any time. Go to Costco.com, visit the membership desk, or call Citi. Your membership number is all you need to start the process. There is no waiting period.