You can get a Costco credit card in person at your warehouse or online through Costco's website
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 Citi, not by Costco itself. You do not need to be a Costco member to open either card, though you will need to be a member to use the card at Costco locations. The process takes about 10 minutes and you can start either online or at a warehouse membership desk.
The main difference between the two is that the business card is designed for business owners and sole proprietors, while the personal card works for anyone. Both cards earn cash back on Costco purchases and other spending, though the rates differ. Neither card has an annual fee.
Key Takeaways
- You can open a Costco credit card online at Citi's website or in person at any Costco warehouse without being a current member.
- Citi will check your credit during the process, so your credit score and history affect whether you are approved.
- The personal Costco Anywhere Visa Card and the business version earn different cash back rates on gas, groceries, and other categories.
- You can use the card at Costco warehouses, Costco.com, and anywhere Visa is accepted, but you must be a member to shop at the warehouse.
- Approval decisions usually come within minutes if you open the card online, or within a few minutes at the membership desk.
Opening the card online through Citi
Go to Citi's Costco credit card page and select either the personal or business card. You will enter your name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, phone number, and email. Citi will ask about your annual income and employment status. Have your Social Security number ready — you cannot complete the process without it.
After you submit your information, Citi performs a hard inquiry on your credit report. This means the process will show up on your credit and may lower your score slightly. Citi will tell you when ready whether you are approved, denied, or pending review. If you are approved, your card number appears on screen and you can add it to your digital wallet right away. The physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
If Citi puts you under review, you will receive a call or email within one to two business days with a decision. If you are denied, Citi will explain why in writing and tell you how to dispute the decision if you believe there is an error.
explore in person at a Costco warehouse
Visit the membership desk at any Costco warehouse and ask to open a Costco credit card. A staff member will hand you a paper process or direct you to a kiosk where you can fill one out on screen. You will provide the same information as the online process: name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment details.
Citi processes the process on the spot. You will know whether you are approved within a few minutes. If approved, you receive a temporary card number that you can use when ready at the warehouse or online. Your physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days, and the temporary number stops working once the permanent card reaches you.
The in-person route is useful if you want to use the card the same day or if you prefer to ask questions face-to-face. However, the online process is usually faster because you do not have to travel to a warehouse.
What Citi looks for when reviewing your process
Citi reviews your credit score, credit history, income, and current debt. You do not need a perfect credit score to be approved — people with fair credit (typically 580 to 669) are often approved, though you may receive a higher interest rate. Citi is more likely to deny you if you have recent late payments, a very high debt-to-income ratio, or a very low credit score.
Your income does not have to be high, but it should be enough to support the credit limit Citi offers you. If you are self-employed or have variable income, write down a realistic annual figure. Citi may ask you to verify your income with a recent tax return or pay stub if your process is under review.
Having a Costco membership does not affect your credit decision, but being a long-time member with a clean payment history to Costco (if you have used a Costco credit card before) can work in your favor.
Cash back rates and how they work
The personal Costco Anywhere Visa Card earns 4% cash back on gas (at Costco and Costco.com only, up to $7,000 per year, then 1% after), 3% on restaurants and travel, 2% on Costco purchases, and 1% on all other purchases. The business card earns the same rates on most categories but has slightly different limits on gas cash back.
Cash back is not automatic. You earn it as you spend, and Costco deposits it into your Costco Cash account once per year, usually in December. You can then use that Costco Cash to pay for anything at Costco warehouses or online. Some members receive their cash back earlier if they reach a certain threshold during the year.
The cash back rates are fixed — Citi does not offer promotional rates or bonus categories that change. This makes the card straightforward to use: you always know what you are earning.
Membership requirements and using your card
You do not need to be a Costco member to open the card, but you must be a member to shop at Costco warehouses. If you are not a member when you open the card, you will need to purchase a membership separately. A Gold Star membership (the basic level) costs $65 per year. You can buy a membership at the warehouse, online, or when you open your credit card.
Once you have both the card and a membership, you can use the card at any Costco warehouse, on Costco.com, at Costco gas stations, and anywhere Visa is accepted. The card works like any other Visa card outside Costco, but you only earn the higher cash back rates on Costco and restaurant/travel purchases.
If your membership lapses, you can still use the card outside Costco, but you cannot enter a warehouse to shop. Renewing your membership is straightforward — you can do it online, at the warehouse, or by phone.
What happens after you are approved
Once Citi approves you, you receive a temporary card number if you applied in person, or you can add your card number to your digital wallet when ready if you applied online. Your physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can use the card as soon as you receive the number — you do not have to wait for the physical card.
When your physical card arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or by logging into your Citi account online. Citi will ask you to confirm your identity. After set up, you can use the card everywhere. The temporary number (if you received one) will stop working once the permanent card is activated.
Set up online account access through Citi's website so you can track your spending, view your statement, and make payments. You can also set up automatic payments to avoid missing a due date. Citi sends your statement every month, and your payment is due 21 to 25 days after the statement closes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Costco membership to open the card?
No. You can open the card without a membership. However, you will need to purchase a membership if you want to shop at Costco warehouses. The card itself works anywhere Visa is accepted, but you only earn the higher cash back rates on Costco purchases if you are a member.
What credit score do I need to be approved?
Citi does not publish a minimum credit score, but most approvals go to people with a score of 650 or higher. People with lower scores are sometimes approved, especially if they have stable income and low debt. The best way to know is to open the process and see what Citi decides.
How long does it take to get approved?
Online applications usually get a decision within minutes. In-person applications at the warehouse are approved or denied within a few minutes at the membership desk. If Citi needs more information, you will hear back within one to two business days.
Can I use the card before the physical card arrives?
Yes. If you applied online, you can add your card number to your digital wallet and use it right away. If you applied in person, you receive a temporary card number that works when ready. You do not have to wait for the physical card in the mail.
What if I am denied?
Citi will send you a letter explaining why you were denied and how to dispute the decision if you believe there is an error. Common reasons for denial are a low credit score, recent late payments, or high existing debt. You can reopen after six months and your credit may have improved by then.