The Costco credit card comes from Citi, not Costco itself, and you request it through Citi's website or in the warehouse

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is the only credit card Costco officially partners with. You cannot get it directly from Costco — you explore through Citi, either online at Citi's website or by filling out a paper form at a Costco warehouse. Citi makes the approval decision based on your credit history, income, and existing debts, not on whether you shop at Costco or how long you've been a member.

The card works at Costco warehouses and on Costco.com, but also at any merchant that takes Visa. You earn cash back on Costco purchases (the rate varies by category) and a lower rate everywhere else. There is an annual fee, which Costco members pay once per year.

If you do not have a Costco membership, you cannot use the card at the warehouse, though you can still use it as a regular Visa elsewhere. Most people get the card because they already shop at Costco and want the cash back rewards.

Key Takeaways

  • You request the Costco credit card from Citi, not from Costco, either online or with a paper form at the warehouse.
  • Citi will check your credit score and history to decide whether to approve you; there is no separate Costco step.
  • The card has an annual fee that renews each year, and you earn different cash back rates depending on where you use it.
  • You do not need a Costco membership to request the card, but you cannot use it at the warehouse without one.

What Citi will look at when you request the card

Citi pulls your credit report from one or more of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) and looks at your credit score — usually your FICO score. A higher score makes approval more likely. Citi also looks at how much debt you already carry, whether you have missed payments in the past, and how long you have had credit accounts open.

You will also need to provide your income and employment information on the form. Citi uses this to confirm you have the means to pay the card balance. If you have been denied for credit recently or have a very low score, Citi may deny you. There is no minimum credit score Citi publishes, but most people approved have scores of 670 or higher.

The request itself is a hard inquiry, which means it shows up on your credit report and can lower your score by a few points for a few months. If you are denied, you can request again, but multiple requests in a short time can hurt your score further.

How to request the card online or in the warehouse

The fastest route is Citi's website. Go to Citi's credit card section, find the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, and click the link to request. You will enter your personal information (name, address, Social Security number), income, and employment details. Citi will tell you right away or within a few minutes whether you are approved, denied, or pending review.

If you prefer to request in person, go to the customer service desk at any Costco warehouse and ask for a credit card form. Fill it out there and hand it back. The warehouse staff will not make the decision — they will send it to Citi, and Citi will contact you by mail or phone within one to two weeks.

Requesting online is usually faster because you get an answer when ready. Requesting at the warehouse takes longer but may feel more comfortable if you prefer not to enter your information online.

What happens after you are approved

If Citi approves you, your card will arrive in the mail within seven to ten business days. You will also receive a welcome packet with your card number, expiration date, and the cash back rates for different purchase categories. Before you use the card, call the number on the back to set up it.

Your first statement will arrive about a month after you receive the card. You can pay online through Citi's website, by phone, or by mail. If you pay the full balance by the due date, you will not pay interest. If you carry a balance, Citi will charge you interest at the rate listed in your welcome materials (this rate varies based on your credit score and history).

The annual fee will appear on your statement once per year, usually on the anniversary of when you opened the card. You can cancel the card anytime, but you will still owe any balance you have and will not get the annual fee back.

Cash back rates and how they work

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card earns cash back at different rates depending on where you use it. At Costco warehouses and Costco.com, you earn a higher rate (the exact rate changes occasionally, so check Citi's website for the current amount). At gas stations, you earn a different rate. On all other purchases, you earn a lower rate.

Cash back is not automatic — you do not have to do anything to earn it. Every time you use the card, Citi tracks the purchase and adds the cash back to your account. You can see your cash back balance in your online account or on your statement. You can redeem it as a statement credit (which reduces your bill) or as a check mailed to you.

Cash back does not expire as long as your account is open, so you can let it build up and redeem it whenever you want. If you close the card, you have a limited time (usually 90 days) to redeem any remaining cash back before it is forfeited.

What to do if you are denied

If Citi denies you, they will send you a letter explaining the reason — usually "insufficient credit history," "too many recent inquiries," or "high existing debt." You can request again after a few months, especially if you have paid down debt or built your credit score in the meantime.

Before you request again, check your credit report for errors. You can get a free copy from AnnualCreditReport.com (the official site run by the three credit bureaus). If you find a mistake — like a payment marked late when you paid on time — you can dispute it with the bureau, and correcting it may help your next request.

If your score is low, focus on paying all bills on time and paying down existing balances. Even small improvements can change the outcome on a second request a few months later.

Annual fee and whether the rewards are worth it

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card has an annual fee that you pay once per year. The exact amount varies, so check Citi's website or your welcome materials for the current fee. You pay this fee whether you use the card or not — if you close the card, you will not be charged again, but you will lose access to the cash back rewards.

Whether the card is worth the fee depends on how much you spend at Costco. If you shop there regularly and spend several hundred dollars per year, the cash back rewards often cover the annual fee and give you extra money back. If you shop there rarely, the fee may not be worth it.

You can also use the card as a regular Visa at other stores and restaurants, where you earn a lower cash back rate. Some people keep the card for Costco purchases and use a different card elsewhere; others use it for all their spending to maximize rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Costco membership to request the card?

No. You can request the Costco credit card from Citi without a membership. However, you cannot use the card at a Costco warehouse without a valid membership card. You can still use it as a regular Visa at other stores.

How long does it take to get approved?

If you request online, Citi usually tells you within minutes. If you request with a paper form at the warehouse, Citi will contact you within one to two weeks. Once approved, your card arrives in seven to ten business days.

What is the credit score I need to get approved?

Citi does not publish a minimum score, but most approved cardholders have scores of 670 or higher. If your score is lower, you may still be approved depending on your income and debt, but denial is more likely.

Can I use the card outside of Costco?

Yes. The card is a Visa and works anywhere Visa is accepted. You earn a lower cash back rate on non-Costco purchases, but you can use it at restaurants, gas stations, and other retailers.

What happens to my cash back if I close the card?

You have about 90 days after closing to redeem any remaining cash back as a statement credit or check. After that time, any unredeemed cash back is forfeited. You cannot earn new cash back once the card is closed.