What the Citi Costco Anywhere Visa Card does

The Citi Costco Anywhere Visa Card is a rewards card issued by Citi that you can use at Costco warehouses, on Costco.com, and at gas stations and restaurants anywhere. You earn cash back on purchases — the rate depends on where you shop. The card costs $65 per year, though Costco members who pay for their membership also get the card fee waived for the first year.

This card is designed for people who shop at Costco regularly and want to earn rewards on those purchases. It is not a store credit card that only works at Costco; you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted. The cash back you earn comes as an annual statement credit or a check, not as points you redeem later.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn 4% cash back at Costco gas stations, 3% at Costco warehouses and on Costco.com, 2% at restaurants and travel, and 1% on all other purchases.
  • The $65 annual fee is waived for the first year if you are a Costco member, but you pay it every year after that.
  • You must be a Costco member to open the card, and you need a Costco membership card to use it at the warehouse.
  • Cash back is paid once per year as a statement credit or check, not as points you can use when ready.
  • You can use this card anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Costco.

How the cash back rewards work

The card earns different cash back rates depending on where you use it. At Costco gas stations you earn 4% cash back. At Costco warehouses and Costco.com you earn 3% cash back. At restaurants and travel (hotels, rental cars, airfare) you earn 2% cash back. On everything else you earn 1% cash back.

Your cash back is added up over the year and paid to you once, usually in December. You receive it as a statement credit applied to your card balance, or as a check mailed to your address. You cannot use cash back points to pay for purchases as you go — you have to wait for the annual payout. This is different from some other rewards cards that let you redeem points anytime.

The annual fee and whether it makes sense for you

The card costs $65 per year. If you are a Costco member paying for a membership, Citi waives this fee for your first year. After that, you pay the full $65 every year you keep the card open.

To decide if the fee is worth it, think about how much you spend at Costco each year. If you spend $2,000 per year at Costco warehouses and gas stations combined, you earn roughly $80 in cash back (3% on $1,500 in warehouse purchases plus 4% on $500 in gas). That $80 minus the $65 fee leaves you $15 ahead. The more you spend at Costco, the more the card pays for itself. If you spend less than $1,500 per year at Costco, the fee may cost you more than you earn back.

How to open the card and what you need

You must be a Costco member to open this card. You cannot get it without an active membership. When you are ready to explore, you can do so online through Citi's website, in person at your Costco warehouse, or by phone. Citi will ask for your Social Security number, income, and employment information, the same as any credit card process.

Citi will check your credit report and make a decision, usually within a few minutes for online applications. If you are approved, your card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can start using it at Costco right away once it arrives, and you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted.

Using the card at Costco and elsewhere

At Costco warehouses, you must show your Costco membership card along with your Citi Costco Visa card to make a purchase. The card works at all Costco locations in the United States and Canada. On Costco.com, you enter your card number like any other credit card.

Outside Costco, you use the card like any other Visa card. It works at restaurants, gas stations (earning 4% only at Costco gas stations, 1% elsewhere), hotels, and any other business that accepts Visa. There are no special restrictions or categories to track — the card automatically applies the right cash back rate based on where you swipe it.

Comparing this card to other Costco and warehouse options

Costco also offers a Costco Anywhere Visa card through American Express, which has similar cash back rates but works differently. The Amex version earns 4% at Costco gas, 3% at Costco warehouses, 2% at restaurants and travel, and 1% elsewhere — the same as the Citi card. However, the Amex card has a $120 annual fee and is not accepted everywhere Visa is accepted (some smaller merchants only take Visa or Mastercard, not Amex).

If you do not want to pay an annual fee, you can use a regular Costco membership card and pay with a different rewards card that earns cash back on groceries. Many cards earn 2% to 5% on grocery purchases without an annual fee, though they may not earn as much at Costco gas stations. The choice depends on how much you spend at Costco versus other stores, and whether the annual fee saves you money in the long run.

What happens to your rewards and account

Your cash back balance grows throughout the year as you make purchases. You can check your balance anytime by logging into your Citi account online or calling the customer service number on the back of your card. In December, Citi automatically applies your cash back as a statement credit or mails you a check — you do not have to do anything to claim it.

If you close the card before the year ends, you still receive your cash back for the purchases you made up to that point. However, you lose any cash back you would have earned in the remaining months. If you decide the card is not worth the annual fee, you can cancel it anytime without penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Costco membership to use this card?

Yes. You must be a Costco member to open the card, and you need to show your membership card when you use the Citi card at the warehouse. If your membership expires, you cannot use the card at Costco until you renew.

Can I use this card at other warehouse clubs like Sam's Club?

No. The card only earns the higher cash back rates at Costco. At Sam's Club or other retailers, you earn 1% cash back like you would on any other purchase.

What if I do not spend much at Costco — is the card still worth it?

Probably not. If you spend less than $1,500 per year at Costco, the $65 annual fee will likely cost more than you earn in cash back. A regular rewards card with no annual fee might serve you better, even if it earns a lower percentage at grocery stores.

Can I earn cash back on my Costco membership fee?

No. The cash back rewards only explore to purchases you make at Costco, not to the membership fee itself. Your membership fee is separate.

How long does it take to receive my cash back?

Cash back is paid once per year, usually in December. It arrives as a statement credit or check within a few weeks of that date. You cannot redeem it more frequently or on demand.