What the Costco Citi Visa Card is and who can get one
The Costco Citi Visa Card is a credit card issued by Citi that you can use at Costco warehouses and online, as well as anywhere Visa is accepted. You must be a Costco member to hold the card — if you are not a member, you will need to join Costco first. The card is free to open and has no annual fee.
Citi handles the credit decisions and account management. Costco handles the membership requirement and the rewards program. When you explore, Citi will check your credit history and income to decide whether to approve you. There is no minimum credit score published, but most people approved have fair credit or better.
Key Takeaways
- You earn cash back on Costco purchases and gas, with higher rates at Costco warehouses than anywhere else.
- The card has no annual fee, but you must maintain an active Costco membership to use it.
- Cash back is paid as an annual Costco Shop Card that arrives in the mail, not as a statement credit or direct deposit.
- You can explore online at Costco.com or in person at a warehouse, and approval usually takes a few minutes.
- If you close your Costco membership, your card will stop working, even if your credit account remains open.
Cash back rates and where you earn them
The card earns 2% cash back on all Costco warehouse purchases and Costco.com orders. It earns 1% cash back on gas purchased at Costco gas stations. Outside Costco — at restaurants, travel, and other retailers — it earns 1% cash back on everything else.
The 2% rate applies only to purchases made with the physical card at a Costco warehouse or through the Costco website. If you use the card number online at a non-Costco merchant, you earn 1%. Gas stations that are not Costco-branded earn 1%, even if you are a Costco member.
Cash back is not paid monthly or as a statement credit. Instead, Citi mails you a Costco Shop Card once a year, usually in December, with your total cash back balance loaded onto it. You can use this card only at Costco warehouses and Costco.com. If you do not spend the balance before the card expires, you lose it.
how the process works and what you need
You can explore online at Costco.com or in person at a Costco warehouse. Online is faster — you fill out a short form with your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment status. Citi usually approves or denies you within minutes. In-warehouse applications take longer because a Costco employee must process the paperwork, but you can walk out with a temporary card number the same day.
You will need a valid government ID and proof of address. If you explore online, you can upload these documents or provide them in person later. If you do not have a Costco membership yet, you can join at the same time you explore for the card. Membership costs $60 for a standard Gold Star membership or $120 for an Executive membership, and the card process does not affect that cost.
Citi will perform a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. If you are denied, you can ask Citi why and reapply after addressing the issue — for example, paying down existing debt or waiting for negative marks to age off your report.
Annual fees and other costs
The Costco Citi Visa Card itself has no annual fee. However, you must pay for your Costco membership to use the card. A Gold Star membership costs $60 per year, and an Executive membership costs $120 per year. If your membership lapses, your card will stop working, even if your credit account is still active.
The card charges interest on balances you do not pay in full each month. The current interest rate varies based on your creditworthiness and market conditions — Citi does not publish a single rate. You can call the number on the back of your card to ask what your rate is before you carry a balance.
There are no foreign transaction fees, so you can use the card internationally without a penalty. However, Visa's exchange rate applies, which is usually close to the market rate but not identical.
How to use the card and manage your account
You can use the card at any Costco warehouse or on Costco.com by entering your card number. You can also use it anywhere Visa is accepted — restaurants, gas stations, online retailers, and other merchants. The card works like any other credit card: you receive a monthly statement, make a payment by the due date, and pay interest on any balance you carry.
You can manage your account online through Citi's website or mobile app. You can view your balance, make payments, set up automatic payments, and read statements. You can also call the customer service number on the back of your card to speak to a representative about your account, disputes, or lost cards.
If you lose your card, call Citi when ready. They will cancel it and mail you a replacement, usually within 7 to 10 business days. You can request a temporary card number to use online while you wait.
Comparing this card to other Costco payment options
Before the Citi card, Costco members could only use a Costco-branded American Express card. That card is no longer issued to new members, though existing cardholders can keep it. The Citi Visa card is now the only co-branded card Costco offers.
You do not have to use a Costco card at all. You can pay with any Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card at the warehouse. You can also pay with cash, a debit card, or a Costco Shop Card. The only advantage of the Citi card is the cash back — if you do not value that, another card may suit you better.
If you shop at Costco infrequently or spend very little there, the cash back may not offset the cost of membership. A standard membership costs $60 per year, so you would need to earn at least $60 in cash back annually to break even. At 2% back, that means spending at least $3,000 per year at Costco warehouses.
What happens to your cash back and your account
Your cash back balance accumulates throughout the year and is mailed to you as a Costco Shop Card in December. The Shop Card is valid for two years from the date it is issued. If you do not use the full balance within two years, the remaining amount expires and cannot be recovered.
If you close your Costco membership, your Citi card will stop working when ready, even if you still have an active credit account with Citi. You will not be able to use it at Costco or anywhere else. If you rejoin Costco later, you can reactivate the card by calling Citi or visiting a warehouse.
If you close your Citi credit account, your Costco membership is not affected — you can still shop at Costco, but you will need to pay with a different payment method. Your cash back balance will be mailed to you as a Shop Card if you have any balance remaining.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Costco Citi Visa card outside of Costco?
Yes. You earn 1% cash back on purchases at restaurants, gas stations, and other retailers anywhere Visa is accepted. You earn 2% only at Costco warehouses and Costco.com, and 1% at Costco gas stations.
What if I do not spend my cash back before the Shop Card expires?
The Costco Shop Card is valid for two years. Any balance you do not spend within that time expires and cannot be recovered or transferred. Set a reminder to check your balance before the expiration date.
Do I need a Costco membership to explore for the card?
You must be a member to hold the card, but you can join at the same time you explore. If you do not have a membership, you will need to pay the membership fee ($60 or $120 per year, depending on the tier) in addition to any credit card costs.
What is the credit limit on the Costco Citi Visa card?
Citi sets your credit limit based on your credit score, income, and credit history. There is no published minimum or maximum. You can call Citi to ask what your limit is or to request an increase after you have held the card for several months.
Can I still use my old Costco American Express card?
If you already have a Costco American Express card, you can keep using it. Costco no longer issues new American Express cards, so the Citi Visa is the only new co-branded option available. Both cards work at Costco, but only the Citi card works outside Costco.