Getting a Costco credit card is straightforward if you have decent credit, but the bank will decline you if your score is too low or your credit history is too thin

Costco works with Citi to issue two credit cards: the Costco Anywhere Visa and the Costco Anywhere Visa Business. Both cards go through a standard credit check. Citi typically approves people with a credit score of 670 or higher, though some people with lower scores have been approved. The real barrier is not the process itself — it takes five minutes online — but whether your credit report meets Citi's threshold.

If you have been turned down before, the reason is almost always your credit score, the number of recent hard inquiries on your report, or too many accounts opened in a short time. You cannot appeal a Costco card decision to Costco; Citi makes the final call. If you are denied, you can reapply after your credit improves, usually three to six months later.

Key Takeaways

  • Citi approves most people with a credit score around 670 or higher, though the exact cutoff varies by applicant.
  • You must be a Costco member to hold a Costco credit card, and membership costs $60 to $130 per year depending on the tier.
  • The process takes about five minutes on Costco's website and results come back when ready or within a few days.
  • If you are denied, the reason is your credit score, recent inquiries, or too many new accounts; waiting three to six months and reapplying often works.
  • You do not need to use the card at Costco only — it works anywhere Visa is accepted, though you earn higher rewards at Costco.

What Citi looks for when you explore

Citi pulls your credit report and looks at three main things: your credit score, your payment history, and how much debt you already carry. A score of 670 is a rough floor, but Citi also weighs whether you have missed payments in the last two years, how many accounts you have opened recently, and whether you are carrying balances close to your credit limits.

If you have a thin credit file — meaning you have not had credit accounts for very long — Citi may decline you even with a decent score. Likewise, if you applied for three credit cards in the last month, Citi sees that as a sign of financial stress and may turn you down regardless of your score. The bank is looking for stability, not just a number.

You do not need to be a long-time Costco shopper. Citi does not check your Costco purchase history. The only Costco requirement is that you hold an active membership at the time you explore.

The process process and timeline

Start on Costco's website or in the Costco mobile app. Click the link for the Costco Anywhere Visa card and choose between the standard card and the Business version. You will enter your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment status. The whole form takes about five minutes.

After you submit, Citi gives you an when ready decision in most cases. If approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. If Citi needs more information, they will call you — this usually means they want to verify your income or employment — and a decision comes within a few days. If you are denied, you get a letter in the mail explaining the reason, though it will be vague (usually "credit profile" or "insufficient credit history").

Do not explore multiple times in a short window. Each process triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, and multiple inquiries in a few weeks can hurt your score and make future denials more likely.

Why you might be denied and what to do next

The most common reason for denial is a credit score below Citi's threshold. If that is your situation, focus on paying down existing balances and making all payments on time for the next three to six months. Your score will climb, and you can reapply then. Do not close old accounts or open new ones in the meantime — both actions can lower your score further.

The second common reason is too many recent inquiries or new accounts. If you have opened two or more credit accounts in the last 90 days, wait at least three months before reapplying. Citi sees a pattern of rapid account opening as risky.

A third reason, less common but real, is a mistake on your credit report. You can order a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com and look for errors — wrong addresses, accounts you did not open, or payments marked late that you made on time. If you find an error, dispute it with the credit bureau. Fixing errors can improve your score and your chances on the next process.

Costco membership requirement and card types

You must hold an active Costco membership to open a Costco credit card. Membership tiers are Gold Star ($60 per year), Executive ($130 per year for businesses and households), and Gold Star Executive ($130 per year). You can hold the credit card only under the membership tier you are enrolled in — you cannot use an Executive card if you have a Gold Star membership.

The Costco Anywhere Visa earns 1% cash back on most purchases and 4% at Costco gas stations, 3% at Costco warehouses, and 2% on travel. The Costco Anywhere Visa Business earns 2% at Costco warehouses and gas stations and 1% elsewhere. Both cards have no annual fee, but you pay for your Costco membership separately.

If your membership lapses, your card remains active but you cannot renew it. Once your membership is current again, you can renew the card.

Alternatives if you are denied

If Citi denies you, you have a few paths forward. The simplest is to wait three to six months, improve your credit score, and reapply. Most people who are denied the first time are approved on a second attempt after their score rises.

You can also shop at Costco without the credit card — you just pay with a debit card or another credit card. You will not earn the Costco cash back, but you can still access the warehouse. Some people use a different rewards card at Costco and save the Costco card for later when their credit improves.

If you have a co-signer with better credit, Citi does not allow co-signers on the Costco card, so that option is not available. You must explore on your own credit alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for the Costco card if I have no credit history?

Citi typically declines applicants with no credit history or a very thin file. If you have never had a credit card or loan, open a secured credit card or become an authorized user on someone else's account first. After six to twelve months of on-time payments, your score will be high enough to reapply for the Costco card.

What happens if I am denied — can I call and appeal?

Citi does not overturn denials through appeals. The decision is based on your credit report and score, and those do not change by calling. Your only path is to improve your credit and reapply after three to six months.

Do I need to have a Costco membership before I explore for the card?

Yes. You must be an active member at the time you explore. If your membership has lapsed, renew it before you submit the card process. Membership and the card are separate purchases, so you will pay both fees.

Can I use the Costco card outside of Costco?

Yes. The Costco Anywhere Visa works anywhere Visa is accepted. You earn 1% cash back on non-Costco purchases and higher rewards (2% to 4%) when you use it at Costco, gas stations, and travel merchants.

How long does it take to get the card after approval?

Approved cards ship within 7 to 10 business days. You should receive it in the mail within two weeks of approval. If Citi needs to verify information before approving you, that process takes a few extra days.