If you are a Costco member, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is probably the cash-back card you have heard the most about. It pays strong rewards on gas, dining, travel, and Costco purchases, with no annual fee beyond your membership. But it is built for a specific kind of shopper and is not easy to qualify for. Here is the plain-English breakdown, with rates verified against Citi's disclosures.
| Issuer | Citibank, N.A. |
| Network | Visa (open-loop); doubles as your Costco membership card |
| Annual fee | None (requires a paid Costco membership) |
| Purchase APR | 18.74% to 26.74% variable (Citi, June 2026) |
| Penalty APR | Up to 29.99% |
| Cash advance | $10 or 5%, whichever is greater |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
| Late fee | $30, then $41 within 6 billing cycles |
| Rewards | 5%/4% gas, 3% dining and travel, 2% Costco, 1% else |
| Welcome bonus | None |
| Typical credit limit | Reported $500 minimum to ~$11,900+ |
| Credit score | Typically 750+ (excellent) |
| Reports to | Experian, TransUnion, Equifax |
What Is the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi?
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is the official co-branded card for Costco members, issued by Citibank, N.A. It doubles as your Costco membership card and works anywhere Visa is accepted, not just inside the warehouse. Citi reports your account to all three major credit bureaus.
You need an active Costco membership to hold the card. For members who shop frequently and fuel up at Costco gas stations, the rewards can add up meaningfully over a year.
Cash-Back Rates
The rewards structure is where this card stands out. As of June 2026, it earns 5% cash back on gas and EV charging at Costco, and 4% on other eligible gas and EV charging, up to $7,000 in combined gas and EV spend per year (then 1%). It earns 3% on restaurants and eligible travel, 2% on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com, and 1% on everything else. There is no welcome bonus on this card.
If fuel is a big part of your budget, our roundup on how to get cash back and rewards for gas compares other strong options. The catch is redemption, covered next.
The Annual Redemption Quirk
Cash back is paid once a year as a single reward certificate, issued after your February billing statement closes, redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses. You cannot tap your rewards month to month, which can feel limiting if you value flexible, ongoing redemptions. A rotating-category card like the Chase Freedom Flex instead pays cash back you can redeem any time. For steady Costco shoppers, though, the high gas and dining rates often make up for the once-a-year payout. Diners comparing options may also like our guide to the best credit cards for eating out.
APR and Fees
Fees are simple here. As of June 2026, there is no annual fee for the card as long as you keep a paid Costco membership, so your membership effectively covers it. There is no foreign transaction fee, which makes it useful abroad. Cash advances cost $10 or 5%, whichever is greater, and a late payment runs $30 (then $41 on another late payment within six billing cycles).
On interest, Citi reported a variable purchase APR of 18.74% to 26.74% as of June 2026, set with the Prime Rate; the CFPB Cardmember Agreement discloses the rate as Prime plus a margin assigned at application. A penalty APR of up to 29.99% can apply if you pay late. APRs vary by creditworthiness. As with any rewards card, the value disappears quickly if you carry a balance. Terms and conditions apply.
What Credit Do You Need for the Costco Anywhere Visa?
Here is the honest part. The Costco Anywhere Visa generally requires good to excellent credit, with reported approvals clustering around a 750 or higher score. Applying is a hard inquiry that can ding your score slightly. Approved cardholders report credit limits ranging from a $500 minimum up to around $11,900 or more for strong profiles; these are community-reported figures and your offer depends on your income, debts, and overall credit. You also need an active Costco membership before you can carry the card, so this is not a starter card for someone early in their credit journey.
Alternatives Worth Considering
If you want premium unlimited rewards without a Costco membership requirement or an annual redemption certificate, the Robinhood Gold Card earns 3% cash back on every purchase with no foreign transaction fee, redeemable on your own schedule rather than once a year. It is available to Robinhood Gold members, so you open it through your Robinhood brokerage account, which makes it a fit if you already have strong credit and want flexibility the Costco certificate does not offer.
Robinhood
Robinhood
Robinhood is a trading platform that brings stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, crypto, and retirement accounts together in one app.
Standout feature
One platform for stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, and crypto
Fees
$0 commission on stocks, ETFs, and options.
Pros
Zero-commission trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
Cons
Best perks (high APY, lower margin rates) require Gold subscription ($5/month)
Not in the Costco card's approval range yet? The Aspire Mastercard is a common stepping-stone if approval is your concern, unsecured with no security deposit, accepts 580+ FICO, and reports to all three bureaus, so the on-time history you build is what unlocks premium cards like this in about 12 months.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
You can track your score for free as it grows with tools like Creditship.ai.
Who Should Get the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi?
The Costco Anywhere Visa fits best if you are a regular Costco member with good to excellent credit who pays the balance in full each month. The 5% gas and 3% dining rates can deliver real value for the right household, and the lack of a foreign transaction fee is a quiet bonus for travelers.
It is a weaker fit if you do not shop Costco often, want monthly access to your rewards, or are still building credit. In those cases, an unsecured starter card like the Aspire Mastercard is a better starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Costco membership to get the card?
Yes. The Costco Anywhere Visa requires an active Costco membership, and the card doubles as your membership card. There is no separate annual card fee beyond your membership, as of June 2026.
How do I redeem Costco Anywhere Visa cash back?
Cash back is paid once a year as a reward certificate after your February statement closes. You can redeem it for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses. Citi may change redemption terms, so check your agreement.
What is the APR on the Costco Anywhere Visa?
Citi reported a variable purchase APR of 18.74% to 26.74% as of June 2026, with a penalty APR up to 29.99% for late payments. The CFPB Cardmember Agreement sets the rate as Prime plus a margin assigned at application. There is no foreign transaction fee. APRs vary by creditworthiness.
What credit score and limit can I expect for the Costco Anywhere Visa?
Citi generally looks for good to excellent credit, with reported approvals around 750 or higher, and limits ranging from a $500 minimum to roughly $11,900 for strong profiles. These are community-reported figures. If your credit is still developing, an unsecured starter card such as the Aspire Mastercard is usually an easier place to start, with on-time payments supporting your score over time.
