If you are a Costco member, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is probably the cashback credit card you have heard the most about. It pays strong rewards on gas, dining, travel, and Costco purchases, all with no annual fee beyond your membership. But like any rewards card, it is built for a certain kind of shopper, and it is not the easiest card to qualify for. Here is the plain-English breakdown of the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi.
What Is the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi?
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is the official co-branded credit card for Costco members. It doubles as your Costco membership card and works anywhere Visa is accepted, not just inside the warehouse.
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, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi earns 5% cash back on gas at Costco and 4% on other eligible gas and EV charging up to $7,000 combined per year, then 1%. It earns 3% on restaurants and eligible travel, 2% on other Costco and Costco.com purchases, and 1% on everything else.
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. Cash back is paid once a year as a reward certificate after your February statement closes, redeemable for cash or merchandise at Costco in the U.S. Check Citi's website for current rates and redemption details, since reward terms can change.
The Annual Redemption Quirk
Because rewards come as a single annual certificate, you cannot tap your cash back month to month. If you value flexible, ongoing redemptions, that structure may feel limiting. 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 it. 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 with a paid Costco membership, so your membership effectively covers it.
On interest, the variable APR for purchases was reported at 18.74% to 26.74% as of June 2026, based on creditworthiness. A penalty APR of up to 29.99% can apply if you pay late. APRs vary by creditworthiness, so your rate depends on your credit profile. 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 Card by Citi generally requires good to excellent credit for approval. If your credit is new, thin, or recovering, you may be declined, and the hard inquiry from applying can ding your score slightly.
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.
Build Credit First With These Options
If the Costco Anywhere Visa is out of reach right now, the smart move is to build your credit with a credit builder card designed for that, then graduate to a rewards card later. These are made for people with no, low, or bad credit and are easier to qualify for, and a secured credit card is often the most accessible route in.
The Self Visa® Credit Card pairs a credit-builder account with a secured card, so you grow savings and credit history together. That makes it a strong fit if you want to establish a savings cushion and a record of on-time payments before applying for a card that expects good to excellent credit.
The Current Build Card ties a secured-style card to a spending account, reporting your good habits to the bureaus without a high APR risk. It fits well if you want banking and credit-building together in one app and would rather let everyday spending quietly build a positive payment history than carry a balance on a rewards card.
Current Build Card
Current Build Card
$0 annual fee. No minimum deposit required. No credit check required. 1 point per dollar on eligible categories. Reports to Experian, TransUnion, Equifax.
Fee
$0
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
1 point/dollar on eligible categories (with qualifying payroll deposit)
Benefit
No credit check, no deposit minimum
The Kikoff Secured Credit Card keeps the barrier low while reporting positive activity to the bureaus. It fits budget-minded builders who want a simple, low-cost way to add on-time payments to their credit file without a large deposit, making it an easy first step toward qualifying for a rewards card later.
For comparison, OpenSky offers a secured card with no credit check to apply, and Chime ties a secured-style card to a spending account, both reporting your good habits without a high APR risk.
Firstcard helps you compare these credit-building paths in plain English, including options for people rebuilding with a card for bad credit. Start there when you are ready.
Who Should Get the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi?
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi 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.
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, a credit-building card like the Self Visa® Credit Card or OpenSky is a better starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Costco membership to get the card?
Yes. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi 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 Costco warehouses in the U.S. Check Citi's website for current redemption details, since terms can change.
What credit score do I need for the Costco Anywhere Visa?
Citi generally looks for good to excellent credit for this card. If your credit is still developing, a secured option such as OpenSky or the Kikoff Secured Credit Card is usually an easier place to start building.
Can the Costco Anywhere Visa help build credit?
It can, when used responsibly, because Citi reports to the credit bureaus. On-time payments and low balances support your score over time, while late payments or high balances can hurt it. APRs vary by creditworthiness, and terms and conditions apply.
