Costco Citi Card vs Chase Sapphire: Which Wins?

Two Popular Cards, Two Very Different Goals

The Costco Citi card vs Chase Sapphire question comes up a lot, and for good reason. Both are well known, but they are built for different people.

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is a no-annual-fee cash-back card issued by Citibank, made for Costco members and everyday spending. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a travel rewards card issued by JPMorgan Chase with a $95 annual fee, built for people who travel often and want flexible points.

This comparison breaks down rewards, fees, and perks in plain language. Figures are verified as of June 2026; terms and conditions apply, and APRs vary by creditworthiness.

Side by Side at a Glance

Rewards: Cash Back vs Travel Points

The two cards earn in completely different ways.

The Costco Anywhere Visa earns:

• 5% back on gas purchased at Costco
• 4% back on other eligible gas and EV charging on up to $7,000 combined per year, then 1%
• 3% back on restaurants and eligible travel, including Costco Travel
• 2% back on Costco and Costco.com purchases
• 1% back on everything else

The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, with elevated rates on travel booked through Chase Travel and on dining, plus a refresh effective June 15, 2026 that adds 3x points on gas and EV charging and 3x on vacation-home stays at brands like Airbnb and Vrbo.

The big difference is flexibility and redemption. Costco rewards arrive once a year as a certificate redeemed at the warehouse after your February statement, so you cannot cash out monthly. Chase points are worth about 1 cent each toward travel through Chase Travel (a 25% boost over base) and can transfer to airline and hotel partners, which often unlocks more value per point for travelers.

Annual Fees, APR, and Sign-Up Offers

Fees and bonuses can tip the decision quickly.

The Costco Anywhere Visa has no annual fee, but it requires an active Costco membership, which starts at $65 a year for the Gold Star tier. It charges no foreign transaction fee. Its purchase APR is 18.74% to 26.74% variable as of June 2026 (based on the 6.75% Prime Rate and your creditworthiness), and a penalty APR may apply after a late or returned payment. There is no sign-up bonus.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred charges a $95 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee, with a variable purchase APR set at application. Important timing: Chase is discontinuing the Sapphire Preferred welcome bonus for new applicants on or after June 15, 2026, so confirm whether any bonus is live before you apply. The same refresh doubles the annual Chase Travel hotel credit to $100. If you are weighing premium travel options, our Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Capital One Venture breakdown digs deeper.

Travel Perks and Protections

This is where the Chase Sapphire Preferred pulls ahead for frequent travelers.

The Sapphire Preferred includes trip cancellation and interruption coverage and primary rental car coverage in many cases, plus transferable points that can stretch further on flights and hotels. These protections can save real money on a single trip gone wrong, though it pays to know what trip cancellation insurance covers before you count on the card alone, since covered reasons and caps vary.

The Costco Anywhere Visa keeps things simpler. It offers strong everyday cash back, no foreign transaction fee, and Visa Signature network protections, but it is not designed as a travel card. It also requires you to be a Costco member, and the once-a-year reward certificate is less flexible than points you can use anytime.

Who Should Pick Which Card?

The choice comes down to how you spend. Both cards generally call for good to excellent credit; reported approvals tend to cluster around scores of 720 and up, and both report to all three major bureaus.

Pick the Costco Anywhere Visa if you are a loyal Costco member, you want cash back with no annual fee, and you like the simplicity of an annual reward certificate. It shines on fuel (5% at Costco gas, 4% on other gas up to $7,000 a year) and on warehouse runs.

Pick the Chase Sapphire Preferred if you travel several times a year, you want flexible transferable points, and you value strong travel insurance. Just check the current welcome-offer terms given the June 15, 2026 change.

If your credit is already strong and you want flexible rewards without a Costco membership or a travel focus, a card like Robinhood's earns on all purchases and can be a simpler everyday fit.

If your credit is still growing and neither premium card is realistic yet, start with an accessible card that reports to all three bureaus so you can build toward them. The Aspire Mastercard is an unsecured card with no security deposit that earns up to 3% cash back while it reports your payments. A free tool like Creditship.ai can help you monitor your progress as you work up to cards like these.

Making Your Decision

There is no single winner here. The right card is the one that matches your spending and your goals.

If most of your budget runs through Costco and gas stations, the cash-back card likely wins. If you travel and want flexible points with strong protections, the travel card likely wins. Some people carry both and use each where it pays the most. With either card's high variable APR, pay in full each month so interest does not erase your rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a Costco membership for the Costco Citi card?

Yes. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi requires an active Costco membership, which starts at $65 a year for the Gold Star tier. If your membership lapses, you can no longer use the card, so factor the membership into your decision.

What is the APR on each card?

The Costco Anywhere Visa has a variable purchase APR of 18.74% to 26.74% as of June 2026, based on creditworthiness, with a penalty APR possible after a late payment. The Chase Sapphire Preferred's variable APR is set at application; both charge interest if you carry a balance, so pay in full to protect your rewards.

What credit score do you need for these cards?

Both generally call for good to excellent credit, and reported approvals tend to cluster around scores of 720 and above. Both report to all three major bureaus, and neither charges a foreign transaction fee.

Which card earns better rewards on gas?

The Costco Anywhere Visa earns 5% at Costco gas and 4% on other eligible gas and EV charging on up to $7,000 a year, then 1%. After the June 15, 2026 refresh, the Sapphire Preferred earns 3x on gas, so compare based on your spending and how you redeem.