What Bank Backs Costco Credit Card

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Costco's credit card is actually backed by a major bank, which is a key factor in its popularity. Citi is the bank that issues the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi.

The partnership between Costco and Citi has been a long-standing one. In fact, it's been over 20 years since Citi started issuing the Costco credit card.

This partnership has allowed Costco to offer its members a range of rewards and benefits. With the Citi-issued credit card, members can earn cashback rewards, travel benefits, and more.

Benefits and Features

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi offers a range of benefits and features that make it a compelling option for Costco members.

You can earn high ongoing cash-back rates in multiple categories, including 5% cash back on gas at Costco and 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle charging.

The card also earns 3% cash back on restaurants and most travel purchases, 2% back at Costco and Costco.com, and 1% back on all other purchases.

High Cash-Back Rates in Multiple Categories

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The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi offers high cash-back rates in multiple categories, making it a great choice for those who regularly spend on gas, restaurants, and travel.

You can earn 5% cash back on gas at Costco, which translates to $350 back a year if you hit the $7,000 spending limit.

Earning 4% cash back on gas and EV charging purchases elsewhere is also a great perk, and if you max out the annual cap, you'll earn $280 per year on gas alone.

The card also offers 3% cash back on restaurants and most travel purchases, with no spending cap, making it a solid choice for dining out and traveling.

Using the card for Costco and Costco.com purchases earns 2% cash back, which is still a decent rate, but not as generous as some other store credit cards.

Remember, you can only get the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi if you're a Costco member, and store memberships start at $65.

For more insights, see: Does Costco Gas Take Credit Cards

Leverage Perks and Protections

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The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi has a lot of perks and protections that can be really useful.

This card charges no foreign transaction fees, making it a great travel buddy. You'll also enjoy widespread international acceptance as a Mastercard.

Worldwide car rental insurance is included, which can provide peace of mind when renting a car abroad.

Travel and emergency assistance, as well as roadside assistance service, are also available.

Damage and theft purchase protection covers items purchased with the card if they're damaged or stolen within 120 days.

Alternative Options

If you have a separate flat-rate cash-back card that earns 1.5% back or 2% back on all purchases, it's better to use that one for spending outside of the Costco Anywhere Visa Card's bonus categories.

You may want to switch to that flat-rate card once you hit the annual spending limit on gasoline with the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, as your rewards rate will drop down to 1% after that.

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The Chase Freedom Flex card earns 5% back in rotating bonus categories on up to $1,500 per quarter, making it a strong alternative to the Costco card.

Keep in mind that the Chase Freedom Flex card's bonus categories may overlap with those offered by the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, but it also includes categories that the Costco card doesn't, like home improvement stores and streaming services.

If you have the Chase Freedom Flex card, be sure to check your bonus calendar to ensure you're earning the most rewards possible.

Rewards and Redemptions

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi offers high ongoing cash-back rates in multiple categories, including 5% cash back on gas at Costco and 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle charging.

Cardholders can earn 3% cash back on restaurants and most travel purchases, 2% back at Costco and Costco.com, and 1% back on all other purchases. This makes it a solid choice for buying gas and dining out.

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The card's rewards structure is designed to incentivize spending in specific categories, with a combined $7,000 in spending per year earning 5% and 4% rates, and then 1% thereafter. This means that cardholders can earn up to $350 back a year on gas purchases at Costco, and $280 annually on gas purchases from non-branded stations.

5/4 Cash Back

The 5/4 cash back rate on the Costco Anywhere Visa card is a game-changer. You can earn 5% cash back on gas at Costco and 4% on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging.

This rate is on a combined $7,000 in spend per year, and then 1% thereafter. That means if you buy gas solely from Costco, you could earn $350 back a year if you hit that spending limit.

The 5% and 4% earn on gas and EV charging is a great perk, especially if you're a frequent Costco shopper or EV owner.

Leverage Bonus Categories

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The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is a great choice for buying gas, earning 5% cash back at Costco gas stations and 4% back on gas and EV charging purchases elsewhere, on up to $7,000 in combined spending in those categories a year.

Using the card for gas purchases can earn you $280 per year on gas alone, not including the 1% back on any purchases in the category beyond that.

You can also use the card for restaurant and travel spending, which earns 3% back in both categories, with no spending cap.

Other store credit cards, like Amazon's Prime Visa, offer higher rewards rates when shopping within the brand, but the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi has an annual fee of $0.

However, if you typically do your grocery shopping at Costco, you might want to consider a different card that earns more than 2% back on those kinds of purchases.

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is a good option for Costco members, but you'll need to be a member to get the card, with store memberships starting at $65.

Redeeming Rewards on the Costco Visa Card

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The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi has a unique rewards redemption process. Cardholders receive a cash-back reward certificate once a year when the February billing statement closes.

You can redeem this certificate at any Costco store, making it especially useful for big-ticket items. However, the certificate isn't redeemable online.

If you've earned $500 or more in rewards, you can choose to redeem your certificate as a direct deposit into a bank account. This added flexibility is a nice perk.

You don't have to redeem your coupon for purchases; you can also turn it into cash at the customer service counter. This gives you more control over how you use your rewards.

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi has no annual fee, but you do need to be a Costco member to get the card. Store memberships start at $65.

If this caught your attention, see: Citi Bank Credit Card Reward Points Redeem

Expert Reviews and Comparisons

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is a top choice for many, thanks to its no annual fee and fantastic rewards rate. This card earns valuable cash rewards with every purchase, making it an excellent option.

You won't find another credit card with a rewards rate this high for EV charging purchases. This feature is a game-changer for those with electric vehicles.

For another approach, see: Synchrony Bank Credit Card Interest Rate

CostcoAnywhere Visa Business Card Benefits

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The CostcoAnywhere Visa Business Card is a great option for business owners who want to earn rewards on their purchases. You can earn 4% cash back on eligible gas purchases, 3% on restaurants and eligible travel, and 2% on all other purchases.

One of the standout features of this card is the ability to earn cash back rewards on travel purchases. This is especially useful for business owners who need to travel frequently for work.

The card also offers no foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for business owners who travel internationally. This can save you money on fees associated with international transactions.

You can earn a $500 cash bonus after spending $4,500 in the first 3 months. This can be a great incentive to use the card for your business expenses.

The card also offers a 0% introductory APR for 12 billing cycles, which can be helpful for business owners who need to make large purchases. This can give you some breathing room to pay off your balance without incurring interest charges.

If this caught your attention, see: Us Bank Software Credit Tracker Business Credit Card

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do you need to get a Costco card?

To get approved for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, you'll typically need a FICO score of 800 or higher. A good credit score can help you qualify for this cash-back card with no annual fee.

What is the limit on a Costco Credit Card?

The minimum credit limit for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card is $500, but you may qualify for a higher limit based on your creditworthiness.

Archie Strosin

Senior Writer

Archie Strosin is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a deep interest in financial institutions. His work often delves into the history and operations of Missouri-based banks, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of their roles in the local economy. A particular focus of his research is on Dickinson Financial Corporation and Armed Forces Bank, tracing their origins and evolution over the decades.

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