Costco Credit Card Account Review: Is It Worth It?

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The Costco Credit Card Account is a popular option for frequent Costco shoppers, offering a range of benefits and rewards that can add up to significant savings.

You can earn 4% cashback on eligible gas purchases, 3% on dining, and 2% on travel and other purchases, with no rotating categories or spending limits.

The annual percentage rate (APR) on purchases is 14.99%, which is relatively high, but you can avoid interest charges by paying your balance in full each month.

However, if you're carrying a balance, the APR jumps to 22.99%, which can add up quickly.

The card also offers a $0 annual fee for the first year, which can be a great incentive to sign up.

Rewards and Benefits

The Costco credit card account offers a range of rewards and benefits that make it a great option for those who frequent the warehouse club.

One of the standout features of the card is its high cash-back rates on gas purchases, with 4% cash back on eligible gas and electric vehicle charging purchases, and 5% cash back on gas at Costco.

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You can earn up to 3% cash back on restaurants and most travel purchases, making it a great option for those who travel frequently.

The card also offers 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Here are some key benefits of the card:

  • No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • One of the highest rates for gas purchases available
  • Eligible travel and dining earning rates provide more value for the card

Overall, the Costco credit card account offers a solid rewards program that can help you save money on your everyday purchases.

Rewards on Spending

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi offers some fantastic rewards on spending. You can earn 5% cash back on gas purchases at Costco, which translates to $350 back a year if you hit the $7,000 spending limit.

The card also offers 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle charging purchases, 3% on restaurants and most travel purchases, 2% back at Costco and Costco.com, and 1% back on all other purchases. This is a great opportunity to earn rewards on your daily expenses.

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One of the best things about this card is that it doesn't limit you to just Costco purchases. You can use it for any purchase, and still earn rewards. This makes it a very versatile card to have in your wallet.

Here's a breakdown of the rewards rates:

Keep in mind that you can only redeem your cash back once per year, in February, and you'll receive your rewards as a credit card reward certificate.

Welcome Bonus

The Citi Costco Anywhere Visa Card offers some great benefits, but one thing to keep in mind is that there is no public sign-up bonus. However, Costco members may be eligible for an exclusive bonus when opening a Costco membership.

If you're not seeing a targeted bonus online, you can always try applying in-store at Costco and asking if you're eligible.

Doesn't Provide Up-Front Value

The Costco Anywhere Visa card doesn't provide up-front value, which can be a drawback for some cardholders.

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It doesn't offer a sign-up bonus, unlike many other retail credit cards. This means you won't get any extra cash or rewards just for signing up.

The card's intro APR is also lacking, which can hurt its up-front value. Intro purchase APRs on shopping cards are particularly useful for holiday shopping and other instances when you want to carry a balance for several months and save on interest.

You might be wondering if there's any way to get a bonus, but unfortunately, the Citi Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi doesn't offer a public sign-up bonus.

Account Security and Protection

Having a Costco credit card account comes with a range of security features to protect your finances.

You can instantly shut down your card if you can’t find it with Citi Quick Lock, and then just as easily turn it back on again when you locate it. This feature provides peace of mind when traveling or in crowded areas.

Some credit cards offer $0 liability on unauthorized charges, such as the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi, giving you extra protection against fraudulent transactions.

A fresh viewpoint: Citi Smith Barney

Secure

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Having a secure account is crucial in today's digital age, and many credit cards offer robust protection measures to safeguard your finances.

Some credit cards offer $0 liability on unauthorized charges, such as the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi.

This means that even if your card is lost, stolen, or compromised, you won't be held responsible for any unauthorized transactions.

Citi Quick Lock is another feature that lets you instantly shut down your card if you can't find it, and then just as easily turn it back on again when you locate it.

Other credit cards, like the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card, also offer robust security measures to protect your account.

Here are some credit cards that offer secure features:

  • Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi: $0 liability on unauthorized charges and Citi Quick Lock
  • Wells Fargo Active Cash Card: robust security measures
  • Citi Custom Cash Card: robust security measures
  • Citi Double Cash Card: robust security measures

Bank

The bank behind the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is Citi, a well-established financial institution.

Citi is known for offering a range of financial products and services, including credit cards, loans, and deposit accounts.

Expand your knowledge: Close Citi Credit Card Account

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The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is issued by Citi and is designed to reward cardholders for their purchases at Costco and other merchants.

Citi's partnership with Costco allows cardholders to earn rewards on their purchases at Costco, including 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com.

Here's a breakdown of the rewards offered by the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi:

Citi's regular APR for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is 19.74% - 27.74% (Variable), which is relatively high compared to other credit cards.

Overall, Citi's involvement in the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is a key factor in the card's rewards and benefits.

Fees and Costs

The Costco credit card account has a range of fees and costs to consider. The $60 annual fee for a Costco membership is a must-have to qualify for the card. This fee can be worth it if you already shop at Costco or plan to use the card's benefits.

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You'll also need to pay attention to interest charges on outstanding balances, as well as cash advance and balance transfer fees. These fees can add up quickly, so it's essential to pay your balance in full each month. The good news is that there's no annual fee for the Costco credit card itself, making it a relatively affordable option.

Apr

APR can be a bit confusing, but let's break it down. The intro APR is 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.

After the intro period, the variable APR ranges from 19.49% to 29.99%. There are different minimums and maximums, but the lowest minimum is 19.49% and the highest maximum is 29.99%.

One of the APRs is 21.49%, which is the minimum of 7.50 plus 13.99. Another APR is 20.99%, which is the minimum of 7.50 plus 13.49.

The highest minimum APR is 20.99%, while the highest maximum APR is 29.99%. The APR can also range from 20.49% to 27.49%, depending on the minimum and maximum values.

Annual Fees and Costs

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Annual fees can be a significant cost for credit card holders. The Chase credit card has a $550 annual fee, which is applied to the account.

Not all credit cards come with annual fees, however. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi has no annual fee, which is a great perk for frequent Costco shoppers.

Some credit cards charge extra for authorized users. The Chase credit card has a $75 fee for each authorized user, which can add up quickly.

Interest charges and fees on outstanding balances, cash advances, and balance transfers are common costs associated with credit cards. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi charges interest on outstanding balances, as well as cash advance and balance transfer fees.

To get a credit card with no annual fee, you'll need to have a Costco membership, which starts at $60.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is a great travel companion because it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. This means you can use your card abroad without incurring an extra 3% fee.

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You'll save money on transactions made outside the US, which can add up quickly. For example, a $1,000 purchase would cost an extra $30 with a card that charges foreign transaction fees.

No foreign transaction fees is a significant perk, especially if you travel frequently. It's one less thing to worry about when you're abroad.

Financial Services and Features

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi has a regular APR of 19.74% - 27.74% (Variable), which is relatively high compared to other cash-back credit cards. This means that if you don't pay your balance in full each month, you'll be charged interest on your outstanding balance.

The card has no annual fee, which is a significant advantage for those who want to earn cash-back rewards without incurring additional costs. You'll need an active Costco membership to qualify for the card, however.

Here are the rewards rates for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi:

  • 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
  • 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
  • 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases

Benefits and Features

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The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi offers generous cash-back rewards in several spending categories, including Costco purchases.

You'll earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases worldwide on up to $7,000 in spending per year, and 3% back on all restaurants and eligible travel. This is a great option for those who commute to work or drive long distances.

The card also offers 2% back on Costco purchases and 1% back on everything else. This makes it a solid choice for those who shop at Costco regularly.

One of the benefits of this card is that it has no annual fee. This means you can use the card without worrying about an extra charge each year.

Here are the rewards rates in more detail:

  • 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases worldwide on up to $7,000 in spending per year, then 1% thereafter
  • 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
  • 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases

EV Charging Stations

You'll earn 4% cash back at EV charging stations with the Citi Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi for up to $7,000 in spending per year. This is one of the best credit cards for EV charging purchases.

Just note that this high cash back rate only applies to EV charging at gas stations.

Earning and Redeeming Rewards

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You can earn rewards on your Costco credit card by using it for purchases at Costco, gas stations, restaurants, and travel. The card earns a whopping 4 percent cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases on up to $7,000 in spending per year, then 1 percent.

To maximize your rewards, use your card for as many purchases as you can, especially at Costco and on bonus categories like gas, EV charging, restaurants, and travel. You'll earn 3 percent cash back on dining and travel purchases, and 2 percent back at Costco and Costco.com.

Your cash-back rewards are distributed once per year in February for the previous year, and you receive your rewards in the form of a credit card reward certificate. This certificate can then be redeemed at any Costco warehouse for cash or used as a payment method for Costco purchases.

Here are some key facts about redeeming your rewards:

  • You can only redeem your cash back once per year, after your February billing statement.
  • You'll receive your rewards as a single "credit card reward certificate."
  • You can redeem this certificate for purchases, cash, or a combination of the two before December 31st of that year.
  • If you don't redeem your rewards by December 31st, you forfeit those rewards.

It's worth noting that Costco has added an option for cardmembers who have earned $500 or more in rewards to redeem their rewards certificate as a direct deposit into a bank account.

Travel and Purchase Protections

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The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi offers excellent travel and purchase protections. You can purchase travel-related items with confidence, knowing you're covered.

Damage and theft protection is provided for eligible purchases, covering up to $1,000 per item and a total of $50,000 per calendar year. This protection applies within 120 days of purchase, or 90 days for New York residents.

Additionally, the card offers secondary rental car insurance, covering up to $50,000 in accidental damage to your rental car. This is a huge plus for frequent travelers. No foreign transaction fees mean you can use your card overseas without incurring extra charges.

Travel and Purchase Protections

Travel and Purchase Protections are a must-have when making big purchases or traveling abroad. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi offers excellent coverage for eligible purchases.

Damage and theft protection is included, covering up to $1,000 per item and a total of $50,000 per calendar year. This coverage is valid for 120 days from the date of purchase, except for New York residents who have 90 days.

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You can also rely on the card's rental car insurance, which covers up to $50,000 in accidental damage to your rental car. This is a secondary insurance, meaning it kicks in after any primary insurance you may have.

One of the benefits of this card is that it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for international travel.

The table below summarizes the key features of the Costco Anywhere Visa Card's travel and purchase protections:

To activate the rental car insurance, you'll need to waive the CDW at the rental agency counter. This will provide you with primary insurance when renting outside the US and secondary insurance when renting domestically.

Roadside Assistance

If you're a cardholder in the US, including Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, you'll have access to 24/7 roadside assistance.

This benefit covers a range of services, including towing and winching, jumpstart, and change of a flat tire (as long as you have a spare). You'll also be eligible for lock-out service and up to two gallons of gas delivered.

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The primary cardholder is the only one covered for this benefit, and they must be physically present with the car to use it. This means you can't share this perk with another driver who takes your vehicle out on their own.

Here's a breakdown of the services you can expect with this benefit:

  • Towing/winching
  • Jumpstart
  • Change of flat tire (you must have a spare)
  • Lock-out service (when the key is inside the vehicle)
  • Up to two gallons of gas delivered

Rosalie O'Reilly

Writer

Rosalie O'Reilly is a skilled writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. She has honed her expertise in a range of article categories, including Financial Performance Metrics, where she has established herself as a knowledgeable and reliable source. Rosalie's writing style is characterized by clarity, precision, and a deep understanding of complex topics.

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