The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Thursday, March 28, 2024

7 Costco Credit Card Benefits & Alternatives (March 2024)

Costco Credit Card Benefits
Eric Bank

Written by: Eric Bank

Eric Bank
Eric Bank

Eric Bank is an M.B.A. who has covered financial and business topics since 1985, appearing regularly on Credible, eHow, WiseBread, The Nest, Zacks, Chron, BadCredit.org and dozens of other outlets. Eric specializes in taking complex subject matters and explaining them in simple terms for consumer audiences, particularly in the world of personal finance. Eric holds a Master's in Business Administration from New York University and a Master's in Finance from DePaul University.

See full bio »

Edited by: Jon McDonald

Jon McDonald
Jon McDonald

Jon leverages 15-plus years of journalism expertise to inform financial consumers about emerging trends and companies making an impact in the industry. He is most knowledgeable in the areas of budgeting, credit card rewards, and responsible credit use. Jon has a passion for writing and editing, and his articles have appeared in publications produced by The New York Times.

See full bio »

Reviewed by: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker
Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

See full bio »
Advertiser Disclosure

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers a range of rewards for purchases inside and outside of Costco stores, which may create a sense of loyalty among cardholders. This card encourages shopping at Costco, where I frequently purchase 24-packs of my favorite beverages and bulk paper products.

Citibank issues Costco credit cards in the United States and Puerto Rico. In March 2022, the CIBC Costco Mastercard® replaced the Capital One Costco Mastercard® in Canada. The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce currently issues these cards.

The Citi Costco credit cards come in two varieties — business and consumer. Both types provide similar benefits, catering to the needs and preferences of consumers and companies. Let’s take a deeper dive into the key benefits these cards provide.

1. Generous Cash Back Rewards

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi earns you cash back on myriad purchases. You can collect the top cash back rate on the first $7,000 per year spent on eligible purchases, including gas at Costco. 

Eligible travel purchases and dining also earn a high cash back rate. You receive a lower bonus rate on purchases from Costco and Costco.com and a standard cash back rate for all other purchases.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi Review

at the issuer’ssecure website

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★

4.6

OVERALL RATING

  • Discover one of Citi’s best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
  • 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
  • No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases
  • Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
20.49% (Variable)
$0
Excellent

Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.

Your cash back earnings rack up during the calendar year. Costco awards you once per year through a cash rewards certificate. You receive the certificate for the previous year’s rewards with your February billing statement. You can redeem it at any Costco store for cash or merchandise.

You must have a Costco membership to receive the cash back rewards. You’ll forfeit any unredeemed rewards if you cancel your membership. Citi designed the rewards plan to encourage continued Costco membership and frequent card use.

2. Low Fees

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is well-known for its modest fees, which is one of its most appealing aspects. The card doesn’t charge an annual fee, but you must remain a Costco member and pay the yearly membership fee.

The card does not impose a foreign transaction fee, so it is an attractive option for international travel. In contrast, many credit cards charge a 3% fee for purchases you make outside the United States.

The card has fees for balance transfers and cash advances in line with industry standards. The card also has a returned payment fee and an overdue payment fee. 

Costco membership details screenshot
You must purchase a Costco membership separately.

This is a Visa credit card with a variable annual percentage rate (APR) for purchases. It offers no introductory 0% APR promotion for balance transfers or new investments. You will avoid interest charges by always paying your monthly bill in full.

3. Card Convenience

Citi designed this credit card for Costco members with convenience in mind. A prominent feature is that the card also acts as your Costco membership card. This double-duty means the card includes your photograph and membership number, essentially combining two cards into one.

This dual functionality is evident every time you visit a Costco store. You can enter the warehouse by showing your Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi just as you would with a regular Costco membership card. 

When it’s time to check out, you can use the same card to charge your purchases. In other words, using the card as both a membership and payment tool saves space in your wallet and increases the efficiency of your shopping trips to Costco.

4. Travel Benefits

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers several travel benefits, including the following:

  • Generous cash back on travel purchases: You earn bonus cash back rewards on domestic and international travel. This includes expenses such as travel agencies, airline tickets, car rentals, hotels, cruise lines, and Costco Travel. 
  • No foreign transaction fees: The card charges no foreign transaction fees, which international travelers will appreciate. Many competing cards assess this fee on foreign purchases. 
  • Travel and emergency assistance: The card gives you access to emergency travel assistance. This service can help you with lost luggage, legal referrals, medical referrals, and other emergencies.
  • Car rental insurance: You’re eligible for vehicle rental insurance when you pay with your Costco card. This coverage includes vehicle damage and theft, subject to specific conditions and terms.
  • Travel accident insurance: The card offers travel accident insurance against accidental dismemberment or death when traveling. The insurance covers claims resulting from boarding, traveling on, or disembarking from a common carrier (e.g., trains, airplanes, buses, etc.). You must pay the entire travel fare with your Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi to be eligible for this insurance. 
  • Roadside assistance dispatch service: The Costco card dispatches roadside assistance if you encounter car trouble. This feature is helpful when you lock yourself out of your vehicle, have a flat tire, need a tow, or run out of gas. You must pay for any service you receive.
  • Damage and theft protection: This benefit protects items you purchase with the card against damage and theft, including items you buy when traveling.

Some benefits, particularly insurance coverage, come with specific conditions, terms, and exclusions. You’ll want to review the card’s benefit guide for all the details. 

5. Costco Purchase Protection

The card protects your Costco purchases against damage and loss. This chart summarizes the Costco Purchase Protection Benefit, revealing how it covers your purchases, the scope of coverage, and what limits and processes to expect.

DETAILEXPLANATIONWHY IT’S IMPORTANT
Coverage TypeProtection against theft, damage, or loss of purchases.Ensures peace of mind by safeguarding your new purchases, adding a layer of security beyond the store’s return policy.
Coverage PeriodTypically, 90 to 120 days from the date of purchase.Provides a safety net for your purchases during the initial period when they are most susceptible to damage or theft.
Claim LimitsThe maximum amounts you can collect in a year are limited by item. Limits vary.You’ll know how much you’ll have to pay out of pocket.
Eligible ItemsOnly items you buy with the card are eligible. You can use the card more frequently to protect more items.
ExclusionsThe card doesn’t cover certain items and types of damage or loss, such as normal wear and tear or natural disasters.You know your exposure to unpaid costs.
Claim ProcessYou must file a claim within a specific period after the incident.You don’t want to forfeit the benefit by filing late.
Extended WarrantyExtends the manufacturer warranty on purchased items.Reassures you when you are buying an item with a warranty.

As you can see, the Citi Costco card takes purchase protection seriously.

6. Security

Citi designed the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi with several security features that protect you from unauthorized use and fraud, including the following:

  • Fraud monitoring: Citi continually watches your account for unauthorized activity. If it uncovers questionable transactions, it may contact you for verification.
  • Zero liability for unauthorized charges: You do not have to pay for unauthorized charges on your card. You should quickly advise Citi of a stolen or lost card or transactions you didn’t make. 
  • EMV chip technology: The card boasts EMV chip technology, which helps protect you against counterfeiting when you use it at chip-enabled terminals.
  • Citi® Identity Theft Solutions: Citi offers expert assistance if you suffer identity theft. It will help you fix the issue, increase credit monitoring, and place fraud alerts on your card.
  • Virtual account numbers: Citi lets you generate a virtual account number. This feature enables online shopping without exposing your actual card number.
  • Costco mobile app: This app lets you manage your account, view transactions, check balances, and receive instant activity alerts. It also enables you to freeze a stolen or lost card.
  • Contactless payment: This Visa card enables contactless payments through a quick tap on a compatible terminal. This method can prevent a thief from stealing your card’s information.

These features ensure that you can use your Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi safely and securely.

7. Business Owner Option

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi helps small business owners who shop at Costco save money. It has enhanced business-related benefits and rewards, allows primary cardholders to add employees as authorized users, and includes tools for business expense tracking.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi

This card is currently not available.

★★★★★

N/A

OVERALL RATING

N/A
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.

The credit limits for the business version of this card have the potential to be higher, accommodating larger-scale business expenses. The consumer and business versions have few differences, except for the business cards’ provision for employee cards.

Alternative Cards With Comparable Benefits

The following three cards offer various benefits, many of which are missing from the Costco card. Remember that you can’t use any of these alternative cards as an identification card for a Costco membership.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Review

at Chase’ssecure website

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.49%-28.49% Variable
$95
Good/Excellent

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provides trip cancellation insurance that also covers you for delays and interruptions. It packs a handsome welcome bonus and many other perks despite its reasonable annual fee. Its starting credit limit is $5,000, but it may offer a much higher amount to some cardowners.

Suppose your trip gets cut short or canceled by severe weather, sickness, or other covered situations. In that case, the card can reimburse your pre-paid travel expenses for up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Coverage includes passenger fares, hotels, and tours.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America’ssecure website

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
  • Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishing purchases.
  • If you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
  • No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% – 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • Contactless Cards – The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%)
18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is the bank’s best credit card for consumers who want some control over the card’s highest rewards categories. It is a tiered cash back credit card that lets you choose the top-tier membership rewards category for purchases. Your selection may include online shopping, gas stations, travel providers, restaurants, drug stores, and home furnishing stores. 

You can choose a different category once each calendar month or leave it unchanged indefinitely. This card is eligible for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program, which can boost your reward rates by as much as 75%. It also offers introductory 0% balance transfer and purchase promotions.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card Review

at the issuer’ssecure website

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★

4.7

OVERALL RATING

4.7/5.0
  • Earn $250 back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year on purchases (then 1%). Also earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
  • Earn 3% cash back on transit, including U.S. gas stations, taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more. All other purchases earn 1% cash back.
  • $120 Equinox Credit – Use your Blue Cash Preferred Card to pay for Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com and receive $10 in monthly statement credits. Enrollment required.
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR applies
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 12 months
N/A
18.49% – 29.49% Variable
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Excellent Credit

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is an excellent option for consumers who want generous cash back rewards. You earn a high rate at US supermarkets (up to a set annual amount of purchases) and on streaming services. The card also offers bonus cash back at select department stores and gas stations. Its standard rate applies to other purchases. 

The card comes with a signup offer in addition to cash back. You can earn a bonus after spending a set amount on purchases within the first three months of card membership. The card charges an annual fee, but many cardholders consider the high reward rates to offset this cost. Additionally, it offers new members an introductory 0% APR on purchases for a set period after account opening.

How Do Costco Credit Cards Work?

The Costco cards are co-branded, open-loop credit cards you can use to shop anywhere. They are Visa cards, the only payment network Costco accepts in its stores. You need a Costco membership to get and keep these cards, which explains why the cards charge no annual fee.

You can apply for a Costco credit card online by providing your membership number, personal information, and financial data, including your total annual income and monthly mortgage or rent payment. You can also add authorized users when applying for the card.

Citi, Costco, and Visa logos
Citi, Costco, and Visa have partnered to offer two co-branded Costco credit cards.

Citibank, the card issuer, evaluates applications according to its credit standards. The bank does this for all its cards, including the Citi Double Cash® Card and others covered on our Citi credit card review page. The bank will perform a hard credit inquiry when you apply, which will shave a few points off your credit score. 

Citi also reviews your income and debts when assessing your application. You must be 18 and a resident of the US or Puerto Rico to qualify for these cards. The business card requires you to have a business account with Costco.

Upon approval, the issuer will assign you a credit limit based on your annual income and debt. The minimum credit limit is $500, but the card may limit cash advances to a portion of your credit line. 

After you receive approval and activate your card, Costco will automatically bill your membership fee and charge the cost to the credit card.

Each Citi Costco Visa card has an interest-free grace period between the end of the billing period and the payment due date. You’ll avoid interest charges on purchases by paying your entire balance before the grace period ends. There is no grace period for cash advances and balance transfers.

card terms and conditions example
Your credit card’s grace period can be found in your cardholder agreement or terms and conditions documentation.

Costco and Citi come down hard on cardmembers who fail to make the minimum payment by the due date. The issuer will slap you with a late payment penalty fee. Even worse, the card will saddle you indefinitely with a penalty APR that is almost double the regular interest rate

In-Store Shopping

When you arrive at the Costco checkout line, you’ll need both your Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi and your membership card. Costco’s in-store and online shopping rewards are surprisingly modest. The rewards for gas purchases, including those at Costco, are more generous, but only up to the annual cap.

Shopping Outside of Costco

Ironically, Costco credit cards offer better rewards for shopping elsewhere. You can use the cards anywhere merchants accept Visa cards. 

The card provides only 1% cash back on gas purchased at superstores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and warehouse clubs other than Costco or for fuel used for non-automobile purposes. 

Similarly, you won’t collect the restaurant bonus rate on purchases made at bakeries and certain restaurants and cafes inside department stores, grocery stores, or warehouse clubs. Nor will you receive the travel bonus reward rate for purchases at timeshares, campgrounds, bed & breakfasts, or train and commuter travel.

Reward Redemption

Costco has its own ideas about reward redemptions. Virtually all credit cards pay your rewards as you earn them, one month at a time. Instead, the Costco cards pay out your cash back annually once your February billing statement closes. Your reward balance covers transactions that occurred between January through December.

Certain purchases do not earn cash back rewards, including:

  • Balance transfers
  • Cash advances
  • Interest and account fees
  • Items returned for credit
  • Lottery tickets, gaming chips, and similar betting transactions
  • Traveler’s checks, foreign currency purchases, money orders, wire transfers, and similar cash-like transactions
  • Unauthorized charges
  • Use of checks that access your card account

You will receive your cash back as a credit card reward certificate. However, if you’ve accumulated more than $10,000 in cash back, Citi may send you a check or transfer the money electronically. 

You can redeem your reward certificate for Costco merchandise through December 31 of the year the certificate is issued in a single transaction at any Costco store. If you redeem only a portion of your rewards for merchandise, you’ll receive the remainder as cash, a check, or via electronic payment. Only the card owner receives the rewards earned by authorized users.

If you close your card account, you’ll forfeit any rewards not already distributed. You’ll also lose your cash back if you don’t redeem it by December 31.

What Credit Score Do You Need to Get a Costco Credit Card?

Costco markets its cards to consumers with excellent credit. FICO defines an excellent credit score as being between 800 and 850.

fico score ranges
Citi advises that an excellent credit score is required to get a Costco credit card, which is considered 800 or higher on the FICO scale.

As is often the case, a score above this threshold doesn’t guarantee approval, and a lower score may still receive approval. 

Your credit score is just one factor that Citi uses to decide whether to approve your application. The bank also considers your ability to pay based on your assets, income, and debts. If your credit score is currently below 700, you may want to work on improving it before applying for a Costco credit card. 

You can boost your score by making all payments on time, reducing your debt, and removing mistakes from your credit reports.

How Much Do the Costco Credit Cards Cost?

The annual fee for a Costco credit card is $0. But you’ll have to fork over the money for a Costco membership before applying for the card. The basic Gold Star Membership costs $60 a year and you receive a free household card with this membership. 

You’ll also spend $60 a year to get a Business Membership, which is necessary if you want the Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi. You can add employees as authorized users to the card, but each employee must also have a membership.

Costco business rewards screenshot
Businesses can increase cash back earnings by adding employees as authorized users.

For $120 a year, you can get a Costco Executive Membership that offers savings on the suite of Costco third-party services and products, such as life insurance. It also provides an annual 2% reward on Costco purchases, separate from the credit card rewards. You’ll qualify for lower costs on services that include check printing, auto buying, roadside assistance. You also receive a monthly edition of Costco Connection magazine.

Do You Get Free Costco Membership With Either of Its Credit Cards?

It’s the other way around. The Costco credit cards have no annual fee, but you’ll have to pay for  a Costco membership before applying for a Costco credit card.

This arrangement begs the question: Is a Costco membership worth the cost? About 90 million Costco members have already voted yes, but if you are on the fence, you may want to consider these factors:

  • You’ll want to live within a convenient driving distance of a Costco store.
  • You may not do enough bulk buying to offset the membership fee if you live alone. You generally need to spend about $600 a year at Costco to break even.
  • You’ll need a vehicle big enough to transport bulk items and a large home to store them.
  • You refill your gas tank frequently and are near a Costco gas station.
  • Ask yourself whether you mind shopping in crowded stores.
  • You need a Visa credit card or cash to shop at a Costco warehouse.
  • You may not be interested in the third-party offerings, such as life insurance.

An executive membership gives you 2% cash back each year, apart from your credit card rewards. You’ll also save money on certain services.

For those who want to shop at Costco but don’t want to be members, you have a few options:

  • Have a member pick up some Costco Cash Cards (a type of gift card) for you. You can use these cards to shop at Costco and Costco.com without a membership.
  • Confine your Costco shopping to online only. However, non-members will pay 5% more for the privilege and don’t have access to lower, store-only prices. Shipping takes three to five days, and you can’t order perishables online.
  • Shop via Instacart. A personal Costco shopper will deliver your groceries if the service is available in your area. Instacart prices are higher than those for members who shop in-store.
  • Shop for Costco items that don’t require membership, such as alcohol, prescriptions, eye exams, and goodies from the Costco food court.

You may save more at your local grocery store if you are a dedicated coupon clipper, as Costco doesn’t accept manufacturer coupons. Also, Amazon.com offers Subscribe & Save that will shave 15% off items, including bulk items, to be delivered automatically at set intervals.

Do Costco Cards Provide Travel Insurance?

The Costco credit cards do not offer travel insurance or other travel benefits. But they do offer cash back rewards when you make eligible travel purchases. In addition, Costco members (not necessarily Costco card owners) can access deals through Costco Travel, where they can buy travel insurance at a discounted price.

Costco Travel can save you money through deals on flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, and vacation packages.

Costco travel screenshot
A Costco membership provides you with access to Costco’s platform for discounted travel deals.

The Costco cards are not travel cards. If you are looking for travel benefits, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card instead. It is a Visa credit card with a moderate annual fee and plenty of travel perks, including travel insurance.

Does the Costco Business Credit Card Report to Your Personal Credit?

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi reports your payment activity to your personal credit file at Experian. This procedure is not unusual for credit cards aimed at owners of small businesses. 

You benefit from cards reporting your payments to a consumer credit bureau if you adopt creditworthy behavior  —  pay your bills on time, keep your credit utilization ratio below 30%, and remove errors from your credit reports. 

However, this is a moot point for Costco business card owners since an excellent credit score is required. On the other hand, if you own the card and miss payments, you could harm your credit score. 

Are Costco Credit Cards Worth It?

We have already discussed the merits of Costco membership. But a separate question is whether the Costo cards are the best Visa cards for Costco shoppers.

The cards offer mediocre cash back rewards for Costco and Costco.com shopping (except for eligible gas purchases, which provide a better reward rate). They are somewhat more competitive for shopping elsewhere, and their other benefits are limited compared with the alternatives reviewed above.

Costco storefront
A Costco credit card may be worth it if you regularly shop at the retailer, particularly its gas stations. Image source: Costco.com.

On the positive side, the cards don’t charge an annual fee or a foreign transaction fee. And their cash back rates for eligible gas, restaurant, and travel purchases are reasonable.

If you are a fan of both Costco and Citibank, you may find these cards worth the price of a Costco membership.

Compare Costco Credit Card Benefits to Alternative Options

If you have the excellent credit required by Citibank, the issuer of the Costco credit cards, you have access to just about any card on the market. You owe it to yourself to compare Costco credit card benefits with those from competitor cards. 

There’s little downside to owning the cards since they are free (assuming you’d be a Costco member in any event). However, there is an opportunity cost if you use these cards when others would better fit your needs and lifestyle. 

If you frequently shop and fill your tank at Costco, these cards make a lot of sense. If you want travel benefits and don’t enjoy waiting a year to collect your rewards, you can do better by seeking out an alternative credit card.

Advertiser Disclosure

CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.