What credit cards work at Costco?
Costco warehouses only accept Visa credit cards for in-store purchases. You can also pay with debit cards (any network), cash, checks, Costco Shop Cards, and EBT. Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit cards are not accepted at Costco registers. However, Costco.com accepts all major credit card networks including Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.
Is the Costco credit card worth it?
Yes, for most Costco members the Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi is worth it. It earns 4% on gas (up to $7,000 per year), 3% on restaurants and eligible travel, 2% on all Costco purchases, and 1% on everything else with no annual fee beyond the Costco membership. If you spend $200 per month at Costco and $150 per month on gas, you would earn roughly $500 or more per year in cash back.
Can I use Mastercard at Costco?
No, Mastercard credit cards are not accepted at Costco warehouses. Costco has an exclusive agreement with Visa for credit card acceptance. However, you can use a Mastercard debit card at Costco since all debit networks are accepted. Online at Costco.com, Mastercard is accepted along with Visa and Discover.
What is the best Visa card to use at Costco?
The Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi is the best Visa for Costco because it earns 2% on all Costco purchases, 4% on gas, and 3% on restaurants. For members who want simplicity, the Wells Fargo Active Cash earns 2% on everything including Costco with no membership requirement tied to the card. Both are Visa cards accepted at all Costco locations.
How does the Costco Anywhere Visa compare to other cash back cards?
The Costco Anywhere Visa offers 4% on gas, 3% on restaurants, 2% at Costco, and 1% everywhere else. Compared to flat-rate cards like the Wells Fargo Active Cash (2% on everything), the Costco card wins on gas and dining but loses on non-Costco everyday purchases. The main drawbacks are that rewards are paid only once per year in February as a certificate redeemable at Costco, and you must maintain a Costco membership.
When do Costco card rewards pay out?
Costco Anywhere Visa rewards are issued once per year in February as a reward certificate. The certificate arrives with your February billing statement and can be redeemed for cash or merchandise at any Costco warehouse. You cannot redeem rewards throughout the year or apply them as a statement credit. This annual payout cycle is one of the biggest drawbacks compared to other cash back cards that let you redeem anytime.
What is the best gas card for Costco gas stations?
The PenFed Platinum Rewards earns 5x points on gas at all stations including Costco, beating the Costco Anywhere Visa's 4% rate. However, PenFed points are worth approximately 0.85 cents each, making the effective rate around 4.25% -- still higher than the Costco card but closer than it appears. The Costco card's 4% on gas is simpler since rewards are a straight percentage with no point valuation math.
Does the Costco Executive vs Gold Star membership affect the credit card?
No, the Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi works the same regardless of whether you have a Gold Star ($65) or Executive ($130) membership. The credit card rewards rates are identical for both tiers. However, Executive members earn an additional 2% back on Costco purchases through their membership (separate from the card), which stacks with the card's 2% for an effective 4% back at Costco. For heavy Costco shoppers spending $500 or more per month, upgrading to Executive plus using the Costco Visa maximizes total rewards.
