You need a Costco membership first, then you apply through Costco's website or in-warehouse

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card is issued by Citi, but you cannot get it without an active Costco membership. The membership comes first — you pay either $65 for a Gold Star membership or $130 for an Executive membership, and that membership must be active before you submit a credit card application. Once you have the membership, you can apply online at Costco.com, through the Citi website, or in person at a Costco warehouse.

The application itself takes about 10 minutes online. Citi will ask for your Social Security number, income, employment status, and current debts. You will get a decision within minutes in most cases — either approved, denied, or pending further review. If you are approved, your card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.

There is no annual fee for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card itself, but you are paying for the Costco membership separately. That membership fee is not waived by having the card.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have an active Costco membership before you can get the Costco credit card — the membership fee ($65 or $130) is separate from the card.
  • You can apply online at Costco.com, through Citi's website, or in a warehouse, and most decisions come back within minutes.
  • The card earns 2% cash back on Costco purchases and gas, 1% on all other purchases, with no annual fee.
  • Your credit score matters — Citi typically approves applicants with scores in the mid-600s or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score.

What Costco membership level you need

Costco offers two membership tiers that both work with the credit card: Gold Star ($65 per year) and Executive ($130 per year). The credit card itself does not require the Executive tier — either membership works. The difference is what you get from the membership itself, not from the card.

Gold Star members pay the base fee and get warehouse access. Executive members pay double and receive an annual 2% reward on may have access to Costco purchases (capped at $1,000 per year). The credit card's cash back is separate from the membership reward — they stack. If you are an Executive member using the credit card, you earn both the card's cash back and the membership's 2% reward on the same Costco purchase.

You can renew or start a membership at any Costco warehouse, online at Costco.com, or by phone. New memberships are active immediately if you pay in person or online.

How to apply online or in-warehouse

The online route is fastest. Go to Costco.com, find the credit card offer, and click to apply. You will be taken to Citi's application page. Fill in your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, annual income, employment status, and current debts (mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, student loans). The form takes about 5 to 10 minutes.

If you prefer to apply in person, walk into any Costco warehouse and ask a membership desk employee for a credit card application. They will hand you a paper form or direct you to a kiosk. You fill it out on the spot, and the warehouse staff will submit it for you. You still get a decision within minutes.

Citi may also contact you by phone or email if they need more information before making a decision. This usually happens if your income or employment status is unclear, or if you have recent negative marks on your credit report. Respond within the timeframe they give you — typically a few days — or your application may be denied.

What happens after you are approved

Once Citi approves you, your card is mailed to the address on your application. Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. You can use the card as soon as it arrives — no activation call is required, though you can call the number on the back of the card if you want to confirm it is active.

Your credit limit is set by Citi based on your credit score, income, and debt. First-time applicants often receive $1,000 to $5,000, though limits vary widely. You can request a higher limit after you have used the card for a few months and made on-time payments.

The card earns 2% cash back on all Costco purchases (in-warehouse and online at Costco.com), plus 2% on gas purchased at Costco gas stations. You earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. Cash back is paid as an annual reward certificate mailed to you once a year, usually in December. You can use the certificate at any Costco warehouse.

Credit score and approval odds

Citi does not publish a minimum credit score for the Costco card, but applicants with scores around 650 or higher have a reasonable chance of approval. Scores below 650 are not automatically denied, but approval becomes less likely. Citi also looks at your income, employment history, and existing debts — a low score with high income and no recent missed payments may still be approved.

If you are denied, Citi will mail you a notice explaining the reason. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, too many recent credit inquiries, high debt-to-income ratio, or negative marks on your credit report (late payments, collections, bankruptcy). You can reapply after 6 months, or sooner if you have fixed the issue (paid down debt, resolved a dispute).

If you are approved but with a low credit limit, use the card for small purchases and pay the full balance every month. After 6 months of on-time payments, request a credit limit increase. Citi usually grants increases without a hard inquiry if your payment history is clean.

If you do not have a Costco membership yet

Start by getting a membership. You can sign up online at Costco.com, by phone, or in person at a warehouse. You will need a valid ID and a payment method (debit card, credit card, or cash). The membership is active immediately online or in person. Once it is active, you can apply for the credit card the same day.

If you are not sure whether a Costco membership is worth it for you, visit a warehouse first. Costco allows non-members to walk in and look around, though you cannot make purchases without a membership. Many people find the membership pays for itself in a few months if they buy groceries, gas, or household items regularly.

Comparing the Costco card to other options

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card has no annual fee and earns 2% on Costco and gas purchases. If you shop at Costco regularly, this is a strong match. If you rarely visit Costco, a general cash back card (like the Citi Double Cash or Capital One Quicksilver) may be better — they earn 1.5% to 2% on all purchases without requiring a membership.

The Costco card is also a Visa, so it works everywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Costco. You earn 1% on non-Costco purchases, which is lower than some competitors but still useful for everyday spending.

One trade-off: the Costco card's cash back comes as an annual certificate, not a monthly deposit. You cannot transfer it to a bank account or use it outside Costco. Other cards offer more flexibility — cash back that hits your account monthly or can be transferred to a bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the Costco credit card without a membership?

No. Citi will not issue the card without proof of an active Costco membership. You must pay for the membership ($65 or $130) before you apply for the card. The membership fee is separate and is not waived by having the card.

How long does it take to get approved?

Most decisions come back within minutes of submitting your application online or in-warehouse. If Citi needs more information, they will contact you by phone or email within a few days. Your physical card arrives 7 to 10 business days after approval.

What credit score do I need?

Citi does not publish a minimum, but applicants with scores around 650 or higher have a reasonable chance. Lower scores are not automatically denied — Citi also weighs income, employment, and debt. If you are denied, you can reapply after 6 months or if you have improved your credit.

Can I use the card outside Costco?

Yes. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card works anywhere Visa is accepted. You earn 1% cash back on non-Costco purchases and 2% on Costco and gas. The cash back comes as an annual certificate that you use at Costco.

What if I am denied?

Citi will mail you a notice with the reason — usually low credit score, insufficient history, high debt, or negative marks. You can reapply after 6 months, or sooner if you have fixed the issue. In the meantime, focus on paying down debt and making all payments on time.