The Costco Anywhere Visa card gives you 4% cash back on gas, but only at Costco gas stations and a few other places

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by American Express offers 4% cash back on gas purchases, but that 4% only applies at Costco gas stations. If you fill up at Shell, Chevron, Exxon, or any independent gas station, you earn 1% cash back instead — the same rate you get on most other purchases.

The card also gives you 4% cash back at gas stations operated by Costco warehouses in Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. For most cardholders in the United States, though, "may be able to access gas" means Costco gas pumps only.

This matters because the difference between 4% and 1% adds up quickly. On a $60 fill-up, you earn $2.40 at Costco but only $0.60 elsewhere — a $1.80 difference per tank. Over a year, that gap can be substantial if you have a long commute or drive frequently.

Key Takeaways

  • The 4% cash back rate applies only at Costco gas stations, not at any other gas station or fuel pump.
  • Gas purchased at non-Costco stations earns 1% cash back, the same as general purchases.
  • You must be a Costco member to use the Costco gas station, so membership is a separate requirement from the credit card.
  • The card also earns 4% at Costco warehouses themselves and 3% at restaurants and travel, making it most valuable if you shop at Costco regularly.

Why Costco limits the 4% rate to its own gas stations

Costco gas stations are a membership benefit, not a profit center. The company prices gas below market rate to keep members coming back — the warehouse itself is where Costco makes money. By restricting the highest cash back rate to Costco pumps, the card incentivizes you to use that benefit.

This is also why the card requires a Costco membership. You cannot use the Costco Anywhere Visa at a Costco gas station without an active membership card, even if you have the credit card in your wallet. The two are linked but separate.

How to earn 4% on gas with this card

You must pump gas at a Costco warehouse location. When you insert your Costco Anywhere Visa at the pump, the card automatically recognizes the merchant code and applies the 4% rate. You do not need to do anything special — the rate is automatic.

The card works at Costco gas stations in the United States and at Costco locations in Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. If you travel internationally and use the card at a Costco gas pump abroad, you will earn 4% on that purchase as well, though foreign transaction fees may apply depending on your card agreement.

What counts as 1% cash back instead

Any gas station that is not a Costco warehouse earns 1% cash back. This includes major chains like Shell, Chevron, BP, Exxon, Mobil, and Speedway, as well as independent stations, truck stops, and gas pumps at grocery stores or convenience stores.

The 1% rate also applies to other fuel purchases. If you buy diesel at a truck stop or propane at a hardware store, those transactions earn 1% cash back as well. The card treats all non-Costco fuel the same way.

Other cash back rates on the Costco Anywhere Visa

The card structure is tiered. You earn 4% at Costco warehouses (on anything you buy there), 4% on gas at Costco pumps, 3% at restaurants and on travel purchases (including hotels, airfare, and rental cars), and 1% on everything else.

The 3% restaurant and travel rate is worth noting if you eat out or travel frequently. A $100 dinner earns $3 cash back, and a $500 hotel stay earns $15. These rates apply regardless of which credit card network the merchant uses, so a restaurant that takes Amex earns 3% just as a Visa-accepting restaurant would.

Annual fee and membership cost

The Costco Anywhere Visa charges an annual fee. The amount varies — Costco periodically adjusts it — so check your card agreement or Costco's website for the current fee. You also need an active Costco membership, which costs money separately and renews annually.

Whether the card makes financial sense depends on how much you shop at Costco and how often you buy gas there. If you visit Costco weekly and fill up at the pump each time, the cash back on gas alone may offset part of the annual fee. If you rarely use Costco gas, the card is less valuable.

How cash back works and when you receive it

Cash back accrues as you use the card and appears as a statement credit on your monthly bill. You do not receive a check or transfer — the credit simply reduces what you owe. If you carry a balance, the cash back still applies to your statement, but you pay interest on the remaining balance.

Cash back does not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the card, any unredeemed cash back is typically forfeited, so keep that in mind if you are considering canceling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Costco credit card at a gas station that is not Costco?

Yes, you can use the card at any gas station. You will earn 1% cash back instead of 4%, but the card is accepted everywhere Visa is accepted. The 4% rate is exclusive to Costco pumps.

Do I need a Costco membership to get the credit card?

You need a Costco membership to use the card at Costco gas stations and to shop at the warehouse. However, you can hold the card without an active membership — you just will not be able to use the 4% gas benefit or shop at Costco until you renew.

What happens if I use the card at a Costco pump without a membership card?

The pump will not authorize the transaction. Costco requires a membership card to access the gas station, separate from the credit card. You must present both your Costco membership and your Costco Anywhere Visa to fill up.

Does the 4% rate apply to car washes or other services at Costco?

No. The 4% gas rate applies only to fuel purchases at the pump. Tire services, car washes, or other services at Costco earn 1% cash back. Purchases inside the warehouse earn 4%, but gas pump transactions are separate.

Can I earn cash back on Costco gift cards?

Yes. When you buy a Costco gift card at the warehouse using your Costco Anywhere Visa, you earn 4% cash back because the purchase happens inside the warehouse. The gift card itself does not earn cash back when someone else uses it.