Who Issues the Costco Credit Card

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card is issued by Citibank, N.A. While the card carries Costco branding and cash back rewards, all financial operations including credit decisions, billing, payments, and customer service are handled by Citi.

Citi has issued the Costco Anywhere Visa Card for several years as the exclusive credit card partner for Costco members. The card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted, both a personal and business version are available. Apply at costco.com or citi.com, and a paid Costco membership is required.

Costco Wholesale is a membership only warehouse retailer headquartered in Issaquah, Washington. It partners with Citibank to offer the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, which replaced Costco’s previous American Express partnership.

Who Issues the Costco Anywhere Visa Card

Who Issues the Costco Anywhere Visa Card

The partnership between Costco and Citi has grown into one of the most widely discussed co branded cards in the industry, largely because of the annual cash back structure and the requirement that applicants already hold a paid membership.

Citibank, N.A. is the chartered bank that extends credit and holds every account opened under the Costco Anywhere Visa Card program. Citi has served as Costco’s exclusive card issuer since the partnership began, following Costco’s earlier relationship with American Express, which ended when Citi took over as the exclusive card partner.

Because a paid Costco membership is required to apply, the card sits in an unusual category among co branded cards, tying credit access directly to membership status at the retailer rather than being open to any applicant.

What Citi Does for Costco

Citi manages underwriting, statement mailing, the online account portal, and customer service for Costco Anywhere Visa cardholders, while Costco focuses on membership benefits and warehouse operations tied to the card’s rewards structure.

Citi distributes annual cash back rewards after each cardholder’s February billing statement closes, a distribution schedule that differs from the monthly or continuous rewards posting used by many other cash back and travel cards.

Costco Anywhere Visa Card Features

Cardholders should review the current rewards categories and annual limits listed on the official Citi Costco page, since terms such as the EV charging and gas rebate caps can be updated periodically.

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card offers 5 percent cash back on gas at Costco and 4 percent on other eligible gas and EV charging purchases up to a set annual limit, along with 3 percent on restaurants and eligible travel, and 2 percent back on general purchases made at Costco warehouses and on Costco.com.

The card carries no annual fee beyond a paid Costco membership and includes no foreign transaction fee, though it does not offer a sign up bonus at account opening, which sets it apart from many other travel and cash back cards currently on the market.

How Costco Compares to Other Warehouse and Retail Cards

Warehouse club shoppers who also hold cards from other large retailers sometimes compare the Costco card’s annual rewards distribution against issuers that credit rewards monthly, since the timing can affect how quickly earned cash back rewards actually become usable throughout the year.

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card’s membership requirement is a distinctive feature compared to most co branded retail cards, such as the Citibank Credit Card, which does not require any separate membership to apply.

Consumers comparing Costco against other large retailers with co branded cards should note that unlike many store cards, the Costco Anywhere Visa can be used anywhere Visa is accepted rather than being limited strictly to purchases made at a single retailer or brand.

Applying for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card

Independent financial publications such as NerdWallet and U.S. News regularly review the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, which can help prospective applicants weigh it against other rewards cards currently available before actually applying.

Applicants can apply for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card through the official Citi Costco card page, which lists fees, rewards rates, and eligibility details, including the required paid Costco membership.

Because approval and credit limits depend on individual credit history, applicants should review the specific terms before applying, since Costco membership alone does not guarantee credit card approval or a specific starting credit limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the Costco card always issued by Citi?

No. Costco previously partnered with American Express for its co branded card before switching to Citi, which has issued the Costco Anywhere Visa Card since that transition.

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

Yes. A paid Costco membership is required to apply for and maintain the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, since the card is tied directly to membership status at the warehouse retailer.

How can I talk to Costco Anywhere Visa Card customer service?

Cardholders can reach Costco Anywhere Visa Card customer service through the phone number listed on the back of their card or through the Citi online account portal that is specifically associated with the Costco Anywhere Visa program.

What is the Costco Anywhere Visa Card payment address?

The correct mailing address for payments appears on each monthly billing statement and inside the online account. Cardholders can also confirm the current address through the official Citi Costco card page.

What are the requirements to get the Costco credit card?

Issuers generally review income, existing debt, and credit history when deciding on an application, and federal rules limit what information a card issuer can request. Full detail on these protections is available from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

How do I make a Costco Anywhere Visa Card payment?

Payments can be made online through the Citi account portal, by mail using the address on the monthly statement, or by phone. Enrolling in autopay helps cardholders avoid a missed due date and any resulting late fee.

How do I make a Costco Anywhere Visa Card payment by phone?

Cardholders can make a payment by phone by calling the customer service number listed on the back of their card and following the automated payment prompts, or by speaking with a representative directly during normal business hours for additional help.

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