Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
How to Redeem Costco Credit Card Rewards of 2026: Your Complete Guide
July 1, 2025
.webp)
Understanding how to redeem Costco credit card rewards can help you maximize the value of your Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. This guide walks you through everything — the earning rates, the step-by-step redemption process, important deadlines, and expert tips to make the most of your annual reward certificate.
What Is the Costco Credit Card Rewards Program?
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers a tiered cash back program that rewards spending across everyday categories. As the primary cardholder, you earn rewards on purchases throughout the year — at Costco and beyond — which are then distributed as a single annual credit card reward certificate each February.
Here's the full earning structure:
- 5% cash back on gas at Costco
- 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging purchases
- Note: The 5% and 4% rates apply to a combined $7,000 in spending per year. After that, 1% applies.
- 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel, including Costco Travel
- 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
The card has no annual fee beyond your paid Costco membership, making it one of the most cost-effective cash back cards available for regular Costco shoppers.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "751", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Costco Members and Shoppers", "headerHint": "Generous Rewards"} ]]
What's New for Costco Rewards in 2026
A few things worth knowing before you redeem this year:
Your 2026 certificate covers 2025 spending. The year printed on your reward certificate reflects the year it was issued and is redeemable — not the year the rewards were earned. Rewards from your January through December 2025 statements are reflected in your 2026 certificate.
Direct deposit is now widely available. If your certificate is over $300, you can elect to have it deposited directly into your bank account via the Citi Mobile® App or Citi.com — no warehouse trip required. This is one of the most underused features of the program.
Certificates expire December 31, 2026. Unlike some rewards programs, Costco certificates do not give you a full year from the issue date. They expire on December 31 of the year they are issued. Don't let yours sit unused.
Executive Members receive a separate 2% Reward. The Costco Executive 2% Reward and the Citi Credit Card Reward Certificate are two different benefits — one comes from Costco, one from Citi. The Executive 2% Reward never expires, unlike the Citi certificate.
Costco Credit Card Rewards: Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Generous cash back on gas and EV charging (up to 5%)
- No annual card fee with a paid Costco membership
- Additional rewards stacking for Executive Members
- Multiple redemption options including direct deposit (for certificates over $300)
- Access to FICO® Score through the Citi Mobile® App
Cons:
- Rewards issued only once per year — no monthly cash back
- Limited redemption window (certificate expires December 31)
- Must maintain an active Costco membership
- Certificates cannot be redeemed at Costco.com, Costco Travel, or on the Costco mobile app
- Certificates cannot be used as payment on your Citi card account
- Accumulated rewards are forfeited if your membership lapses before the certificate is issued
Who Should Use This Program?
The Costco credit card rewards program is best suited for:
- Regular Costco shoppers who buy in bulk and make frequent warehouse visits
- Costco Executive Members who want to stack the 2% Executive Reward on top of card rewards
- High-volume gas purchasers who can maximize the 4–5% gas category
- Frequent restaurant diners who benefit from the 3% restaurant rate
- Travelers who book through Costco Travel and earn 3% back
- Patient savers who prefer an annual lump-sum reward over monthly credits
It is less ideal for cardholders who want flexible real-time redemption, those who shop primarily on Costco.com, or anyone who may not keep their Costco membership active through February.
How to Receive Your Reward Certificate
Your 2026 reward certificate is issued on or shortly after your February billing statement closing date. To be eligible, your account must be open and in good standing at the time of issuance, and you must have earned more than $1 in rewards during the prior calendar year.
There are three ways to receive your certificate:
By mail: If you're not enrolled in paperless billing, your certificate will be printed on the last page of your February paper statement.
By email: If you're enrolled in paperless, your certificate will arrive via email on or shortly after your February statement closing date.
Via the Citi Mobile® App: Even if you receive a mailed or emailed certificate, you can also access it directly in the app. Log in, tap your Costco Anywhere Visa card, and select "Access Certificate."
💡 Tip: If your February statement closes late in the month, you may not receive it until early March. Check your statement date if you're waiting and haven't seen it yet.
How to Redeem Your Costco Reward Certificate
Once issued, you have two primary redemption paths:
Option A: Redeem In Warehouse (Any Amount)
Bring your certificate — printed, emailed, or displayed on your phone — to any U.S. Costco warehouse, including Puerto Rico. Present it at the cash register (not the customer service desk, not self-checkout) when you're ready to check out.
- You can apply it toward a purchase and receive the remaining balance as cash
- You do not need to print the certificate — showing it on your mobile device is accepted
- If you lose your certificate, log into Citi.com or the app, request a replacement, and note that your previous barcode will be invalidated
⚠️ Important: Certificates cannot be redeemed at Costco.com, through the Costco mobile app, or for Costco Travel purchases.
Option B: Direct Deposit (Certificates Over $300)
If your certificate value exceeds $300, you can opt to have it deposited directly into your bank account — no warehouse trip needed. Here's how:
- Log into Citi.com or the Citi Mobile® App
- Navigate to your Costco Anywhere Visa card and tap View Details
- Scroll to your 2026 Costco Rewards Certificate and confirm the status reads Issued
- Select Direct Deposit
- Choose your linked bank account (or add one via Plaid — note that non-Citi accounts require two prior payments before they're eligible)
- Confirm and submit
Once processed, the funds will be deposited into your bank account. This is particularly useful for large certificates where carrying and spending the full balance in one warehouse trip isn't practical.
How to Maximize Your Costco Credit Card Rewards
Stack With Executive Membership
If you're an Executive Member, you earn an additional annual 2% Reward from Costco on top of your Citi card rewards. These two rewards are distributed separately but together represent a meaningful return on your Costco spending. The Executive 2% Reward is mailed approximately three months before your membership renewal date and never expires.
Focus Spending on Bonus Categories
The biggest rewards come from gas, restaurants, and travel. If you're maximizing the $7,000 gas cap with a mix of Costco and non-Costco fill-ups, you'll hit the highest earning tier. Putting restaurant and travel spending on this card instead of a lower-earning card is an easy way to grow your annual certificate.
Plan Large Purchases Before December 31
Rewards accumulate through December 31 each year. If you're considering a large Costco purchase — appliances, electronics, or a bulk order — making it before year-end ensures it counts toward your current certificate rather than rolling into next year's.
Use the Direct Deposit Option for Large Certificates
For certificates over $300, the direct deposit option gives you maximum flexibility. Rather than being forced to spend the full amount in one trip, you can deposit it and use the cash however you choose — including paying your card bill (though you'll need to redeem it as cash first, as certificates cannot be applied directly as a statement credit).
Track Your Balance Year-Round
Don't wait until February to wonder how much you've earned. You can monitor your rewards balance at any time through the Citi Mobile® App, Citi Online portal, or your monthly billing statements.
Important Dates and Deadlines
- January 1 — New rewards accumulation year begins
- December 31 — Annual rewards accumulation closes; all spending after this date rolls into next year's certificate
- February (statement close date) — Your 2026 reward certificate is issued by Citi
- ~3 months before your renewal date — Costco mails your Executive 2% Reward certificate (Executive Members only)
- December 31, 2026 — Certificate expiration deadline; unused rewards are forfeited after this date
⚠️ Don't miss the December 31 expiration. Unlike many reward programs, your certificate does not give you a rolling 12 months — it expires at the end of the calendar year it was issued. If you receive your 2026 certificate in February and don't use it by December 31, 2026, it is forfeited.
Use Kudos to Boost Your Rewards
While the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card offers excellent returns in its bonus categories, Kudos can help you identify when another card in your wallet might earn more on a given purchase — and ensure you never leave rewards on the table.
What Kudos does for Costco cardholders:
- Scans your full wallet — Identifies all your card benefits and earning rates across every category
- Suggests the best card at checkout — Automatically recommends which card earns the most for each purchase
- Tracks annual credit usage — Monitors your $7,000 gas cap so you know when to switch cards
- Sends reminders before key dates — Alerts you as your December 31 accumulation deadline approaches
- Discovers hidden perks — Kudos users find an average of $624 in unused card benefits annually
Kudos is free to use and takes just a few minutes to set up. Sign up with code GET20 and earn $20 back after your first eligible Kudos Boost purchase of $30 or more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check my rewards balance?
Log into the Citi Mobile® App or Citi Online portal, or check your monthly billing statement. Your year-to-date cash back earned is displayed in your account summary.
Can authorized cardholders redeem the reward certificate?
No. Only the primary cardholder can redeem the annual credit card reward certificate.
Can I redeem my certificate online or through the Costco app?
No. Certificates can only be redeemed in person at a U.S. Costco warehouse (including Puerto Rico). They cannot be redeemed at Costco.com, on the Costco mobile app, or for Costco Travel purchases.
What happens to my rewards if I cancel my Costco membership?
Any accumulated rewards will be forfeited if your membership lapses before your certificate is issued in February. Make sure your membership is active and your Citi account is in good standing at the time of issuance.
When do my rewards expire?
Your 2026 certificate expires on December 31, 2026 — not one year from the issue date. The expiration date is printed on the certificate.
What if I lose my certificate?
Log into Citi.com or the Citi Mobile® App and request a replacement. Your original certificate barcode will be invalidated and a new one will be issued with a new certificate number.
What if I don't use the full certificate amount in one trip?
The remaining balance will be returned to you as cash (or an alternative form at Costco's discretion). For large certificates, the direct deposit option is often more practical.
What's the difference between the Citi certificate and the Executive 2% Reward?
They are two separate benefits. The Citi certificate is issued by Citi based on your card spending across all categories. The Executive 2% Reward is issued by Costco based on your warehouse and online purchases as an Executive Member. You can receive and use both.
Can I use my reward certificate to pay my Costco Anywhere Visa® Card bill?
Not directly. Certificates cannot be applied as a statement credit. However, you can redeem your certificate for cash at the warehouse and then use that cash to make a payment on your account.
Expert Takeaway
The Costco credit card rewards program delivers strong value for regular Costco shoppers — particularly those who spend heavily on gas, dining, and travel. The annual lump-sum structure requires more planning than a traditional monthly cash back card, but the payoff at redemption time can be significant, especially when stacked with the Executive 2% Reward.
The two things most cardholders miss: the direct deposit option for large certificates, and the hard December 31 expiration date. Keep those in mind, and you'll get full value from your rewards every year.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
.webp)
