Best Credit Card for Costco in 2026

Other Options to Consider

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Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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How to Choose a Credit Card for Costco

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As any Costco member knows, the warehouse club's checkout lanes have a strict door policy of their own—only Visa credit cards get in, which means picking the right one is key to maximizing your membership.

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While it's tempting to focus only on rewards earned inside the warehouse, the best card will fit your overall spending habits, not just your bulk-buying runs. It's also crucial to weigh any annual fee against the cash back you'll realistically earn to ensure the card is actually saving you money.

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Key Factors

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• Visa Acceptance: Since Costco warehouses exclusively accept Visa cards, your chosen card must be on the Visa network to be usable in-store.
• Rewards Structure: Look beyond the Costco rewards rate and consider how a card rewards your spending on other major categories, such as gas, dining, or travel, to maximize your overall earnings.
• Annual Fee: Evaluate whether the card's annual fee is justified by the cash back and benefits you expect to receive over the course of a year.
• Welcome Offer: A valuable introductory offer can provide a significant boost in points or cash back, but be sure to check the spending requirements to earn it.
• Additional Perks: Benefits like extended warranty, purchase protection, and travel insurance can add significant value, especially for large purchases made at Costco.
• Interest Rates: If you anticipate carrying a balance, the card's Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is a critical factor, as high interest charges can quickly negate any rewards you earn.

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What to Watch Out For

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One major pitfall is choosing a card solely for its high Costco rewards rate without checking for spending caps that could limit your earnings. Similarly, don't get so focused on in-store perks that you ignore a high annual fee or a rewards structure that doesn't benefit your spending outside the warehouse.

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Decision Flow

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To find the right card for your wallet, start by identifying your primary goal. Are you looking for a simple, all-in-one solution, or are you a rewards maximizer aiming for top-tier travel perks? Here’s how your priorities can guide your decision:

• If you want a simple, dedicated Costco card... the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is the most straightforward option. It has no annual fee with your paid Costco membership and earns 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging worldwide, including at Costco, on the first $7,000 per year (then 1%). You’ll also get 3% back on restaurants and eligible travel, 2% on all purchases from Costco and Costco.com, and 1% on everything else.
• If you are a rewards maximizer or frequent traveler... a general-purpose travel Visa might offer more overall value. For instance, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns a flat 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which can be a powerful rate for your Costco hauls and all other spending. Alternatively, a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, while earning a standard rate at Costco, provides premium travel benefits and flexible point redemptions that can outweigh the in-store rewards rate.
• If your main goal is to avoid an annual fee... several no-fee Visa cards provide solid, flat-rate rewards. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card both offer 1.5% cash back on every purchase. This provides consistent, simple value on your Costco trips and everywhere else you shop, without the need to track bonus categories or pay for perks you may not use.
• If you are a business owner... your choice depends on your spending habits. The Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi offers the same rewards structure as the personal version, making it a great fit for businesses that spend heavily on gas and at Costco. For simpler rewards across all business expenses, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card provides a flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase, from inventory runs to utility bills.

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Maximize Your Return with Costco

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To ensure you're getting the most value from every trip to the warehouse, consider these tips for maximizing your credit card rewards:

• Use the Right Plastic: Costco warehouses exclusively accept Visa credit cards, so ensure you have one on hand to earn rewards for your in-store purchases.
• Shop Online for More Flexibility: Costco.com accepts not only Visa but also Mastercard and Discover, opening up more opportunities to use a card with a better rewards rate for your purchases.
• Double-Dip with Executive Membership: Stack the 2% annual reward from your Costco Executive Membership with the points or cash back earned from your credit card to multiply your returns.
• Leverage Rotating Categories: Keep an eye on credit cards with quarterly bonus categories, as warehouse clubs are sometimes included, allowing you to earn an elevated rewards rate for a limited time.
• Redeem Rewards Wisely: Get the most from your accumulated points by transferring them to high-value travel partners or opting for a straightforward cash-back redemption, depending on your card's program.

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Supercharge your Rewards with Kudos

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Kudos is a free smart wallet that takes the guesswork out of maximizing rewards by automatically selecting your best card at checkout. Get started for free.

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Other Things to Consider

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Beyond just your Costco runs, consider how a new card fits into your complete financial picture. While a versatile Visa is essential for the warehouse, a separate store-specific card for another retailer you love might offer better rewards on those purchases. The real key to maximizing value, however, is disciplined debt management; always aim to pay your balance in full each month, as interest charges will quickly negate any rewards earned. This discipline should extend to managing all your obligations, including cash flow and any Buy Now, Pay Later plans, to maintain a healthy financial outlook.

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Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What types of credit cards does Costco accept?

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In its U.S. warehouses, Costco exclusively accepts credit cards from the Visa network. For online purchases at Costco.com, you can also use Mastercard and Discover cards.

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Can I use my Costco credit card at other stores?

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Yes, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is a co-branded Visa card that can be used for purchases anywhere Visa is accepted worldwide. It is not limited to just Costco stores.

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What happens to my Costco credit card if I cancel my membership?

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You must maintain an active Costco membership to keep your Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. If you cancel your membership, the issuer will cancel your credit card account.

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