Best Credit Cards for Costco Shopping (2026): Costco Visa vs. Top Alternatives

The Best Overall Costco Credit Card (2025)

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Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

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[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "751", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Costco Members", "headerHint": "5% Cash Back on Costco Gas Stations"} ]]

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The official Costco credit card remains the undisputed leader for most Costco shoppers  especially if you buy gas at Costco or hold an Executive membership. It rewards the way Costco loyalists already shop, especially when it comes to gas, in-warehouse purchases, dining, and travel booked through Costco. Unlike many rewards cards that exclude warehouse clubs, this card consistently earns elevated rewards on Costco purchases and offers strong value for fuel spending both at Costco gas stations and beyond. Its simple, no-maintenance structure makes it easy to use without tracking rotating categories or activating offers, making it a practical everyday card for loyal Costco shoppers who want rewards that align naturally with their spending habits.

Redemption

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Cash back accumulates throughout the year and is issued once annually as a Costco reward certificate after your February statement. You can redeem it for cash or merchandise in any U.S. Costco warehouse.

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Best For

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• Households that consistently buy Costco gas
  
  
• Executive members (2% Exec + 2% Visa = effective 4% on Costco purchases)
  
  
• Frequent Costco shoppers wanting maximum in-warehouse return
  
  
• Shoppers who prefer a simple, high-value Costco-centric card
  
  

Downsides

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• Cash back is only issued once a year
  
  
• Must redeem rewards in person at Costco
  
  
• Not ideal for maximizing purchases outside Costco unless they fall into dining, gas, or travel categories
  
  

Bottom Line

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If Costco is a meaningful part of your household’s shopping routine, the Costco Anywhere Visa delivers unmatched value.

Best Costco Credit Card Alternatives

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Not everyone wants the Costco Visa. Maybe you prefer more flexible rewards, faster redemptions, or stronger earnings outside the warehouse. These are the best options that reliably work at Costco.

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1. Best Flat-Rate Alternative to the Costco Visa

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Citi® Double Cash® Card

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[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "580", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Reward Enthusiasts", "headerHint": "Straightforward Rewards"} ]] 

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The Citi Double Cash® Card is appealing for its simplicity and consistency, especially for shoppers who want predictable rewards on every purchase, including Costco purchases both in-warehouse and online. Instead of relying on bonus categories, the card rewards responsible spending by earning value when you make a purchase and again when you pay it off, making it easy to understand and use. 

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With flexible redemption options that include cash, statement credits, or conversion into Citi ThankYou® points, it’s a solid choice for users who prefer a straightforward, low-effort rewards card that works well for everyday spending without requiring category tracking or optimization.

Best For

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• Shoppers wanting simple, no-category rewards
  
  
• Anyone who doesn’t want the Costco Visa
  
  
• People who want flexible redemptions and daily-use value
  
  

Downsides

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• Foreign transaction fees
  
  
• No elevated rewards in dining, gas, or travel categories
  
  

Bottom Line

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If you want the easiest, most reliable non-Costco Visa for Costco spending, Double Cash remains the top pick.

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2. Best Cashback Card for Multi-Category Everyday Spending

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "497", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Cash Back Seekers", "headerHint": "Fantastic Cash Back Card"} ]] 

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® works well as an everyday spending card because it earns elevated rewards in several common categories, including dining, drugstores, and travel booked through Chase, while still earning rewards on all other purchases—including Costco. Its structure makes it easy to use without tracking rotating categories, which is ideal for shoppers who want consistent rewards with minimal effort.

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What sets the card apart is its flexibility within the Chase ecosystem. Rewards earned can be converted into Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which become significantly more valuable when paired with a Sapphire card, making the Freedom Unlimited a strong standalone option and an even better long-term companion card for maximizing travel redemptions.

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Best For

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• Shoppers who dine out frequently
  
  
• Travelers wanting a strong everyday card with premium travel potential
  
  
• Users already in (or wanting to join) the Chase ecosystem
  
  

Downsides

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• Foreign transaction fee
  
  
• Warehouse purchases earn less
  
  

Bottom Line

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If you want a flexible, high-value card for your entire spending footprint , including decent Costco rewards, this is a strong choice.

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3. Best Simple, High-Value Card

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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

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[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2894", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Everyday Spenders", "headerHint": "2% Cash Back"} ]]

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The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a strong option for Costco shoppers who want a true “set it and forget it” rewards card. Instead of relying on rotating categories or specific merchant coding, it earns a flat, consistent return on virtually all purchases—including warehouse clubs—making it easy to use without any strategy or tracking.

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A key advantage for Costco members is that the card is a Visa, which means it’s accepted at U.S. Costco warehouses and Costco gas stations, unlike cards on other networks. This makes it a reliable in-store option for earning rewards at Costco, especially for shoppers who want a simple, low-maintenance card that works everywhere they shop without needing to think about bonus categories or activation.

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Best For

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• Costco shoppers who want reliable cash back in-store with a Visa
  
  
• Anyone who prefers simple flat-rate cash back over juggling bonus categories
  
  
• People who want a straightforward everyday card that still performs well at Costco
  
  

Downsides

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• No elevated bonus categories (gas, dining, groceries, etc. all earn the same)
  
  
• Foreign transaction fee
  
  

Bottom Line

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A strong, straightforward Costco-friendly Visa. Ideal if you want consistent rewards without thinking about categories.

Payment Rules at Costco

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Costco has unique payment restrictions that directly shape which cards you can use.

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In-Warehouse & Gas Stations

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Costco accepts:

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• Visa credit cards only
  
  
• Most debit cards
  
  
• Costco Shop Cards
  
  
• Cash
  
  
• Checks (select locations)
  
  

It does not accept:

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• Mastercard credit cards
  
  
• American Express credit cards
  
  
• Discover credit cards
  
  

Online at Costco.com

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Costco.com accepts:

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• Visa credit cards
  
  
• Mastercard credit cards
  
  
• Discover credit cards
  
  
• Costco Shop Cards
  
  

It does not accept:

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• American Express credit cards (contrary to common myths)
  
  

This means some high-earning cards can be used online but not in the warehouse though Costco online typically doesn’t code as a supermarket anyway.

A Guide to Costco Shop Cards

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Costco Shop Cards (gift cards) are valuable tools  but there are many misconceptions online.

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What’s True

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• ‍Only Costco members can buy or reload Shop Cards.
  

• Members and non-members can use them to shop in-warehouse or online.
  
  
• They can be used for most Costco merchandise purchases.
  
  

What’s Not True

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• You cannot buy Costco Shop Cards at grocery stores, Target, Walmart, or supermarkets.
  
  
• You cannot use Shop Cards for:
  
  
  
  • Membership fees
    
    
  • Renewal fees
    
    
  • Costco Next
    
    
  • Same-Day Delivery via Instacart (Shop Cards not accepted)
    
    

Shop Cards as a Strategy

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While you can’t buy Costco Shop Cards at supermarkets to earn elevated grocery rewards, you can use Shop Cards to:

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• Allow non-members to shop
  
  
• Separate budgeting categories
  
  

Pay with non-Visa cards indirectly (buy Shop Cards online using Mastercard/Discover)

Executive Membership + Credit Cards

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Executive membership costs:

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• $60 for Gold Star
  
  
• $120 for Executive
  
  

Executive Members get:

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• 2% annual cash back on most Costco purchases (up to $1,000)
  
  

When paired with the Costco Visa:

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You earn:

• 2% back from card
  
  
• + 2% back from Executive membership = 4% total Costco return

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This is one of the best wholesale club reward rates available anywhere, especially since it requires no extra credit-card annual fee. If you spend more than $3,000/year at Costco, the Executive membership typically pays for itself.

Best Card Based on Different Costco Shopper Profiles

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Not every Costco shopper uses the warehouse the same way. Some households fill up at the gas pump every week, others focus on bulk grocery runs, and some simply want an easy card that “just works” without tracking categories. Here’s how to choose the best card based on how you actually shop at Costco.

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1. Gas-Heavy Costco Shoppers

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Best choice: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

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If a large part of your Costco routine includes filling up at the gas station, the Costco Anywhere Visa is an especially strong option. The card is designed to deliver elevated rewards on fuel purchases at Costco gas stations, making it a standout choice for members who regularly fuel up there. It also continues to reward everyday Costco spending, both in-warehouse and online, so purchases like groceries, household essentials, and bulk items all contribute to ongoing rewards.

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This combination makes the card particularly appealing for commuters, families with multiple vehicles, and anyone who relies on Costco gas as their primary fueling option, while still wanting a card that aligns closely with their overall Costco shopping habits.

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2. Executive Members Who Want the Maximum Return

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Best choice: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

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For Costco Executive Members, the Costco Anywhere Visa pairs especially well with the built-in rewards that come with the Executive membership. Executive Members already earn rewards on most Costco purchases through their membership, and using the Costco Visa adds an additional layer of card-based rewards on top of that. When combined, this creates a stacked earning setup that’s difficult to replicate with most other credit cards for warehouse shopping.

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For shoppers who spend heavily at Costco throughout the year, this combination can significantly enhance the value of both the credit card and the Executive membership itself. It’s particularly compelling for households that regularly buy groceries, household essentials, and bulk items at Costco and want to maximize returns without juggling multiple cards or complex reward structures.

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3. Casual Costco Shoppers Who Prefer Simplicity

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Best choice: Citi® Double Cash® Card

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If Costco is just one of many places you shop  and you’d rather avoid juggling bonus categories or annual reward certificates, the Citi Double Cash is an excellent alternative. It earns straightforward cash back on all purchases, including Costco, with no categories, caps, or tracking required.

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This makes it a great fit for shoppers who want consistent, predictable rewards everywhere, not just at Costco. While it doesn’t offer elevated gas or warehouse bonuses, its simplicity and flexibility make it ideal for casual Costco shoppers or anyone who prefers a single, easy-to-use everyday card.

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Final Verdict: The Best Overall Card for Costco in 2025

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For most people, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi remains unbeatable thanks to:

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• 5% at Costco gas
  
  
• 3% dining & travel
  
  
• 2% Costco & Costco.com
  
  
• No annual fee beyond membership
  
  
• Annual cash redemption flexibility
  
  

But if you prefer a more flexible card or shop more heavily outside Costco, pairing the Costco Visa with a second high-earning card, like Citi Double Cash or Chase Freedom Unlimited,  delivers excellent value across all spending categories.