{"id":2108,"title":"Costco Credit Card USA: A Practical Guide to Eligibility Requirements and Criteria","slug":"costco-credit-card-usa-eligibility-requirements-and-application-criteria","lang":"en","description":"Many Costco members wonder whether they meet the requirements to apply for a Costco Credit Card, especially when they are unsure how Citi considers credit score, income, Costco membership status, and other financial information during the review process. This guide explains the eligibility requirements, application criteria, information applicants may need to prepare, and factors that may affect the decision when applying for a Costco Credit Card in the United States.","content":"

What Is the Costco Credit Card in the USA?

The term Costco Credit Card in the USA commonly refers to the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, a co-branded credit card available to Costco members in the United States. Citi issues and manages the card, while Costco operates the membership program connected to the product’s eligibility requirements.

Cardholders may use the card for purchases at Costco and at other locations that accept Visa. The card also offers cash back on selected eligible spending categories.

The table below summarizes the basic information to understand before reviewing the eligibility requirements and application criteria in more detail.

Category	Key Information
Product name	Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi
Intended users	Costco members in the United States
Costco membership	An active paid Costco membership is required
Card issuer	Citi
Minimum credit score	Citi does not publish a specific minimum score
Identification information	May include an SSN, date of birth, and address
Financial information	Total annual income and monthly mortgage or rent payment
Approval decision	Subject to Citi’s credit approval
Annual card fee	No separate annual card fee with a paid Costco membership
Where the card can be used	At locations that accept Visa

Active Costco Membership Is the First Requirement

The clearest requirement under Costco Credit Card Eligibility is that the applicant must have an active Costco membership.

People who are not yet members need to obtain a membership before submitting an application. When starting the application, Citi may request an active Costco membership number along with identification and financial information.

Costco membership and the Costco credit card are separate products:

Costco manages the membership program.
Citi issues the Costco Anywhere Visa Card.
Citi performs the credit review and makes the approval decision.
Having a membership does not guarantee that a credit application will be approved.

Costco Credit Card Application Requirements

People researching Costco Credit Card Application Requirements should prepare the personal, membership, and financial information that may be requested on the application.

Costco Membership Information

Applicants should have their active Costco membership number ready. The personal information used on the application should be accurate and consistent with the membership record.

Identification Information

According to Citi’s guidance, applicants may need to provide:

Full legal name
Social Security number
Date of birth
Address
Contact information requested on the application

This information may be used to verify identity and process the application.

Financial Information

Applicants may also need to provide:

Total annual income
Monthly mortgage or rent payment
Additional information requested on the current application form

Citi does not publish a minimum income for Costco Credit Card that applies to every applicant. The issuer may consider income or assets together with current financial obligations when evaluating the ability to make required payments.

Incomplete or inconsistent information may lead to additional verification. Applicants should ensure that all details are complete and accurate before submitting the application.

Applicants under 21: Federal ability-to-pay rules may require additional information showing an independent ability to make minimum payments. Applicants should review Citi’s current application terms rather than assume that a cosigner or joint application option is available.

How Does Credit Score Affect Costco Credit Card Approval?

A common question is what credit score is needed for Costco Credit Card.

Citi does not publish a specific Costco Credit Card minimum credit score. A higher credit score may support an application, but credit score alone does not determine the result.

Submitting an application may also result in a hard inquiry and a temporary change to the applicant’s credit score. The final decision may depend on the overall financial and credit profile reviewed by Citi.

Factors That May Affect Citi’s Decision

Payment History

Payment history shows how an applicant has managed previous credit accounts. Late payments, missed payments, or delinquent accounts may affect how the issuer evaluates creditworthiness.

Credit Utilization

Credit utilization is the percentage of available revolving credit currently being used. A high utilization rate may indicate that an applicant is using a large portion of the credit limits already available.

Credit History and Credit Mix

The length and composition of an applicant’s credit history may also be considered. Citi may review how long accounts have been open and how different types of credit have been managed.

Income and Financial Obligations

Income may be considered together with monthly housing payments, existing balances, and other current financial obligations. Having stable income does not automatically guarantee approval, and Citi does not publish one income level that applies to every applicant.

Recent Credit Applications

Submitting several credit applications within a short period may create additional hard inquiries. Recent applications may also be considered as part of the overall credit review.

These factors do not create a formula for calculating exact Costco Credit Card approval odds. Citi applies its own underwriting criteria to each application, and no single factor guarantees approval or denial.

How to Apply for Costco Credit Card

Citi currently describes three ways to apply for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card:

Online: Complete the application through Citi’s official platform.
At a Costco warehouse: Apply or request information at the membership counter.
By phone: Use the official application phone number provided by Citi.

Some online applicants may receive a response in less than one minute, but a fast response does not mean that the application has been approved. Other applications may require additional time for Citi to review or verify information.

An instant decision does not mean instant approval or guaranteed approval. If the application is approved, Citi states that the physical card may generally arrive within approximately 7–10 business days.

Where the Costco Anywhere Visa Card Can Be Used

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card can be used at Costco and at other locations that accept Visa.

The card also offers cash back on eligible purchases, with reward rates, spending limits, and qualifying categories determined by the current card terms. Rewards are generally issued through an annual credit card reward certificate.

Applicants should review the current benefit and redemption terms before applying, as reward categories and conditions may change.

Costs and Terms to Review

The Costco Anywhere Visa Card currently has no separate annual card fee as long as the cardholder maintains a paid Costco membership. The card also currently has no foreign transaction fee. However, Costco membership has its own cost and must be maintained to meet the product requirements.

Before applying, applicants should review:

Variable purchase APR
Balance transfer terms
Cash advance APR and fee
Late payment conditions
Penalty APR
Foreign transaction fee
Reward categories and spending caps
Annual reward certificate rules
Costco membership requirements

The purchase APR is variable and may depend on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate. Applicants should therefore review the pricing disclosure displayed at the time of application rather than relying on an older APR.

Checklist Before Applying

Before submitting an application, an applicant may want to:

Confirm that the Costco membership is active.
Review the credit report for inaccurate information.
Check current balances and financial obligations.
Consider the possible effect of recent credit applications.
Read the current APR, fees, rewards, and membership terms.
Confirm that all application information is complete and accurate.

These steps may help an applicant prepare more effectively, but they do not guarantee that Citi will approve the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Costco membership required?

Yes. An active Costco membership is required to apply for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi.

What credit score is required for the Costco Credit Card?

Citi does not publish a specific minimum credit score. Credit score is only one of several factors that may be considered.

Is there a minimum income requirement?

Citi does not publish a minimum income that applies to every applicant. Applicants must report income, and the issuer may consider the ability to make payments based on income or assets and current obligations.

Does meeting the basic requirements guarantee approval?

No. Every application is subject to Citi’s credit approval.

Can applicants receive an instant decision?

Some online applicants may receive a response in less than one minute, but a fast response does not mean approval. Other applications may require additional review or verification.

Can the card be used outside Costco?

Yes. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card can be used at locations that accept Visa.

Does the Costco Credit Card have an annual fee?

The card does not have a separate annual fee as long as the cardholder maintains a paid Costco membership. Costco membership fees still apply.

Disclaimer

This content is a general informational guide about Costco Credit Card USA. This website is not Costco Wholesale, Citi, or Visa. It does not issue credit cards, accept or process applications, or make credit approval decisions. Eligibility, APR, fees, rewards, application methods, and card terms may change. Readers should verify current information directly with Citi and Costco before applying. Meeting the requirements described in this guide does not guarantee approval.

References

Citi — How to Apply for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card
Citi — Costco Anywhere Visa Card
Citi — Is a Credit Score Needed for the Costco Anywhere Visa Card?
Costco — Costco Anywhere Visa Cards by Citi
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Regulation Z: Ability to Pay

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