But, in case you have heard about the Costco Anywhere Visa card previously, but have gotten away without being impressed by the absence of any form of sign-up bonus, you are not alone. It is one of the least persistently promoted cards in the cash-back arena, in part because Citi and Costco hardly ever give new customers an incentive. The offer to the general population has never had a no welcome bonus, no first year APR offer, and simply the earning structure of the card since its inception.

That is why the existing special offer is worth paying attention to: some members of Costco are getting an email promotion, which gives them a statement credit of 100 dollars in case they spend at least 300 dollars within the first three months of opening an account.

The reason why this specific offer is relevant

Hundred dollars does not drop a jaw of any person, but context is at work here. In the case of a card that consistently provides nothing to new cardholders, the bonus of 100 dollars with the minimum spending of 300 is a truly low-friction offer. You could go through that limit on just one Costco trip and two fill-ups.

The other reason why this is noteworthy; The spending requirement is so gentle, it will not be competing with any other welcome bonuses you already have in the pipeline. When you have just applied to a card with a minimum spend requirement of 4 or 5 thousand dollars, a parallel requirement of 300 dollars on the side hardly counts. You are not stealing Peter to pay Paul the amount is so modest that you can still land on it at the same time and do not interfere with the major bonus pursuit.

The email message with a subject line of Exclusive Costco Anywhere Visa Citi Promotion is where you can find out whether you were targeted in case you are a Costco member. This opportunity is not provided to use the general application methods, and the email is the gateway.

What the Costco Anywhere Visa Really Sells

Anyone who did not give a thorough look at this card previously, should know what you are dealing with as far as offers are concerned. The Costco Anywhere Visa will be a zero annual fee card, but with a requirement of an active Costco membership that is also a separate charge. The earning structure is as follows:

• Gas purchases made at Costco have a 5% cash back.
• Cash back 4 percent on all other gas/ EV charging purchases, up to 7,000 combined gas purchases annually.
• Restaurants and travel 3 percent cash back.
• Cash back of 2 percent on every spending made at Costco.
• 1% cash back on everything else

It is a Visa Signature card through Citi and does not impose any foreign transaction fees an added benefit to all who travel internationally and need a simple and easy-to-toe cash-back card in their wallet at their destination.

The first key quirk to be aware of prior to using: cash back does not reflect on your account until the end of the year. Rather, it is held to be paid in yearly form as a check in form of a rewards coupon with your bill in February. The coupon is redeemed in cash or merchandise that is sold in Costco warehouse stores. That payout structure might be restrictive when compared to other cash-back cards in case you want continued statement credits or have greater control over when to redeem.

Where it Shines and Where it Falters

The rates of gas earnings are truly difficult to compete with. A 5 percent gas rewards at Costco and 4 percent gas and EV raising up to 7,000 combined money per year allows this card to rank just below the top in the classification of drivers who refuel regularly. When you are commuting to work a long way, or you have a bigger car, or you just happen to live in a place where you are forced to drive somewhere, 4-5% of your fuel is a significant percentage after a full year.

The 2% on Costco purchases is fair enough to members who do a large share of their household and grocery shopping in the store, while the 3 percent on dining and travel is a decent supporting rate but not extraordinary by the current standards, where a number of no-annual-fee cards offer the same on dining alone.

The point at which the card is falling behind is in the wide industry environment. On dining, traveling, and grocery purchases not made within Costco, the number of cards that have no annual fee but have better category benefits and much more valuable welcome offers are considerable. The 1 percent base rate of non-bonus spending also falls short of the offering made by cards such as the Citi Double Cash on all purchases.

The most significant weakness of the card to points and miles enthusiasts has always been the welcome offer situation. New cardholder bonuses on most competitive cash-back and travel are in the range of 200-plus (and sometimes much higher). The lack of any sign-up incentive that has been chronic on the Costco card has made it simple to push to the backburner in favor of cards that reward you merely because you applied.

Should You Apply?

Provided that you already are a Costco member, you already spend a significant amount of money on gas every month, and were sent the targeted email, it is a low-effort opportunity, which is worth considering. The minimum purchase of $300 is low enough to achieve, the credit of 100 is the best new cardholder offer this card has so far officially appeared on the record and the current gas earning rates are legitimately competitive on the right kind of spender.

Unless you are a hardcore gas spender and most of your shopping and eating is outside of Costco, the earning structure of the card will not shift the needle much and you would be better off using a card that offers a better welcome offer and has a better category bonus across the board.

The Bottom Line

Costco Anywhere Visa does not provide any new applicants with any incentive to apply in a hurry. The existing promoted statement credit of $100 with a low spending requirement of $300 is as close to an appealing point of entry as this card has had in a long time. Open your inbox and see the targeted email and in case it is there then you could do the numbers and you will realize that all you need to do is spend a quick 300 dollars you have the targeted email and your actual investment of the 300 will be paid back in 100 dollars in a card that already earns money in the pump.