Citi Double Cash® Card
vs. Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

Updated: August 28, 2024

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Both the Citi Double Cash® Card and the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi cater to cash back enthusiasts, but they serve different niches. The Citi Double Cash edges ahead with its generous 2% cash back on all purchases, appealing if you prefer simplicity and broad earning potential.

The Costco Anywhere excels with higher cash back rates in specific categories like gas, travel and dining, making it ideal for Costco members who frequently shop there. Although the Citi Double Cash is more accessible with its lower credit score requirement, the Costco Anywhere remains a strong contender for dedicated Costco shoppers.

Credit Card logo for Citi Double Cash® Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
Credit Card logo for Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
3.8/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Citi Double Cash if you value simplicity and flexibility in earning cash back. With a flat 2% cash back on all purchases and an introductory 0% APR on balance transfers for 18 months, it's a straightforward choice if you want to earn rewards on every purchase without tracking spending categories.

You might prefer the Costco Anywhere if you're a frequent Costco shopper and spend a lot on gas, dining and travel. With higher cash back rates in these categories and additional benefits for Costco members, this card maximizes rewards for specific spending habits and offers value for loyal Costco customers.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating features like APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and introductory offers will clarify which card is for you. For example, if you frequently shop at Costco, the Costco Anywhere card's higher cash back rates on gas and Costco purchases may be advantageous. Conversely, the Citi Double Cash's flat-rate cash back on all purchases could be more beneficial for diverse spending outside of Costco.

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    Regular APR: Citi Double Cash

    The Citi Double Cash Card offers a more favorable APR range starting at 19.24%, compared to the Costco Anywhere's 20.49% variable.

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    Annual Fee: Citi Double Cash

    Both cards offer a $0 annual fee, but the Costco Anywhere requires a paid Costco membership, which costs $60 annually. Therefore, the Citi Double Cash Card is better if you don't have a Costco membership.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Citi Double Cash

    The Citi Double Cash is better if you want an introductory 0% APR on balance transfers, offering 0% for 18 months. The Costco Anywhere does not provide any introductory 0% APR offers.

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    Rewards: Costco Anywhere

    For rewards, the Costco Anywhere is better for Costco members and those with high spending on gas, dining and travel, offering up to 4% cash back in these categories. The Citi Double Cash offers a strong 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay) and a limited time 5% back on certain travel booked through Citi, making it versatile for general spending.

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    Welcome Offers: Citi Double Cash

    The Citi Double Cash is better for welcome offers, offering $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first six months. The Costco Anywhere does not offer a welcome bonus.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Citi Double Cash

    The Citi Double Cash is more accessible, requiring a credit score range of 670 to 850, compared with the Costco Anywhere's 740 to 850 range.

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    Penalties and Fees: Costco Anywhere

    For penalties and fees, the Costco Anywhere stands out due to its absence of foreign transaction fees, unlike the Citi Double Cash, which charges 3% for each transaction. Both cards impose similar late fees and cash advance fees.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Tie

    Both the Citi Double Cash and the Costco Anywhere are issued by Citi, resulting in identical issuer satisfaction scores of 4.1.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Neither the Citi Double Cash nor the Costco Anywhere offer unique perks that enhance their value beyond rewards and fees.

Rewards Comparison

The Citi Double Cash simplifies earning with a flat 2% cash back on all purchases. This includes 1% when you buy and another 1% as you pay, making it a solid choice for consistent rewards across all spending without having to track category bonuses.

On the other hand, the Costco Anywhere tailors its rewards to specific categories, offering a higher return on gas, dining and travel. With 4% back on gas and EV charging (capped at $7,000 annually, then 1%), 3% on dining and eligible travel, and 2% on Costco purchases, it's particularly advantageous for frequent Costco shoppers and those who spend more in these areas.

While both cards offer compelling rewards, the Costco Anywhere may win for if you have heavy spending in its bonus categories, despite its more limited redemption options. The table of bonus categories shows a visual comparison of the rewards.

Category
Citi Double Cash
Costco Anywhere

Gas

2%

4% for the first $7,000 annually, then 1%

Dining

2%

3%

Travel

2%/5% if booked through Citi Travel portal

3%

Costco Purchases

2%

2%

All Other Purchases

2%

1%

Redeeming Rewards

The Citi Double Cash allows for cash back redemption via direct deposit, statement credit, or check, with a simple 1:1 value and no expiration. By contrast, the Costco Anywhere card issues rewards annually as a certificate, redeemable only at Costco warehouses for merchandise or cash back, and must be used by December 31 of the year issued. This could influence your choice if immediate access to rewards or flexibility in redemption is a priority.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like the Citi Double Cash and Costco Anywhere using a tailored scoring system for various use casesThis approach ensures that the score reflects the card's performance in the scenario where it provides the most value.

For cash back cards, the primary factors we consider are the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. These elements — along with annual fees, introductory purchase rates and issuer satisfaction — contribute to a card's overall score. For a detailed understanding of our process, you can review our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Citi Double Cash vs. Costco Anywhere

What are the cash back rewards for each card?
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About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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