Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
vs. Discover it® Chrome

Updated: September 19, 2024

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Both the Costco Anywhere and Discover it Chrome offer appealing cash back rewards and no annual fees, which is why you're likely considering them. The Costco Anywhere Visa edges out slightly due to its higher cash back rates on gas, travel and dining. The Costco card is a co-branded option that maximizes rewards for Costco members

However, if you're not a frequent Costco shopper, the Discover it Chrome's introductory 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers could be more beneficial. The Discover it Chrome is also more accessible with its lower credit score requirement; its introductory APR offer is a strong feature for those looking to make large purchases or transfer balances.

Credit Card logo for Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Credit Card logo for Discover it® Chrome
Discover it® Chrome
MoneyGeek Rating
3.8/ 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 Costco Anywhere if you're a frequent Costco shopper looking to maximize your rewards. With high cash back on gas, travel and dining, and additional rewards on Costco purchases, this card is tailored for those who already spend regularly at Costco and can take advantage of the exclusive benefits that come with membership.

You might prefer the Discover it Chrome if you're seeking a card with an attractive introductory APR offer and rewards on gas and dining. The Discover it Chrome card offers 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first six and 18 months, respectively, making it a good choice for those planning a large purchase or wanting to transfer and pay down existing debt.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features side by side clarifies which card aligns with your spending and financial needs. For example, if frequent Costco shopping is part of your routine, the Costco Anywhere card's benefits at Costco may sway your choice. If you prefer straightforward cash back on gas and dining without a membership requirement, Discover it Chrome might be more appealing.

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    Regular APR: Discover it Chrome

    The Discover it Chrome card offers a lower starting APR of 18.24% compared to the Costco Anywhere card's APR of 20.49%.

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    Annual Fee: Discover it Chrome

    For annual fees, Discover it Chrome edges out due to its $0 fee without the need for any membership, unlike the Costco Anywhere which requires a Costco membership starting at $60 annually.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Discover it Chrome

    The Discover it Chrome is better for introductory 0% APRs, offering 0% for six months on purchases and 0% for 18 months on balance transfers, while the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi does not offer any introductory 0% APRs.

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    Rewards: Costco Anywhere

    The Costco Anywhere is better for rewards, offering up to 4% cash back on gas and EV charging, 3% on dining and travel and 2% on Costco purchases. Discover it Chrome offers 2% on gas and dining up to $1,000 each quarter and 1% on other purchases. Costco's card benefits from higher rates in more categories and co-branded perks, making it more rewarding for Costco shoppers and those with diverse spending.

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    Welcome Offers: Discover it Chrome

    Discover it Chrome is better for welcome offers, providing a unique cash back match for new card members that doubles all the cash back earned at the end of the first year, with no minimum spending or maximum rewards.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Discover it Chrome

    The Discover it Chrome card is more accessible, requiring a credit score of 670 to 850, compared to the Costco Anywhere card's 740 to 850 range.

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    Penalties and Fees: Discover it Chrome

    The Discover it Chrome is better for penalties and fees, offering a first late fee waiver and no penalty APR. Both cards have the same cash advance fee and no foreign transaction fees, but Discover's more forgiving policy on the first late payment and absence of a penalty APR gives it an edge.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Discover it Chrome

    Discover has a higher issuer satisfaction rating of 4.5 compared to Citibank's 4.1.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Both cards offer unique perks. The Costco Anywhere Visa provides exclusive rewards for Costco members, while Discover it Chrome offers a first-year cashback match and online personal information protection. Choosing depends on your shopping habits and value placed on privacy protection.

Rewards Comparison

The Costco Anywhere card leads with rewards, particularly for frequent Costco shoppers and drivers. It offers 4% cash back on fuel and EV charging (capped at $7,000 annually, then 1%). Dining and travel also get a boost with 3% cash back. Costco purchases earn a solid 2%, doubling what you'd get with the Discover it Chrome on non-bonus spending.

Discover it Chrome offers a respectable 2% on gas and dining, it's limited to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, which may not suffice for heavy spenders in these categories. However, its lack of an annual fee and the Discover cash back match for the first year can be attractive for those who prefer simplicity and upfront bonuses. Next, you'll find a table detailing the bonus categories for each card to help you see where you can earn more cash back.

Category
Costco Anywhere
Discover it Chrome

Gas Stations

4% for the first $7,000 annually/1% thereafter

2% on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter

Restaurants

3%

2% on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter

Travel

3%

1%

Costco Purchases

2%

1%

All Other Purchases

1%

1%

Redeeming Rewards

The Costco Anywhere card offers an annual reward certificate, redeemable at Costco warehouses for merchandise or cash back, with an expiration date of December 31 in the year it's issued. Discover it Chrome provides more flexibility, allowing cardholders to redeem their cash back at any time and in various forms, including as a statement credit, direct deposit or even for Amazon purchases, with no expiration date.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards using a tailored scoring system. The Costco Anywhere card scores highest for cash back rewards, while the Discover it Chrome card is most notable for balance transfer opportunities.

The largest factors influencing these scores include the effective reward rate and annual fees for cash back, and the introductory purchase APR and regular APR for balance transfers. For a deeper understanding of our scoring process, you can explore our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Costco Anywhere vs. Discover it Chrome Card

What are the rewards rates 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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