Credit Cards » Compare Credit Cards » Costco Anywhere Visa vs Capital One Walmart Rewards Card
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Costco Anywhere Visa vs Capital One Walmart Rewards Card

If you're looking for a store card, both can be a perfect choice. What are the main things you should know before apply and how much you can save? Here's our analysis.
Author: Andrew O'Malley
Andrew O'Malley

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Andrew O’Malley has a BSc in Economics and Finance. He has worked in the finance industry as a risk analyst and is now pursuing a career in writing. In recent years, he has written for a number of leading publications. He studied Economics and Finance and has been fascinated with the financial markets since his teens.

Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
Author: Andrew O'Malley
Andrew O'Malley

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Andrew O’Malley has a BSc in Economics and Finance. He has worked in the finance industry as a risk analyst and is now pursuing a career in writing. In recent years, he has written for a number of leading publications. He studied Economics and Finance and has been fascinated with the financial markets since his teens.

Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.

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Table of Content

With the cost of groceries and gas prices on the rise, it is natural to assume that more people will look to earn rewards on their purchases.

If you’re brand loyal to a particular store, it makes sense to choose a card that helps you maximize the rewards each time you’re in store.

General Comparison

Citi-costco-anywhere-visa-credit-card review

Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Card

Costco Anywhere Visa Card
Capital One Walmart Rewards
Annual Fee
$0 *
None
Rewards
4% cash back on on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% cash back on restaurants and most travel purchases, 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com, 1% cash back on all other purchases
5% cash back at Walmart.com (including pickup and delivery), 2% cash back in Walmart stores and gas stations, at restaurants and on travel plus 1% cash back everywhere else Mastercard is accepted
Welcome bonus
None
5% cash back for the first 12 months when you use your card with Walmart Pay for in-store purchases, upon approval
0% Intro APR
None
None
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
Unknown
Purchase APR
20.49% (Variable)
17.99% – 28.99% (Variable)
Read Review
Read Review

Compare Rewards: Which Card Gives More?

We’ve looked at a few aspects of the two cards, but putting the actual rewards into context can be a little tricky without a scenario comparison.

Both cards offer high cash back  – let's see which of them best suits for your needs. Don't forget to make the relevant adjustments to your spending habits.

Citi-costco-anywhere-visa-credit-card review

Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Card

Spend Per Category
Costco Anywhere Visa Card
Capital One Walmart Rewards
$12,000 – U.S Supermarkets
$240
$420
$5,000 – Restaurants
$150
$100
$4,000 – Hotels
$120
$80
$4,000 – Airline
$120
$80
$5,000 – Gas
$200
$100
Estimated Annual Value
$830
$780

* Assuming all supermarkets/gas purchases made via Costco/Walmart

** Assuming 50% of supermarkets purchases are online

Compare The Perks

Costco Anywhere Visa Card

Citi-costco-anywhere-visa-credit-card review

  • No foreign transaction fees: You can use your Costco Anywhere Visa when you travel without incurring any hefty foreign transaction fees.
  • Theft and Damage Purchase Protection: You can enjoy up to 120 days of protection against theft and damage for your new purchases. If your items are damaged, this coverage may provide a refund or repairs.
  • Access to Citi Entertainment: The Citi Entertainment platform provides access to once in a lifetime experiences. You can get special ticket purchase access to events including concerts, dining experiences, sporting events and more.
Capital One Walmart Rewards

Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Card

  • No Foreign Transaction Fees: Like the Costco Anywhere, you can use your Walmart Rewards card abroad without incurring any foreign transaction fees.
  • Fraud Coverage: This card has a $0 Fraud Liability feature, where you will not be responsible for any fraudulent purchases if your card is stolen or lost.

Compare The Drawbacks

As with all credit card options, these cards are not perfect. It is important to be aware of the possible drawbacks, so you can make an informed decision about which card is the best option for you.

Costco Anywhere Visa Card

Citi-costco-anywhere-visa-credit-card review

Unlike the Capital One Walmart Rewards card, which is available for those with average to excellent credit, you need excellent credit to qualify for the Costco Anywhere. It's included on our 2022 best credit cards for excellent credit.

You need to already be a Costco member to access this card and its features.

This card has a rewards redemption process which is a little odd. Instead of receiving your rewards after a billing cycle or two, you’ll need to wait a year. Your rewards are accumulated and included with your February billing statement.

Since this card is designed for Costco members, it is surprising that the rewards are not overly generous. Aside from gas purchases at Costco, you’re looking at 2%.

It is possible to earn higher cash back rates with some other reward cards that allow you to select groceries or wholesale clubs as your primary reward category.

Capital One Walmart Rewards

Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Card

While shopping at Walmart.com offers a generous 5% cash back, if you like to browse the aisles, you’ll only earn 2% when you get to the checkout. The only exception to this is during the first year if you link your card to Walmart Pay and use this for your purchases.

While Walmart does offer free shipping on its website, there is minimum spend. So, there is a gap in this card’s benefits that it doesn’t offer free shipping on any order.

Compare Redemption Options

  • Costco Anywhere Visa Card

As we touched on above, the Costco Anywhere card has limited redemption options. You cannot redeem your rewards throughout the year. Instead, Citi will accumulate your rewards and you’ll receive a certificate in February.

You can then take this certificate to Costco and use it as credit for purchases or get cash. You have until the end of the year to complete this or your certificate will expire. You also need an active Costco membership to claim your rewards. Some Costco stores may offer electronic transfer of rewards, but this is not guaranteed.

  • Capital One Walmart Rewards

On the other hand, the Capital One Walmart Rewards card has more standard redemption options. There are no minimum redemption amounts and you can choose from a variety of methods.

You can apply your rewards as statement credit or “erase” some of your purchases, purchase a gift card, book travel or request a check. However, your rewards will never expire providing that your account is open and it is in good standing.

How to Maximize Cards Benefits?

If you want to make the best use of your Costco Anywhere Visa card, there are some tips to help you:

  • Max out your gas purchases: Whether you buy gas at Costco or other gas stations, this is the highest reward tier. So, be sure to max out your gas purchases with your card up to the $7,000 per year cap. This averages at approximately $580 per month, so make sure everyone in your household is paying for gas with this card until you reach the maximum.
  • Set an alert for redeeming your certificate: You’ll get your rewards certificate with your February statement, so make sure that you set an alert on your phone to redeem it at your local Costco as soon as possible. It is very easy to put the certificate in a drawer and forget about it, but if you don’t cash it in before December 31, you’ll lose your rewards.
  • Check Citi Entertainment: Before you buy tickets for any event, be sure to check the Citi Entertainment platform. This platform is available to all Citi credit card customers and you can get access to presales and other perks. You'll get an access similar to other Citi cards.

Citi-costco-anywhere-visa-credit-card review

The Walmart card is one of the best cards Capital One offers, so if you want to make the best use of your Capital One Walmart Rewards, there are some tips to help you:

  • Look outside the Walmart grocery section: You’ll earn 5% on all your Walmart.com purchases, so think outside the box. Walmart sells household items, tools, electronics and other items, so make sure that you get maximum rewards on all these purchases.
  • Link your card with Walmart Pay: You’ll earn 5% during the first year when you pay with your card and Walmart Pay, so make sure that you link your card asap. This means that you can get maximum rewards even if you just pop in for one or two things after work.

Capital One® Walmart Rewards® Card

Customer Reviews: Which Card Wins?

Satisfied customers report satisfaction with the Costco Anywhere rewards, making them a great option for frequent Costco customers and those who tend to spend more on gas.

Negative reviews highlight some issues with card disputes. There are several complaints about unauthorized charges that seem to take hours on the phone to try and sort out.

Walmart card satisfied customers report that this is a good all rounder and easy to use card that can allow you to accumulate rewards without needing to change your spending habits.

Negative reviews highlight issues with low credit limits. Capital One appears to be less than generous when setting the initial limits and even if you make payments on time and use the card you may struggle to get a rate increase.

Bottom Line

With the rising cost of everyday expenses, it makes sense to try to get the highest possible rewards on your purchases. If you frequently shop at Costco or Walmart, having a branded credit card can be a great benefit.

However, aside from the retailer, there are some key differences between these two cards that will influence which is the better option for you.

When You Might Want the Costco Anywhere Visa Card?

The Costco Anywhere Visa card is a good option for those who:

  • Gas is your largest expense: If you seem to always be at the gas station filling up your tank, this card could be a great choice for you. You’ll earn 5% on your gas purchases regardless of where you fill up.
  • You’re happy to save up your rewards: If you want to accumulate rewards for a big shop or lump cash sum once a year, this card could work for you. You won’t have the option to dip into your rewards for $5 here or $10 there, so you can really feel like you’ve earned a decent amount.
  • You want purchase protection: This card offers up to 120 days of purchase protection against theft or damage.

When the Capital One Walmart Rewards Wins?

The Capital One Walmart Rewards for those who:

  • You’re a dedicated Walmart shopper: Walmart almost literally sells everything, so this card is a great option for dedicated Walmart shoppers, particularly when you shop online.
  • You want the reassurance of fraud protection: There is a $0 fraud liability policy, so you don’t need to worry about unauthorized transactions if your card is lost or stolen.
  • You want flexible rewards: You can claim your rewards as a check, statement credit, gift cards or to pay for travel when you book through the Capital One travel portal. There are very few minimums and your rewards will not expire.

Compare The Alternatives

If you're looking for a store credit card with great rewards for online shopping – there are some good alternatives you may want to consider:

Citi-costco-anywhere-visa-credit-card review

best buy credit card

Sam's Club® Mastercard®

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Best Buy Visa Card
Sam's Club® Mastercard®
Annual Fee
$0 *
$0–$59 based on creditworthiness
$0
Rewards
1-4% 4% cash back on on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% cash back on restaurants and most travel purchases, 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com, 1% cash back on all other purchases
1-5% 5% back in rewards on shopping at BestBuy ( 6% back* in rewards for Elite Plus Cardmembers), 3% back in rewards on gas purchases, 2% back in rewards on dining, takeout and grocery purchases, 1% back in rewards on everyday purchases
1-5% 5% cash back on gas anywhere Mastercard is accepted (on the first $6,000 per year, then 1% after), 3% cash back on Sam’s Club purchases for Plus members, 3% on dining and takeout and 1% on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
None None
10% first day 10% back in rewards on your first day of purchase
None None
Foreign Transaction Fee
0%
N/A
N/A
Purchase APR
20.49% (Variable)
29.24% Variable
19.90% or 27.90% Variable

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Andrew O'Malley

Andrew O'Malley

Andrew O’Malley has a BSc in Economics and Finance. He has worked in the finance industry as a risk analyst and is now pursuing a career in writing. In recent years, he has written for a number of leading publications. He studied Economics and Finance and has been fascinated with the financial markets since his teens.
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The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. 

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.