The 5 Best Credit Cards for Costco in 2026 (That Beat the Store Card)

If you shop at Costco, you know the drill: Visa only. This single rule instantly disqualifies some of the best cash-back cards on the market (looking at you, Amex Blue Cash Preferred).

Most shoppers default to the Costco Anywhere Visa® by Citi, assuming it’s the unbeatable option. And to be fair, it’s solid:

• 4% on Gas (EV charging included)
• 3% on Travel & Dining
• 2% at Costco

But here’s the secret: 2% is the baseline, not the ceiling.

In 2026, several cards have emerged that math-matically outperform the store card inside the warehouse. We’ve ranked the top 5 contenders that will earn you more cash back on your bulk buys.

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1. The Cash Back King: Robinhood Gold Card

Reward Rate: 3% Flat Cash Back

If you want the highest uncapped return with zero effort, the Robinhood Gold Card is the new champion. It earns a flat 3% cash back on everything, including Costco.

• The Math: Spending $500/month at Costco earns you $180/year, compared to $120 with the Citi card.
• The Catch: You must have a Robinhood Gold subscription ($50/year or $5/mo).
• Verdict: Even with the subscription fee, if you spend more than $5,000/year across all your shopping (not just Costco), you come out ahead.
• Read our deep dive on the Robinhood Costco Strategy →

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2. The Travel Hacker’s Choice: U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve

Reward Rate: 3x Points (4.5% Effective Return on Travel)

This is the sleeper hit of the credit card world. The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve earns 3x points on all Mobile Wallet purchases (Apple Pay, Google Pay).

Since Costco warehouses accept mobile payments at the terminal, you earn 3 points per dollar. When redeemed for travel (Real-Time Rewards), points are worth 1.5 cents each.

• The Math: 3 points x 1.5 cents = 4.5% return on every Costco run.
• The Catch: $400 annual fee (mostly offset by $325 in dining/travel credits).
• Verdict: If you travel at all, this card effectively pays you 4.5% to shop at Costco. It is unbeatable for travelers.

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3. The High Roller: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards

Reward Rate: up to 5.25% Cash Back

This card lets you choose your 3% category, and "Wholesale Clubs" is an option. But the real magic happens if you have assets with Bank of America or Merrill Edge.

• Base Tier: 2% at Costco (Same as Citi).

• Platinum Honors ($100k+ assets): 5.25% at Costco.

• The Math: 5.25% is the highest percentage on this list.

• The Catch: There is a $2,500 quarterly cap on the 3% (or 5.25%) category spend.

• Verdict: If you have the assets to qualify for Platinum Honors, this is mathematically the highest earner, provided you stay under the $2,500/quarter cap.

• See our full BofA Platinum Honors guide →

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4. The "Set It and Forget It" Alternative: Venmo Credit Card

Reward Rate: 3% on Your Top Spend Category

The Venmo Credit Card automatically earns 3% cash back on your eligible top spend category each billing cycle. "Grocery" is a category, and uniquely, Venmo includes Wholesale Clubs as Grocery.

• The Math: Use this card only at Costco to guarantee it's your top category, earning an automatic 3%.
• The Catch: The 3% applies to your top category up to $10,000 in spend per year.
• Verdict: A fantastic no-annual-fee option if you don't want a Robinhood account but want better than 2%.

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5. The Honorable Mention: Capital One Venture X

Reward Rate: 2x Miles

While 2x miles (minimum 2% return) matches the Costco Visa’s 2%, the Venture X wins on flexibility and benefits. You aren't tied to a once-a-year reward certificate; you earn miles that can be transferred to airline partners for potentially huge value.

• The Math: 2x miles. If you redeem for business class flights, value can exceed 4%+.
• The Catch: $395 annual fee (offset by travel credits).
• Verdict: Perfect for those who want a simple "catch-all" card for non-bonus spending, including Costco.
• Compare Venture X vs. Sapphire Reserve →

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Summary: Which Card Wins?

Card	Return at Costco	Best For...
BofA Customized Cash (Platinum Honors)	5.25%	High Net Worth Individuals
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve	4.5%	Travelers who use Apple Pay
Robinhood Gold	3.0%	Cash Back Maximizers
Venmo Credit Card	3.0%	Simplicity (No Annual Fees)
Costco Anywhere Visa	2.0%	Gas & Convenience

Don't Forget: All of these strategies stack with your Costco Executive Membership. If you are an Executive member (2%), pairing it with the Robinhood Gold Card (3%) nets you a whopping 5% total return on every rotisserie chicken.

Read our Breakeven Analysis on the Executive Membership here →