Costco Anywhere Visa Gas Rewards: What You Actually Earn in 2026

The Costco Anywhere Visa is one of the most popular gas cards in America. But between the 5% Costco rate, the 4% everywhere-else rate, the $7,000 cap, and the membership requirement, understanding your actual return takes some math.

Reward Rate Breakdown

At Costco gas stations only

Applies only at Costco-branded fuel pumps. Costco gas is typically $0.10-$0.25/gal cheaper than street prices.

At all other gas stations + EV charging

Shell, BP, Exxon, Chevron, independent stations, and public EV charging networks.

Restaurants + Travel

Costco purchases

Everything else

Annual fee: $0 for the card. Costco membership required: Gold Star $65/year, Executive $130/year. APR: 21.24% variable.

The $7,000 Cap in Practice

The 4%/5% gas rate applies to the first $7,000 in combined gas and EV charging purchases per year. After $7,000, gas earns 1%. Here is when you hit the cap at different monthly spend levels:

Monthly gas	Annual gas	Hits $7K cap	Annual reward (4%)*
$150/mo	$1,800	Never	$72
$200/mo	$2,400	Never	$96
$300/mo	$3,600	Never	$144
$400/mo	$4,800	Never	$192
$500/mo	$6,000	Never	$240
$600/mo	$7,200	Month 12	$282
$700/mo	$8,400	Month 10	$294
$800/mo	$9,600	Month 9	$306

*Annual reward assumes 4% at non-Costco stations. If you fill up mostly at Costco (5%), annual rewards are higher. Rewards above $7,000 in gas spending earn 1%.

Costco Gas vs Other Stations

Costco gas is typically $0.10-$0.25/gallon cheaper than nearby branded stations. Combined with the 5% card reward (17.5 cents/gal at $3.50), your total per-gallon savings at Costco is 27.5-42.5 cents/gallon compared to paying full price with a basic card at a branded station.

But is it worth driving further to Costco? If Costco is 5 miles out of your way (10 miles round trip), at 25 MPG and $3.50/gal, the extra driving costs $1.40. If you fill up 15 gallons, the price savings of $0.15/gal = $2.25. The extra 1% card bonus (5% vs 4%) on a $52 fill-up = $0.52. Net benefit of going to Costco: $2.25 + $0.52 - $1.40 = $1.37 per fill-up. Worth it for most drivers unless Costco is significantly out of your way.

Membership Cost Factor

The Costco Anywhere Visa has no annual fee, but it requires a Costco membership. If you would not otherwise be a Costco member, the Gold Star membership ($65/year) is an effective annual fee.

At 4% on $200/month gas: $96/year in rewards - $65 membership = $31 net

At 4% on $300/month gas: $144/year in rewards - $65 membership = $79 net

Break-even gas spend for membership: $135/month at 4%

Most Costco cardholders also shop at Costco for groceries and household items, so the membership pays for itself through in-store savings. If you already have a membership, the gas card adds pure value with no additional cost.

Where It Does NOT Earn Gas Rewards

xSupermarket gas pumps (Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons) that may use a grocery MCC
xWalmart and superstore gas stations that may use a general merchandise MCC
xConvenience stores that sell gas but are classified under a convenience store MCC
xOther warehouse clubs (Sam's Club, BJ's): Costco Visa does earn 4% here if they use a gas MCC, but Costco will not accept non-Visa payment at its own pumps

Costco Visa vs Citi Custom Cash vs PenFed

Card	At $200/mo	At $400/mo	At $600/mo
Costco Anywhere Visa (4%)	$96	$192	$282
Citi Custom Cash (5%)	$120	$240	$300
PenFed Platinum (4.25%)	$102	$204	$306

Net annual return on gas only. No annual fee for any card. Costco membership cost ($65) not subtracted. Costco rate assumes 4% (non-Costco stations). PenFed at 4.25% effective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Costco credit card give cash back on gas everywhere?+

The Costco Anywhere Visa earns 5% at Costco gas stations and 4% at all other gas stations and EV charging stations. The 5% rate applies only at Costco-branded fuel pumps. At Shell, BP, Exxon, or any other station, you earn 4%. Both rates share the same $7,000 annual combined cap.

Is the Costco membership fee worth it just for the gas card?+

A Costco Gold Star membership costs $65/year. If you spend $200/month on gas at non-Costco stations (4%), you earn $96/year in gas rewards. After the $65 membership cost, your net return is only $31. The card is only worth it for gas alone if you spend more than $163/month on gas. Most people justify the membership through grocery and household savings, making the gas card a bonus.

When do you hit the $7,000 cap on the Costco gas card?+

At $500/month in gas spending, your annual gas charges total $6,000, which is under the cap. At $600/month, you reach $7,200/year and hit the cap in month 12. At $700/month, you hit it in month 10. After the cap, gas earns only 1% for the rest of the year. Most drivers spending under $500/month will never hit the cap.

Full Comparison Table

See all gas cards ranked side by side.

No Annual Fee Cards

Technically no card fee, but membership cost matters.

Station Loyalty Programs

Costco gas in the warehouse club fuel section.

Rewards Calculator

Compare Costco Visa against any other card at your spend.