topic Re: Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa in Credit Cards

Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa

Repo-ed — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 12:45:00 GMT

Guys, I'm sad to report that my googlefoo as failed me in my search for a comparision, and It can't be because one doens't exist. I just failed to find it.

Anyone know of a side-by-side comparison of the two?

Anyone here have both and could share how they get the most out of each?

I shop 99% of the time via Amazon and get all my gas a just a few items from Costco, but I always default to my Costco card for whateve reason, and I have a feeling it should be the other way around (minus the gas purchases).

I've consolidiated 30+ CC's down to 5 (The above 2 + Amex Buisness + Amex Delta Gold (About to be cut as AF is about to become due) + Discover IT (it's frozen)(moved all of my banking from USAA to Discover))

Thanks in advance as always!

Re: Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa

AverageJoesCredit — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 12:56:09 GMT

All you need to do is search The Amazon card by Chase, look at the rewards structure, then look at the rewards structure of the Costco Visa and see which ones rewards work better for your overall profile. 5% off Amazon vs 4% Gas i believe. Which ever will save you more go for that

Re: Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa

Repo-ed — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 13:44:51 GMT

Doing some alt-tabbing the Amazon visa from Chase should just be used for Amazon purchases and Costco (I have the exec membership for the +2%) purchases of gas and all other costco related items using their costco card.

The "everything" else category are the same between cards, and ultimately comes down to what I want at the end of each year: More amazon cash back (to be used for future amazon purchases) or Costco cashback each february to pay for the AF + +.

Re: Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa

Anonymous — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 13:59:00 GMT

@Repo-edwrote:
Doing some alt-tabbing the Amazon visa from Chase should just be used for Amazon purchases and Costco (I have the exec membership for the +2%) purchases of gas and all other costco related items using their costco card.

The "everything" else category are the same between cards, and ultimately comes down to what I want at the end of each year: More amazon cash back (to be used for future amazon purchases) or Costco cashback each february to pay for the AF + +.

Does the Amazon not give rewards until the end of the year like Costco in a lump sum? Or do they give it monthly? I had the Chase card years ago and PC'd it to the FU when it came out. I didn't know about the Prime one until I came back around these parts. But the rewards once a year thing really bugs me with the Costco.

Re: Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa

Anonymous — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 15:06:05 GMT

You can cash out whenever you build up more than $20. Or use rewards at any balance for Amazon purchases. Amazon prime card also earns 2% at gas so your opportunity costs should only be +2% at gas stations(unless Amazon card does not earn at costco gas?)

Re: Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa

Repo-ed — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 15:16:12 GMT

My fault for not specificying.

Yes, you're amazon points/dollars are available as as you spend and can be used in part/full of an subsequen purchase, whereas you stated, the cash back reward from costco comes but 1x/yr.

Re: Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa

Repo-ed — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 15:18:03 GMT

I know I can use my Costco Citi visa at Sams Club, but I do not believe I can use another CC (I can use a debt visa from any bank at the pump at any costco) regardless of branding other than the Costco VISA.

I'm on my way there now, so I'll find out for sure here shortly.

Re: Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa

iheartwings — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 16:01:44 GMT

@Repo-edwrote:
Guys, I'm sad to report that my googlefoo as failed me in my search for a comparision, and It can't be because one doens't exist. I just failed to find it.

Anyone know of a side-by-side comparison of the two?

Anyone here have both and could share how they get the most out of each?

I shop 99% of the time via Amazon and get all my gas a just a few items from Costco, but I always default to my Costco card for whateve reason, and I have a feeling it should be the other way around (minus the gas purchases).

I've consolidiated 30+ CC's down to 5 (The above 2 + Amex Buisness + Amex Delta Gold (About to be cut as AF is about to become due) + Discover IT (it's frozen)(moved all of my banking from USAA to Discover))

Thanks in advance as always!

Amazon Prime Visa Rewards structure is 5% on Amazon Purchases, 2% on restaurants/drug stores/gas stations, and 1% on all other purchases. You can redeem for cash or credit on Amazon purchases as mentioned previously once over a threshold.

Citi Costco Anywhere Visa Rewards structure is 4% on gas stations (including Costco gas, limited on first $7000 spent in a year), 3% on dining and travel, 2% on Costco, and 1% on everything else. You get a check cut once a year in Februrary for cashback. Also, you can eligible for SP CLI (which you can go for every six months).

Both cards are now without FTF.

So, I would say:

Amazon Prime VS: Amazon, drugstores

Costco Anywhere VS: Gas, dining, travel, and Costco.

Discover: any of the above categories when it's 5% cashback.

If none of the above - then it doesn't matter since you're getting 1% CB from any of those three.

Does that even help?

Re: Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa

SBR249 — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 17:46:53 GMT

I have both the Amazon Visa and the Costco Visa and I have to say that I use the Amazon CC much more at the moment. I think it's because right now Chase is giving me 5% CB on restaurants until end of May and I shop a lot on Amazon anyway. Before that, the Amazon card was strictly for Amazon purchases. Normally, I would use Uber/Discover for restaurants and the PenFed Plat Rewards/Discover for gas. The main reason I would use the Costco Visa is to make major electronics purchases (4 year warranty) and possibly for spending overseas (although many of my cards have no FTF anyway so it's a tossup there). This probably isn't very helpful if you are looking for a main driver that covers everything since that's not what I use these cards for but I would say unless you shop a lot on Amazon, the Costco card covers more categories with higher rewards (4% gas, 3% restaurants) if you are willing to wait for annual redemptions.

Re: Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa

nrm — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 19:12:07 GMT

Many missed the extra 2% for shopping at Costco and Costco.com. The check mailed out in August each year. Plus, if your cash back each year does not offset the $120.00 annual fee, Costco will reimburse you the difference. Personally, I avoid Chase at all cost.

Re: Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa

Repo-ed — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 19:22:32 GMT

Thank you everyone for the feedback. All was great and helpful!

I did swing by Costco to put a whopping .86 gallon of gas into my card and noticed that both at the pump AND inside the store, they do accept ANY VISA for the payment portion of your tranaction. Of course, you will still need a Costco membership to swipe at the pump before being asked to swipe/insert your VISA and the same inside.

Thanks again everyone.

Re: Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa

SBR249 — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 19:31:46 GMT

@nrmwrote:
Many missed the extra 2% for shopping at Costco and Costco.com. The check mailed out in August each year. Plus, if your cash back each year does not offset the $120.00 annual fee, Costco will reimburse you the difference. Personally, I avoid Chase at all cost.

I believe the redemption check for Costco Visa holders is actually mailed out in February. At least that's when I got mine this year. Also the reimburse-the-difference policy hasn't been a thing for quite some time now. At least I have never heard of anyone successfully claiming this in several years now. If you've upgraded from regular to executive membership within the past year and you are not satisfied, I think Costco does have a policy of refunding you the difference at any point within that year. They also have an unconditional guarantee where they will cancel and refund your membership fee at any time if you aren't satisfied. But AFAIK, there's no active policy where if you don't make your membership cost back in CB they'll reimburse and let you keep your membership and let you do that year after year.

I will also note that Costco will take any VISA credit card in store, they will also take any debit card (no network restriction) in store, and they will take any credit card online (no network restriction). If you aren't a member, they may tack on a surcharge for online purchases. If you'd like to shop in store, you can always ask a friend to buy you a Costco cash card, then you can shop without a membership.

Re: Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa

nrm — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 20:37:52 GMT

@SBR249wrote:
@nrmwrote:
Many missed the extra 2% for shopping at Costco and Costco.com. The check mailed out in August each year. Plus, if your cash back each year does not offset the $120.00 annual fee, Costco will reimburse you the difference. Personally, I avoid Chase at all cost.
I believe the redemption check for Costco Visa holders is actually mailed out in February. At least that's when I got mine this year. Also the reimburse-the-difference policy hasn't been a thing for quite some time now. At least I have never heard of anyone successfully claiming this in several years now. If you've upgraded from regular to executive membership within the past year and you are not satisfied, I think Costco does have a policy of refunding you the difference at any point within that year. They also have an unconditional guarantee where they will cancel and refund your membership fee at any time if you aren't satisfied. But AFAIK, there's no active policy where if you don't make your membership cost back in CB they'll reimburse and let you keep your membership and let you do that year after year.

I will also note that Costco will take any VISA credit card in store, they will also take any debit card (no network restriction) in store, and they will take any credit card online (no network restriction). If you aren't a member, they may tack on a surcharge for online purchases. If you'd like to shop in store, you can always ask a friend to buy you a Costco cash card, then you can shop without a membership.

This is not true! Amex is a no no.

Also, most members exceed their annual fee in term of cash back, thus so far almost none has claimed the difference in annual fee.

http://funcheaporfree.com/2013/03/howtogetthemostoutofyourcostcomembership/

Re: Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa

AverageJoesCredit — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 20:40:47 GMT

Curious minds want to know...how in devils eggs did you put a gallon of gas into your card? LOL but seriously, are you Steven Segal

Re: Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa

Anonymous — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 22:05:32 GMT

To get 5 percent back at Amazon you have to get prime membership. So it is a 99 dollar annual fee card. That makes the card pretty worthless if you are concerned about saving money as I am always able to find better deal elsewhere than Amazon. The only time I order there is when someone gives me a gift card.

Re: Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa

HeavenOhio — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 01:27:48 GMT

Without a Prime membership, the Chase Amazon card still offers 3% rewards on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases. And the 2% categories remain the same. Without a Costco membership, the card can't be kept.

Re: Chase Amazon Prime Visa vs Citi Costco Visa

SBR249 — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 13:31:48 GMT

@nrmwrote:
@SBR249wrote:
@nrmwrote:
Many missed the extra 2% for shopping at Costco and Costco.com. The check mailed out in August each year. Plus, if your cash back each year does not offset the $120.00 annual fee, Costco will reimburse you the difference. Personally, I avoid Chase at all cost.
I believe the redemption check for Costco Visa holders is actually mailed out in February. At least that's when I got mine this year. Also the reimburse-the-difference policy hasn't been a thing for quite some time now. At least I have never heard of anyone successfully claiming this in several years now. If you've upgraded from regular to executive membership within the past year and you are not satisfied, I think Costco does have a policy of refunding you the difference at any point within that year. They also have an unconditional guarantee where they will cancel and refund your membership fee at any time if you aren't satisfied. But AFAIK, there's no active policy where if you don't make your membership cost back in CB they'll reimburse and let you keep your membership and let you do that year after year.

I will also note that Costco will take any VISA credit card in store, they will also take any debit card (no network restriction) in store, and they will take any credit card online (no network restriction). If you aren't a member, they may tack on a surcharge for online purchases. If you'd like to shop in store, you can always ask a friend to buy you a Costco cash card, then you can shop without a membership.
This is not true! Amex is a no no.

Also, most members exceed their annual fee in term of cash back, thus so far almost none has claimed the difference in annual fee.

http://funcheaporfree.com/2013/03/howtogetthemostoutofyourcostcomembership/

I stand corrected, Costco's website will only accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. However, I do stand by the fact that a reimbursement of the difference is not an official policy that I can find anywhere or have heard any Costco associate say when promoting the higher tier. Despite the fact that most people who sign up for executive membership do probably at least breakeven, there is no guarantee that I've ever seen or heard of that Costco will always make sure that you do beyond their standard promise to cancel and refund your membership in full whenever you ask. I, for one, will be most interested to see any source that proves me to be incorrect in this respect because I would sign up for an executive membership in a heartbeat in that case.