topic Re: Costco Card SUB in Credit Cards

Costco Card SUB

creditrizz — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 18:17:03 GMT

Costco finally came around and offered a SUB. Even though it's kinda weak, it's an improvement over the previous SUB which was a Kirkland cooler tote for signing up in store lol. Rewceived Via Email:

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Earn a $75 statement credit

After spending $1,500 within the first 3 months of account opening.

Offers may vary and this offer may not be available in other places where the card is offered.

Valid 10/3/24 - 10/27/24

Re: Costco Card SUB

creditrizz — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 18:20:20 GMT

Re: Costco Card SUB

Aim_High — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 02:18:41 GMT

Thanks for the info, @creditrizz. Now if they'd just fix the card! When it first came out, it was pretty awesome and better than the AMEX variant (True Earnings) that it replaced in 2016. Since then, it's become much more routine to exceed the 4% gas - 3% restaurant/travel - 2% Costco and the 1% everything was always lame. I used my card a lot in the early years on Costco - restaurant/travel - gas. I still use it for the 4% gas but the heavier dining-travel spend now goes to my more lucrative cards such as Chase Sapphire Reserve, my previous AMEX Gold, or BofA Premium Rewards Elite. For those who don't want to pay an AF, there are several other great cards that earn well in those categories. And the 2% at Costco can be matched by any number of other 2% cards and beaten by several 2.5% or higher cards, so I don't use it at Costco any longer.

Consequently, I have a $46K credit limit card that is primarily a gasoline card! LOL Plus it doubles as my Costco membership card.

For Costco earnings, @PullingMeSoftly had >a great thread< that broke down multiple options to maximize Costco rewards. For me, I get 3.5% back at warehouse on my Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards with Preferred Rewards Platinum Honors in addition to the additional 2% I earn with an Executive membership - after the additional $60 AF is repaid. But I can also earn 3% on my AOD FCU Visa (up to $1500 monthly) or 2.625% on my Bank of America Preferred Rewards Elite with Platinum Honors. For those without either AOD or BofA Preferred Rewards, the Alliant Visa Signature can earn 2.5% everything with no AF.

All-in-all, I think the CITI Costco Visa is due for a refresh due to changes in the competition in the past eight years!

Re: Costco Card SUB

creditrizz — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 23:44:56 GMT

Yeah personally I think the Costco card is pretty weak in general and wouldn't get it myself. Getting the cashback only one time per year is pretty ridiculous. Even having to wait for the Fidelity one to add up to $50 before redeeming annoys me.

Re: Costco Card SUB

Aim_High — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 02:15:21 GMT

@creditrizz wrote:
Yeah personally I think the Costco card is pretty weak in general and wouldn't get it myself. Getting the cashback only one time per year is pretty ridiculous. Even having to wait for the Fidelity one to add up to $50 before redeeming annoys me.

I agree that the once-a-year cash back is annoying and having to redeem my rewards in the warehouse. And with the Executive membership, you end up with (2) rewards checks a year to remember. But all of that is a minor inconvenience as I don't always cash in my rewards immediately anyway, even when I can do so.

The card itself is fine. As I said, in 2016 it was a pretty good card as there were far fewer 2%+ options, and 3% on travel-dining was even uncommon. Not so much anymore. I would still recommend the card, depending on what other cards someone already carried and how often they shopped at Costco, but the card would benefit from a major refresh. Maybe Costco needs to leverage their retail clout by working AMEX or Mastercard back against CITI/Visa.

Re: Costco Card SUB

ElvisCaprice — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 06:40:22 GMT

I rarely use it myself, Costco CC. But it does have no FTF, so a nice backup if traveling.

Re: Costco Card SUB

ElvisCaprice — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 06:55:12 GMT

@Aim_High wrote:
For me, I get 3.5% back at warehouse on my Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards with Preferred Rewards Platinum Honors in addition to the additional 2% I earn with an Executive membership - after the additional $60 AF is repaid.

Buy the Costco Shop Card online, digital or physical with your CCR card (online category) and get 5.25% with Platinum Honors. Plus your 2% Exec.

I will buy digital online (faster to receive) and transfer to physical (more secure) at Warehouse Service Center Counter. Then I keep a copy of the shop card on my phone in Google Wallet. Works great. Add to it as needed if I'm not working discounted Shop Cards, which I've been lately for an additional 20%.

Re: Costco Card SUB

Aim_High — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 18:53:23 GMT

@ElvisCaprice wrote:
@Aim_High wrote:
For me, I get 3.5% back at warehouse on my Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards with Preferred Rewards Platinum Honors in addition to the additional 2% I earn with an Executive membership - after the additional $60 AF is repaid.
Buy the Costco Shop Card online, digital or physical with your CCR card (online category) and get 5.25% with Platinum Honors. Plus your 2% Exec. I will buy digital online (faster to receive) and transfer to physical (more secure) at Warehouse Service Center Counter. Then I keep a copy of the shop card on my phone in Google Wallet. Works great. Add to it as needed if I'm not working discounted Shop Cards, which I've been lately for an additional 20%.

Thanks, @ElvisCaprice! That's excellent advice and something I had never considering doing to eek a little higher rewards at Costco!