@Anonymous wrote:
@wingennis wrote:I order from Costco via Instacart which eliminates the Visa requirement. I used to use my BCP, now I use my Amex Gold for 4x. Costco codes as groceries via Instacart so you can use any of the rotating cards during 5% grocery quarters that way.
Isn't there an instacart markup ?
The flip side of this if you shop for what you need from a list you spend less than wandering through a store. Personal nature has almost everyone picking up extra things. The extra charge & tip might/or might not outweigh the extra items, gas, & time !!
I go to my local Costco, my daughter orders her stuff, swears she spends less. Can't agree on this in my own family 
@digitek wrote:As always Pulling (😁 edit) this is a well researched breakdown, nice write up.
One small correction is for Altitude Reserve it is 4.5% when redeemed for any travel you book, doesn't have to be through their portal. This is something that kind of sets it apart from other cards with increased rewards when booking travel as it doesn't have to be done through their portal, you can book however you want and booking directly can have some benefits.
Thanks @digitek good catch, revised!
@Who_wuda_thought wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@wingennis wrote:I order from Costco via Instacart which eliminates the Visa requirement. I used to use my BCP, now I use my Amex Gold for 4x. Costco codes as groceries via Instacart so you can use any of the rotating cards during 5% grocery quarters that way.
Isn't there an instacart markup ?
@Anonymous Yes, and (hopefully if decent customer) 15%-20% tip. Many who live quite aways from Costco and/or don't want to personally involve themselves in the circus of parking/shopping at Costco find the extra cost well worth it.
Thank you for answering. Our rural area hasn't experienced a huge mark up yet. I will pay a lot to avoid going into Costco. I used to pay the extra for the upgraded Sam's Club membership that let you go early before it opened to the public.
@ptatohed wrote:The Bellco CU Colorado Rewards Visa offers 3x points on wholesale clubs (and quite a lot more categories actually - grocery, gas, etc., etc.). From what I read, there is an easy backdoor into the CU. The rub is if you redeem statement credit (or gift cards) at $25 redemption, it's 1 pt = 0.83c (2.5% CB). At $50 redemption, it's the same. But if you can hold out until you have 10,000 pts, you can get a $100 statement credit so 1 pt = 1.0c (3.0% CB). You can also redeem for merchandise.
15,000 intro bonus points for $500/90 days spend. And they have a way to earn extra points shopping with certain merchants.
I also read their customer support isn't so great.
Thanks @ptatohed, great info, added!
@Hex wrote:The AAA Daily Advantage Signature Visa from Comenity bank offeres 3% on wholesale clubs. Unfortunately I'm not seeing any purchase protection or extended warranty coverage with this card. Maybe only use it for small ticket items where it doesn't matter. The same holds true for AOD.
Forgot about this one, thanks @Hex, added! The Daily Advantage is actually looking like a pretty strong offering (reservations about Comenity not withstanding)
Interesting timely article posted on DOC, regarding digital Costco shop cards. Per the article, "The e-cards work both online and in the warehouse, but they are more limited than the physical version in that they do not work for Costco gas. The fine print also mentions that the digital cards do no work at Food Courts."
Thanks @wingennis, @Who_wuda_thought, @wasCB14, @Anonymous for the thoughts on Costco online shopping, which is helpful to those who indeed want to avoid the crowds (especially the guy eating a food sample strolling with his cart blocking the aisle ugghhhh!)
I use my Vantage West VISA for 5% back @ Costco.
However, their pharmacy POS is NOT set up as a warehouse club but more like medical so they can accept HSA/FSA VISA or MC.
Using my Vantage West there only gets my 1%. But if i purchase a cash/shop card at a regular register, then that gets me the 5%, and than I use that cash/shop card at the pharmacy.
