Data Points for Costco Anywhere Closure for Non-Membership

[SunriseEarth]

I received an email today that advised that my Citi Costco Anywhere would be closed on January 18th due to my lackof Costco membership status.   I have not been a Costco member since I cancelled my account in August 2016.   The only charge that has ever been made on my Costco card since it transferred from AMEX was the August 2016 billing for membership.   This was refunded to me in cash at the store.

Unfortunately, I really have no options with the card.   I reached out to the EO, and they stated that you could PC into Costco, but not out of Costco.   The CL could be reallocated, but $2K would have to stay on the Costco card and I'd have to take an HP.   I'm not willing to take an HP to get a measly $1200 bump on my Double Cash.   And if I'm taking an HP, I'd be better off outright asking for a CLI on the Double Cash (and I'm not even willing to do that at this point).

In today's snail mail, Citi sent me pre-approvals for Simplicity, Diamond Preferred, and a personal loan.   I have absolutely no interest in any of those, so those went into the recycle bin.  

EDIT:  To help clear up any confusion, I have updated the thread title to better highlight the purpose of my post, which is to provide data regarding inactivity and the role of membership status on the Citi Costco card.   

[AverageJoesCredit]

Burn down the Citi

*** not literally kiddos*** please Citi responsibly***

[Kforce]

I don't understand the problem or frustration.

The Costco Anywhere was designed around Costco Members with the rewards only redeemable at Costco. The need for Costco membership was not secret or hidden information it was needed to get the card.Without membership the cards rewards can not be redeemed, so the card would be worthless. This is not a fault of Citi or Costco. It is like getting a Union-76 gas card and surprised it is not able to be used at a Shell Gas station. Then wanting 76 to transfer it to Shell ? You got a Costco Card and don't shop at Costco. It was just a question of how long, not if or why.

Now we have a good "how long" data point.

[kdm31091]

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@Kforce wrote:

I don't understand the problem or frustration.

The Costco Anywhere was designed around Costco Members with the rewards only redeemable at Costco. The need for Costco membership was not secret or hidden information it was needed to get the card.Without membership the cards rewards can not be redeemed, so the card would be worthless. This is not a fault of Citi or Costco. It is like getting a Union-76 gas card and surprised it is not able to be used at a Shell Gas station. Then wanting 76 to transfer it to Shell ? You got a Costco Card and don't shop at Costco. It was just a question of how long, not if or why.

Now we have a good "how long" data point.

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Agreed here. You have to look at the Costco membership as basically a required AF regardless of whether you shop there or not.

[Anonymous]

Really SunriseEarth, as much as you review this board your issue should not come as a surprise It is like being closed for "account inactivity".

[Physh1]

Such an interesting post. You didn't use the card but one time, you didn't renew your Costco membership, so the card has been basically useless for you right? Maybe I'm missing something...

[wasCB14]

I'm surprised they kept it open this long. I'd have expected Citi to close it within a few weeks or months of you leaving Costco.

[BronzeTrader]

It is easy.  If you do not quality and do not use it now, no point to keep it.  PC it, or just close it.  Move on....

[SunriseEarth]

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@Kforce wrote:

I don't understand the problem or frustration.

Now we have a good "how long" data point.

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There is no problem or frustration.   

Because the purpose of this Forum is to share product information, I have provided data points about how long a cardholder may be able to still have their Costco CC account open after terming their membership

[SunriseEarth]

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@wasCB14 wrote:

I'm surprised they kept it open this long. I'd have expected Citi to close it within a few weeks or months of you leaving Costco.

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I'm suprised as well.  Citi has always stated that an active membership is a prerequisite to having the account open.   So I found it interesting that they'd take so long.