Costco Credit Card Pre-Approval

Yes, the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi now lets you prequalify before submitting a formal application. Citi began updating its credit card application process in April 2026 to offer a soft-pull prequalification step before applying. The current Costco application process allows you to check whether you may be prequalified without affecting your credit score. If you decide to apply after receiving a prequalified offer, Citi may perform a hard credit inquiry as part of the formal application process.

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Does the Costco Credit Card Have Prequalification?

Yes. Citi currently provides a prequalification option for the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card. The prequalification process appears when you begin the current application process for the card, allowing you to find out whether you may qualify before submitting the formal credit card application.

This is important because some older information about the Costco credit card says that Citi does not offer prequalification. Citi's current application process now specifically provides a way to check for prequalification before applying.

Is Costco Credit Card Prequalification a Soft Pull?

Yes. Citi states that checking whether you are prequalified does not impact your credit score. The initial prequalification uses a soft credit inquiry rather than the hard inquiry that may occur when you submit the formal application.

This means you can check for a potential Costco credit card offer without taking the credit-score hit associated with a hard inquiry. However, the soft-pull prequalification is only an initial screening and does not mean the account has been opened.

How Does Costco Credit Card Prequalification Work?

The process begins with the normal Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi application path. Click the link below to go to the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi page, then click the Apply Now button. Citi will then give you the opportunity to prequalify before submitting the formal application.

➤ Check for Costco Credit Card Prequalification

After you click Apply Now, Citi will ask for the information needed to determine whether you have a prequalified offer. You must have a Costco membership to complete the prequalification process. If you are not already a Costco member, you will need to become a member before applying for the card.

The prequalification check uses a soft credit inquiry and does not affect your credit score.

If Citi shows that you are prequalified, you can then decide whether you want to continue with the formal application. A hard credit inquiry may occur if you submit the formal application.

Does Costco Prequalification Guarantee Approval?

No. A prequalified offer is not a guarantee that Citi will approve your application.

Prequalification is based on an initial review. When you submit the formal application, Citi can review additional information and make the final credit decision. The formal application may also result in a hard credit inquiry.

Therefore, it is important to understand the difference between being prequalified and being approved for the Costco credit card. Prequalification can indicate that you may qualify, but final approval still depends on Citi's review of your application.

What Credit Score Do You Need for the Costco Credit Card?

Citi does not publish a single minimum credit score that guarantees approval for the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card. Your credit history, income, existing obligations, and other information can be considered as part of the approval process.

This is an excellent-credit card, and applicants generally need excellent or very strong credit to have a realistic chance of approval. Based on our experience with this card, applicants who do not have excellent credit should not expect to qualify, even though Citi does not publish a specific minimum credit score.

Having a particular credit score does not guarantee approval, and a prequalification result should not be treated as a promise that the final application will be approved.

Is Costco Credit Card Pre Approval the Same as Prequalification?

If you searched for Costco credit card pre approval, the terminology can be confusing. Citi currently describes this process as prequalification, rather than promising that you have been fully approved for the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card.

The important distinction is that prequalification is the preliminary soft-pull step. A formal application is still required before Citi makes the final credit decision and opens the account.

So if you are looking for Costco credit card preapproval, the current Citi process you want to look for is its prequalification option.

About the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi

The Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi offers rewards on Costco purchases, gas, dining, travel, and other purchases. It has no separate annual fee, although a Costco membership is required.

If you want to compare the card's rewards, benefits, drawbacks, approval considerations, and ways to maximize your rewards, see our complete Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi review.