How to Redeem Your Costco Credit Card Rewards Certificate: Step-by-Step Guide

November 13, 2025

One of the most important steps in maximizing the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi is understanding how to access and redeem the cash back you've earned. Unlike many credit cards that offer monthly statement credits or direct deposits, the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi uses a unique, once-a-year certificate system.

This guide will walk you through exactly when you receive your certificate, how to find it, and the simple steps to turn your hard-earned rewards into cash or merchandise.

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Step 1: Know When and How Your Certificate is Issued

The first key difference with the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi is the timing of your payout.

Citi issues annual credit card reward certificates after your February billing statement closes each year.

How you receive it:

Paper Statements: The certificate will be mailed to you as a physical piece of paper along with your February paper statement.

Paperless Statements: If you've opted for paperless statements, you'll receive an email notification containing a link to your digital certificate.

Citi Mobile App: You can also securely access a digital version of your certificate, complete with a scannable barcode, directly through the Citi Mobile^® App.

Eligibility Note: To receive a certificate, you must have an open credit card account, be an active Costco member, and have earned more than $1 in rewards during the prior calendar year.

Step 2: Understand the "Where" and "How" of Redemption

Once you have your certificate (digital or paper), you have two primary options for redemption, but both require a visit to a physical U.S. Costco warehouse.

Option A: Redeem for Cash (The Most Flexible Option)

You can present your certificate at any Costco warehouse and request the full amount in cash. Many members prefer this method because they can then use that cash however they wish, effectively converting their rewards into "real money" outside of the Costco ecosystem.

Option B: Redeem for Merchandise

You can apply the value of the certificate toward a purchase at the checkout register. If your purchase total is less than the certificate amount, the cashier will give you the remaining balance in cash.

Where You Cannot Redeem It:

It's crucial to know where your certificate is not accepted:

You cannot use the certificate online at Costco.com.

You cannot apply it as a payment to your credit card bill.

You cannot use it at the gas station or food court kiosks directly.

Step 3: Present Your Certificate at the Warehouse

Redeeming the certificate at the store is straightforward:

1. Shop: Fill your cart with items.

2. Checkout: Go to a standard checkout register (self-checkout kiosks may not accept the certificate directly).

3. Present: Hand the paper certificate to the cashier, or open the Citi Mobile^® App and show the barcode to be scanned.

4. Confirm: The value will be deducted from your total, or the full amount will be provided in cash.

Step 4: Be Aware of the Expiration Date

The Costco Anywhere Visa certificate is not like the Executive Member 2% Reward (which never expires). The credit card reward certificate has a hard expiration date: December 31st of the year it was issued.

The expiration date will be clearly listed on the document or in the app. Make sure to use it before the end of the year to avoid losing your cash back.

Summary of the Redemption Process

Here are the key points for redeeming your reward certificate:

Issued: Annually, after your February statement closes

Format: Paper or digital certificate (via Citi App)

Where to Use: U.S. Costco warehouses (in-store only)

Options: Cash or merchandise (if purchase is less than certificate value, you get the difference in cash)

Expires: December 31st of the year of issuance

If you haven't yet applied for this rewarding card, you can review a full breakdown of the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi benefits and features and apply through the official Citi website.

Apply for the Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi Today!

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