The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi and the Apple Card stand out as distinctive choices, each catering to unique consumer needs. Let's compare them side by side.
Costco vs Apple Card: General Comparison
The Apple Card, a partnership between Apple and Goldman Sachs, is known for its seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem, offering solid cashback rewards, particularly on Apple-related purchases and services.
On the other hand, the Costco Anywhere Visa is tailored for practical spenders, offering generous cashback on essential expenses like gas, dining, and Costco purchases. It’s an ideal choice for Costco members looking to earn rewards on everyday spending.
Cashback Analysis: Which Card Gives More?
In our analysis, we assumed all purchases were made using Apple Pay with the Apple Card. For the average consumer, the Costco card tends to be more rewarding. The gap between the two cards widens the more you spend on travel and dining.
Keep in mind, Costco cashback is issued as an annual reward certificate, available after your February billing statement. This certificate can be redeemed for cash or merchandise at Costco warehouses across the U.S.
|
| |
|---|---|---|
Spend Per Category | Costco Anywhere Visa Card | Apple Credit Card |
$15,000 – U.S Supermarkets | $300 | $300 |
$5,000 – Restaurants | $150 | $100 |
$4,000 – Apple Products | $40 | $120 |
$4,000 – Travel
| $120 | $80 |
$4,000 – Gas | $160 | $40 |
Estimated Annual Cashback | $760 | $640 |
* Assuming all supermarkets/gas purchases made via Costco
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Costco vs Apple Card Additional Benefits: Comparison
When it comes to extra benefits, each card has its own unique benefits. The Costco card offers a variety of travel protections, including roadside and travel assistance protection.
The main benefits of Apple are no fees and access to Apple's savings account.
Costco Anywhere Visa Card
- Damage & Theft Purchase Protection: Costco's Citi card offers coverage for damaged or stolen purchases, providing potential repairs or refunds within 120 days of acquisition, offering peace of mind for cardholders.
- Purchases Analysis and Tools: The Costco card offers a variety of spending tools and statistics on your purchases and rewards.
- Travel & Emergency Assistance: Costco cardholders benefit from 24/7 services, ensuring assistance with emergency travel arrangements, travel issues, medical and legal referrals, and more, enhancing their travel experience.
- Roadside Assistance Dispatch Service: With coverage across the U.S. and territories, Costco's Citi card provides a Roadside Assistance Dispatch Service, ensuring prompt help for cardholders facing car troubles during their journeys.
- Citi Entertainment℠: Elevating experiences, Citi Entertainment provides exclusive access to presale tickets and special events, enhancing the entertainment options available to Costco cardholders.
- $0 Liability on Unauthorized Charges: Costco's consumer card ensures complete protection against unauthorized charges, relieving cardholders of responsibility for any unauthorized online or other charges.
Apple Credit Card
- No Fees: One of the standout benefits of the Apple Card is its fee structure. There are no annual fees, penalty fees, transaction fees, or any other hidden charges associated with the card. This transparency makes it an attractive option for those looking to avoid unnecessary costs while enjoying the benefits of a credit card.
- Access to Apple Savings Account: cardholders can open an Apple savings account and direct Daily Cash to a Savings account.
Security: The Apple Card offers cutting-edge security features, including a unique card number for each purchase, biometric authentication (Face ID or Touch ID), and transaction alerts.
Great Wallet App: The Apple Card provides robust tools for managing your debt and spending. The Wallet app offers a clear overview of your transactions, organizes them by category, and provides insights into your spending habits. It also offers payment suggestions to help you pay off your balance faster and more efficiently.
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When You Might Prefer The Apple Credit Card?
You might prefer the Apple card in the following situations:
- High Spend On Apple Products: If you frequently purchase Apple products, such as iPhones, iPads, Macs, or accessories, you may prefer the Apple Card to maximize cashback in these specific categories.
- Daily Cash Rewards: If you appreciate a more frequent rewards system, the Apple Card's Daily Cash feature provides cashback on a daily basis, unlike the uncomfortable Costco Credit Card's annual certificate.
- You Primarily Use Apple Pay For Your Purchases: The Apple Card is tightly integrated with Apple Pay, making it easy to use and earn cash back on your everyday purchases. You can even use your Apple Card for online purchases made through Apple Pay.
When You Might Prefer The Costco Credit Card?
Opting for the Costco Credit Card over the Apple Card might be preferable in certain scenarios:
- Frequent Costco Shoppers: If you are a regular Costco shopper, the Costco Credit Card offers substantial cashback rewards on Costco purchases. This includes purchases made in-store, online, and at Costco gas stations.
- You Have A Costco Membership: In order to get the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, you need to have a Costco membership. If you're already a Costco member, this is a great way to get even more value out of your membership.
- You Spend On Gas And Restaurants: The Costco Credit Card also caters to gas and restaurantsspenders. If your spending aligns more with these, it might be a better fit.
Compare The Alternatives
If you're looking for a credit card with everyday purchase rewards – there are some good alternatives you may want to consider:
 |
|
| |
|---|---|---|---|
Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card | Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card | Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | |
Annual Fee | $0
| $0 ($139 Amazon Prime subscription required)
| $95 ($0 intro for the first year) |
Rewards |
1-5%
|
1-5%
5% back on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and Chase Travel purchases. Plus, you’ll get 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit, and 1% on all other purchases
|
1-6%
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit
and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
|
Welcome bonus |
$200
|
$200
Get a $200 Amazon Gift Card
|
$250
$250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
|
Foreign Transaction Fee | 3%
| $0
| 2.70%
|
Purchase APR | 19.99% – 28.74% variable
| 19.99% – 28.74% Variable
| 18.49% – 29.49% Variable |
Compare Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi
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BJ's One+ Mastercard vs Costco Anywhere Visa Card: How They Compare?
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Target Red Card vs. Costco Anywhere Visa Card: How They Compare?
Compare Apple Card
If you're a geek of both Amazon and Apple and not sure which card is better for your needs, we think we can help – there is a clear winner.
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The Apple Card offers competitive cashback rewards on Apple purchases and services – but if you travel frequently, the Unlimited card wins.
The Apple Card offers high cashback on Apple products, while the Best Buy card wins when it comes to gas and BestBuy purchases. Let's compare.
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