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With the cost of groceries and gas prices on the rise, it is natural to assume that more people will look to earn rewards on their purchases.
If you’re brand loyal to a particular store, it makes sense to choose a card that helps you maximize the rewards each time you’re in store.
General Comparison
Compare Rewards: Which Card Gives More?
We’ve looked at a few aspects of the two cards, but putting the actual rewards into context can be a little tricky without a scenario comparison.
Both cards offer high cash back – let's see which of them best suits for your needs. Don't forget to make the relevant adjustments to your spending habits.
|
| |
|---|---|---|
Spend Per Category | Costco Anywhere Visa Card | Capital One Walmart Rewards |
$12,000 – U.S Supermarkets | $240 | $420
|
$5,000 – Restaurants | $150 | $100
|
$4,000 – Hotels | $120 | $80
|
$4,000 – Airline
| $120 | $80
|
$5,000 – Gas | $200 | $100
|
Estimated Annual Value | $830 | $780 |
* Assuming all supermarkets/gas purchases made via Costco/Walmart
** Assuming 50% of supermarkets purchases are online
Compare The Perks
Costco Anywhere Visa Card
- No foreign transaction fees: You can use your Costco Anywhere Visa when you travel without incurring any hefty foreign transaction fees.
- Theft and Damage Purchase Protection: You can enjoy up to 120 days of protection against theft and damage for your new purchases. If your items are damaged, this coverage may provide a refund or repairs.
- Access to Citi Entertainment: The Citi Entertainment platform provides access to once in a lifetime experiences. You can get special ticket purchase access to events including concerts, dining experiences, sporting events and more.
- Purchases Analysis and Tools: The Costco card offers a variety of spending tools and statistics on your purchases and rewards.
Capital One Walmart Rewards
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Like the Costco Anywhere, you can use your Walmart Rewards card abroad without incurring any foreign transaction fees.
- Fraud Coverage: This card has a $0 Fraud Liability feature, where you will not be responsible for any fraudulent purchases if your card is stolen or lost.
Compare The Drawbacks
As with all credit card options, these cards are not perfect. It is important to be aware of the possible drawbacks, so you can make an informed decision about which card is the best option for you.
Costco Anywhere Visa Card
- You’ll need excellent credit
Unlike the Capital One Walmart Rewards card, which is available for those with average to excellent credit, you need excellent credit to qualify for the Costco Anywhere. It's included on our 2024 best credit cards for excellent credit.
- You need to be a Costco Member
You need to already be a Costco member to access this card and its features.
- Restricted redemptions
This card has a rewards redemption process which is a little odd. Instead of receiving your rewards after a billing cycle or two, you’ll need to wait a year. Your rewards are accumulated and included with your February billing statement.
- Costco Rewards are not overly generous
Since this card is designed for Costco members, it is surprising that the rewards are not overly generous. Aside from gas purchases at Costco, you’re looking at 2%.
It is possible to earn higher cash back rates with some other reward cards that allow you to select groceries or wholesale clubs as your primary reward category.
Capital One Walmart Rewards
- In store rewards are limited
While shopping at Walmart.com offers a generous 5% cash back, if you like to browse the aisles, you’ll only earn 2% when you get to the checkout. The only exception to this is during the first year if you link your card to Walmart Pay and use this for your purchases.
- No free shipping perks
While Walmart does offer free shipping on its website, there is minimum spend. So, there is a gap in this card’s benefits that it doesn’t offer free shipping on any order.
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Compare Redemption Options
Costco Anywhere Visa Card
As we touched on above, the Costco Anywhere card has limited redemption options. You cannot redeem your rewards throughout the year. Instead, Citi will accumulate your rewards and you’ll receive a certificate in February.
You can then take this certificate to Costco and use it as credit for purchases or get cash. You have until the end of the year to complete this or your certificate will expire. You also need an active Costco membership to claim your rewards. Some Costco stores may offer electronic transfer of rewards, but this is not guaranteed.
Capital One Walmart Rewards
On the other hand, the Capital One Walmart Rewards card has more standard redemption options. There are no minimum redemption amounts and you can choose from a variety of methods.
You can apply your rewards as statement credit or “erase” some of your purchases, purchase a gift card, book travel or request a check. However, your rewards will never expire providing that your account is open and it is in good standing.
How to Maximize Cards Benefits?
If you want to make the best use of your Costco Anywhere Visa card, there are some tips to help you:
- Max out your gas purchases: Whether you buy gas at Costco or other gas stations, this is the highest reward tier. So, be sure to max out your gas purchases with your card up to the $7,000 per year cap. This averages at approximately $580 per month, so make sure everyone in your household is paying for gas with this card until you reach the maximum.
- Set an alert for redeeming your certificate: You’ll get your rewards certificate with your February statement, so make sure that you set an alert on your phone to redeem it at your local Costco as soon as possible. It is very easy to put the certificate in a drawer and forget about it, but if you don’t cash it in before December 31, you’ll lose your rewards.
- Check Citi Entertainment: Before you buy tickets for any event, be sure to check the Citi Entertainment platform. This platform is available to all Citi credit card customers and you can get access to presales and other perks. You'll get an access similar to other Citi cards.
The Walmart card is one of the best cards Capital One offers, so if you want to make the best use of your Capital One Walmart Rewards, there are some tips to help you:
- Look outside the Walmart grocery section: You’ll earn 5% on all your Walmart.com purchases, so think outside the box. Walmart sells household items, tools, electronics and other items, so make sure that you get maximum rewards on all these purchases.
- Link your card with Walmart Pay: You’ll earn 5% during the first year when you pay with your card and Walmart Pay, so make sure that you link your card asap. This means that you can get maximum rewards even if you just pop in for one or two things after work.
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Customer Reviews: Which Card Wins?
Satisfied customers report satisfaction with the Costco Anywhere rewards, making them a great option for frequent Costco customers and those who tend to spend more on gas.
Negative reviews highlight some issues with card disputes. There are several complaints about unauthorized charges that seem to take hours on the phone to try and sort out.
Walmart card satisfied customers report that this is a good all rounder and easy to use card that can allow you to accumulate rewards without needing to change your spending habits.
Negative reviews highlight issues with low credit limits. Capital One appears to be less than generous when setting the initial limits and even if you make payments on time and use the card you may struggle to get a rate increase.
Bottom Line
With the rising cost of everyday expenses, it makes sense to try to get the highest possible rewards on your purchases. If you frequently shop at Costco or Walmart, having a branded credit card can be a great benefit.
However, aside from the retailer, there are some key differences between these two cards that will influence which is the better option for you.
When You Might Want the Costco Anywhere Visa Card?
The Costco Anywhere Visa card is a good option for those who:
- Gas is your largest expense: If you seem to always be at the gas station filling up your tank, this card could be a great choice for you. You’ll earn 5% on your gas purchases regardless of where you fill up.
- You’re happy to save up your rewards: If you want to accumulate rewards for a big shop or lump cash sum once a year, this card could work for you. You won’t have the option to dip into your rewards for $5 here or $10 there, so you can really feel like you’ve earned a decent amount.
- You want purchase protection: This card offers up to 120 days of purchase protection against theft or damage.
When the Capital One Walmart Rewards Wins?
The Capital One Walmart Rewards for those who:
- You’re a dedicated Walmart shopper: Walmart almost literally sells everything, so this card is a great option for dedicated Walmart shoppers, particularly when you shop online.
- You want the reassurance of fraud protection: There is a $0 fraud liability policy, so you don’t need to worry about unauthorized transactions if your card is lost or stolen.
- You want flexible rewards: You can claim your rewards as a check, statement credit, gift cards or to pay for travel when you book through the Capital One travel portal. There are very few minimums and your rewards will not expire.
Compare The Alternatives
If you're looking for a store credit card with great rewards for online shopping – there are some good alternatives you may want to consider:
|  |
| |
|---|---|---|---|
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi | Best Buy Visa Card | Sam's Club® Mastercard® | |
Annual Fee | $0 ($60 Costco membership fee required)
| $0
| $0 ($50/$110 for Club/Plus membership – MUST)
|
Rewards |
1-4%
4% cash back on on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% cash back on restaurants and most travel purchases, 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com, 1% cash back on all other purchases
|
1-5%
5% back in rewards on shopping at BestBuy, 3% back in rewards on gas purchases, 2% back in rewards on dining, takeout and grocery purchases, 1% back in rewards on everyday purchases
|
1-5%
5% cash back on gas anywhere Mastercard is accepted (on the first $6,000 per year, then 1% after), 3% cash back on Sam’s Club purchases for Plus members, 3% on dining and takeout and 1% on all other purchases
|
Welcome bonus |
None
None
|
None
10% back in rewards on your first day of purchase
|
None
$30 statement credit after making $30 in Sam’s Club purchases within the first 30 days
|
Foreign Transaction Fee | $0
| N/A
| N/A
|
Purchase APR | 20.49% (Variable)
| 15.99% – 31.49% variable
| 20.40% or 28.40% Variable
|
Compare Capital One Walmart Rewards Card
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