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As a mom of four, Costco is basically my second home. I love the free samples, the bulk snacks, and never running out of toilet paper. I probably shop at Costco more than the average person, so it surprises people when I say this:
I’ll never sign up for the Costco credit card.
If you’re focused on getting more family travel out of your budget, hear me out—because there are better travel credit card alternatives to the Costco credit card that can actually help you book flights and hotels using points.
If you’re new to points, my Beginner’s Guide to Travel Rewards is a great place to start.
Why the Costco Credit Card Isn’t My Choice (Even Though I’m Obsessed With Costco)
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card gives you cash back on gas, dining, and Costco purchases. Sounds great on paper. But here’s the problem:
It only earns cash back, not flexible travel points.
That means no free flights, no hotel redemptions, no transfer partners, and no travel portal. The money goes into a certificate you use at Costco once a year, and that’s it.
As someone who has built a strategy around taking my family of six on vacation using points, I have to use travel credit card alternatives to the Costco credit card. I just can’t justify giving up all that potential value.
Flexible Points vs. Cash Back: Why It Matters
Here is a very simple example with easy math: Cash back gives you $300 while flexible points can get you a $3,000 vacation.
It’s really that simple.
Flexible points come from credit cards that let you transfer to travel partners like airlines and hotel chains or book directly through their travel portal. That flexibility helps you stretch your rewards way farther.
In real life, here’s what we’ve done with flexible points:
- Hawaii: Booked a $2,400 beachfront hotel stay using points.
- Disney World: Flew our family of six round-trip to Orlando for just $67 in taxes.
- New York City: Stayed two nights in a suite big enough for all of us, completely on points.
You can’t do that with once-a-year Costco cash back.
Travel Credit Card Alternatives (That Still Work at Costco)
Here’s the good news: There are so many travel credit card alternatives to the Costco credit card that you can still use at Costco!
Since Costco accepts any Visa credit card, you have options. The key is to use a Visa that earns flexible points, so every grocery haul is earning you travel rewards.
These are my favorite travel cards that work at Costco. They let you:
- Transfer points to hotel and airline partners
- Redeem points through a travel portal
- Book flights, hotels, and even cruises
Something to keep in mind: Visa cards work at every Costco location and Costco gas in the United States. Costco.com and Costco in Canada do take Mastercard as well.
Want to double dip while shopping? You might also like my post on shopping portals.
Not Sure Where to Start?
If this is all new to you, don’t stress. My beginner’s guide to points and miles breaks it down in simple steps.
You can also explore my favorite beginner credit cards, or take a look at cards I always have in my wallet.
Costco Isn’t the Problem—the Card Is
I’m never giving up my Costco runs. But I am going to make sure every dollar I spend there is working toward our next trip.
With the right flexible points card, those big grocery hauls can help you:
So the next time you’re at Costco with a cart full of everything you didn’t plan to buy (guilty), make sure your card is earning more than just a rebate.
Want to get started? Check out my free beginner guide.
And come say hi on Instagram, join our FB group, or hop on my email list so you never miss a deal.
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