Last Updated on December 22, 2025 by Amrita Das
You are standing at the checkout line with a cart full of bulk paper towels, rotisserie chickens, and a five-pound jar of almonds. The cashier asks if you want to pay with your store credit card to earn cash back. It is a tempting offer, but it forces a larger question: If you are going to commit to a warehouse club credit card, which one actually deserves a spot in your wallet?
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi and the Sam’s Club® Mastercard® (issued by Synchrony Bank) are two of the most popular store cards on the market. They both promise high rewards on gas and dining, serving as powerful tools to offset the cost of your annual membership.
However, they function very differently when it comes to travel perks, redemption flexibility, and earning caps.
Choosing the right card often comes down to how you drive, how you travel, and which membership tier you hold. This guide breaks down the math to help you decide which card reigns supreme.
Read More: The Best Credit Cards for Costco Shoppers: Maximize Your Rewards
The Barrier to Entry: Membership Fees
Before analyzing the rewards, it is vital to understand the “hidden” cost of these cards. Technically, neither card carries an annual fee. However, you cannot hold either card without an active warehouse club membership. If you cancel your membership, your credit card account will likely be closed.
Costco Anywhere Visa:
- Requires a Costco membership
- Gold Star: $65/year
- Executive: $130/year
Sam’s Club Mastercard:
- Requires a Sam’s Club membership
- Club: $50/year
- Plus: $110/year
If you are already a loyal shopper at one store, the membership fee is a sunk cost. But if you are willing to switch clubs for better credit card perks, the difference in membership pricing ($50 for Sam’s vs. $65 for Costco) is a factor worth noting.
Battle of the Bulk: Costco Anywhere Visa vs. Sam’s Club Mastercard
Round 1: The Battle for Gas Rewards
For many consumers, the primary reason to get a warehouse card is the fuel savings. Both cards appear on lists of top gas credit cards, but the fine print reveals a distinct winner depending on where you fill up.
Costco Anywhere Visa
Citi offers a tiered approach to gas rewards. You earn 5% cash back on gas purchased at Costco and 4% on other eligible gas and EV charging stations worldwide. This rate applies to the first $7,000 spent per year (combined between Costco and other stations). After that cap, you earn 1%.
The $7,000 cap is generous. To hit it, you would need to spend roughly $134 per week on fuel.
Sam’s Club Mastercard
Sam’s Club takes a slightly different approach. Cardholders earn 5% back on gas anywhere Mastercard is accepted (including Sam’s Club stations). This is capped at $6,000 per year, after which it drops to 1%.
The Verdict:
If you strictly buy gas at Costco, the Costco card wins. However, if you want the freedom to get 5% back at almost any gas station—not just the warehouse pumps—the Sam’s Club Mastercard is superior. It offers the higher 5% rate universally, whereas Costco drops to 4% outside its own stations.
Round 2: Dining and Travel
Warehouse cards are not just for buying bulk groceries; they are designed to be everyday spending cards.
Dining Out
This category is a dead heat. Both cards offer 3% cash back on dining and takeout. Whether you are grabbing fast food or sitting down at a fine dining establishment, the rewards rate is identical.
Travel
Here is where the two cards diverge significantly.
The Costco Anywhere Visa is a robust travel card. It earns 3% cash back on eligible travel purchases worldwide. This includes airfare, hotels, car rentals, travel agencies, cruise lines, and Costco Travel.
Furthermore, the card has no foreign transaction fees, making it an excellent companion for international trips.
The Sam’s Club Mastercard used to offer travel rewards, but that benefit was removed in 2021. Today, you earn a flat 1% on travel. While it also boasts no foreign transaction fees, earning only 1% makes it a poor choice for booking vacations compared to the Costco alternative.
Round 3: In-Store Earnings
Surprisingly, using a warehouse credit card at the actual warehouse is not always the best way to earn rewards. The earning structures here are heavily dependent on your membership tier.
Costco Earning Potential
The Costco Anywhere Visa earns 2% cash back on all Costco and Costco.com purchases.
If you upgrade to the Executive Membership ($130/year), you earn an additional 2% reward from Costco directly (capped at $1,250 annually). This means an Executive member with the Citi card effectively earns 4% total on Costco purchases.
Sam’s Club Earning Potential
The Sam’s Club Mastercard earns 1% on store purchases for standard Club members. This is underwhelming.
However, if you are a Plus member ($110/year), the math changes drastically. Plus members already get 2% back on in-club purchases (up to $500/year). When paying with the Sam’s Club Mastercard, Plus members get an additional 3% back. This totals 5% cash back on Sam’s Club purchases.
The Verdict:
For the absolute highest earning potential in-store, the Sam’s Club Plus combination (5%) beats the Costco Executive combination (4%). However, for entry-level members, Costco’s card (2%) beats Sam’s Club’s card (1%).
Round 4: Redemption Pain Points
How you get your money back is just as important as how much you earn. This is the category where user experience differs the most.
The Costco Method
Costco is famous for its rigid redemption policy. Your cash back rewards accumulate throughout the year and are issued as a single reward certificate in February, once your billing statement closes.
You must redeem this certificate at a U.S. Costco warehouse or use it for purchases. While you can cash it out for physical currency at the customer service desk (for balances over $300, direct deposit may be an option), you cannot simply apply it as a statement credit whenever you want throughout the year.
If you close your card before February, you forfeit all your accrued rewards.
The Sam’s Club Method
Sam’s Club offers a much more modern experience. Rewards are issued as Sam’s Cash, which is automatically loaded onto your membership account monthly.
You do not have to wait a year to use your rewards. You can apply Sam’s Cash to purchases in the club, online, or in the app. You can also cash it out at a register. This flexibility is a significant advantage for budget-conscious shoppers who want immediate returns.
Costco Anywhere Visa vs. Sam’s Club Mastercard: Pros and Cons
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Pros:
- Higher gas spending cap ($7,000)
- Strong 3% rewards on travel (airfare, hotels, etc.)
- Consistent 2% back in-store for all cardholders
Cons:
- Rewards are only distributed once a year (February)
- Gas reward drops to 4% at non-Costco stations
- Requires excellent credit to qualify (typically 720+ FICO)
Sam’s Club® Mastercard®
Pros:
- 5% back on gas at any eligible station (up to $6,000)
- Massive 5% total earning potential for Plus members
- Rewards are issued monthly and are easy to use
- Generally easier to qualify for (requires good credit, 690+ FICO)
Cons:
- Weak 1% rewards on travel
- Poor 1% in-store rewards for basic Club members
- Lower annual cap on gas spending
Read More: Costco Credit Card Benefits For Groceries: Rewards & Risks
Costco Anywhere Visa vs. Sam’s Club Mastercard: Conclusion
The decision largely depends on your existing loyalty and spending habits.
Choose the Costco Anywhere Visa if:
You are a frequent traveler who wants a single card that handles gas, dining, and hotel bookings with solid returns. It is also the better choice if you have a standard “Gold Star” membership, as you will still earn 2% in-store rather than the 1% Sam’s offers its base members.
Choose the Sam’s Club Mastercard if:
You are a Sam’s Club Plus member or you prioritize gas savings above all else. The ability to earn 5% at almost any gas station is a standout feature, and the monthly redemption of Sam’s Cash offers immediate gratification that Costco cannot match.
Both cards offer exceptional value for no annual fee (beyond the membership). By aligning your choice with your travel habits and membership tier, you can ensure you are getting the most out of every bulk purchase.
