Alliant Visa Signature Card
vs. Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

Both the Alliant Visa Signature Card and the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offer appealing cash back rewards without annual fees. However, the Costco Anywhere edges ahead with its higher cash back rates, particularly on gas, travel and dining, and an exclusive 2% on Costco purchases, making it especially beneficial for frequent Costco shoppers.

The Alliant Visa Signature remains a strong contender with its broad cash back program, especially for those who may not meet the higher credit score requirement of the Costco card.

You might prefer the Alliant Visa Signature if you're looking for a card that offers a high cash back rate on all purchases and you can meet the Tier One Rewards requirements. With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, it's a solid choice for those who want a simple rewards structure and have good to excellent credit.

You might prefer the Costco Anywhere if you're a frequent Costco shopper and spend a lot on gas, dining and travel. The card's reward structure is tailored to benefit Costco members with higher cash back in these categories. Remember that a Costco membership is required, which comes at an additional cost.

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, introductory offers and other features will show each card's strengths. For example, if you frequently shop at Costco, the Costco Anywhere card's higher cash back on gas and Costco purchases might sway you. Conversely, the Alliant Visa Signature's higher cash back rate on general purchases could be more appealing if you have diverse spending habits. Use this section to align card benefits with your spending patterns and financial goals.

When it comes to rewards, the Alliant Visa Signature is a powerhouse for those who qualify for Tier One Rewards. It offers a robust 2.5% cash back on the first $10,000 of purchases each billing cycle. After that, or if you don't meet Tier One criteria, you'll still earn 1.5% back on all purchases. This makes it an excellent choice for those who prefer a simple, high-rate cash back on all spending without category restrictions.

On the other hand, Costco Anywhere shines with its category-specific rewards, especially for frequent drivers and diners. It offers 4% cash back on gas and EV charging (up to $7,000 annually, then 1%) and 3% on dining and travel. Costco loyalists will also appreciate the 2% cash back on purchases from Costco and Costco.com. While its 1% on other purchases is less impressive, the targeted bonuses make it a strong contender for those with focused spending habits.

Below is a detailed table of bonus categories for both cards to help you determine where you can earn the most rewards.

The Alliant Visa Signature card offers flexibility with no expiration on rewards, allowing for various cash-equivalent redemptions. In contrast, the Costco Anywhere card's rewards are issued annually and must be redeemed by December 31 at Costco locations or for cash back.

MoneyGeek analyzes and assesses credit cards like Alliant Visa Signature and Costco Anywhere based on their performance in various use cases. The highest-scoring category for both cards is cash back. The evaluation process assigns scores reflecting how well each card serves its best use case. The most influential factors in cash back scores are the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers.