On This Page:
- Which Card Is Best?
- Head-to-Head Comparison
- Rewards
- Methodology
- FAQ
- Which Card Is Best?
- Head-to-Head Comparison
- Rewards
- Methodology
- FAQ
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Both the Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards World Mastercard® and the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi cater to savvy spenders looking for cash back without the burden of annual fees. The Navy Federal cashRewards World edges ahead with its higher cash back rate and accessibility to a broader range of credit scores.
However, the Costco Anywhere card is a strong contender for Costco members, offering high rewards on gas, travel and dining.
While the Navy Federal cashRewards World card may be the overall winner, Costco loyalists may still find Costco Anywhere's tailored rewards more beneficial.
Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards World Mastercard®
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Regular APR
14.90%–18.00% variable
20.49% variable
0% APR Offer
-
-
Intro Offer
Earn $300 cash back
No current offer
Rewards Summary
Earn 1.5% to 1.75% cash back
Earn 1–4% cash back
Balance Transfer Offer
-
-
Balance Transfer Fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Annual Fee
-
$0
Recommended Credit
(580 – 740) Fair to Good
740-850 (Excellent)
Penalty APR
18.00%
Up to 29.99%
Not sure?
Which Card Is Better for You?
You might prefer the Navy Federal cashRewards World if you're looking for a card with a high overall cash back rate and a lower APR range. With up to 1.75% cash back on all purchases and no annual fee, it's a solid choice for everyday spending and for those who already bank with Navy Federal.
You might prefer Costco Anywhere if you're a frequent Costco shopper. The card offers high cash back on gas, travel, dining and Costco purchases. While it requires a Costco membership, the benefits can outweigh the costs if you regularly shop at Costco.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features
Evaluating the Navy Federal cashRewards World and Costco Anywhere cards across APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and other features will clarify which aligns with your financial habits. For instance, if you frequently shop at Costco, the Costco Anywhere card's higher cash back rates on gas and Costco purchases might be advantageous. For those seeking a straightforward cash back card, the Navy Federal cashRewards World card's lower APR range and absence of various fees could be more beneficial.
Regular APR: Navy Federal cashRewards World
The Navy Federal cashRewards World card offers a better regular APR range of 14.90% to 18.00% variable than the Costco Anywhere's 20.49% variable APR. This makes the Navy Federal cashRewards World card more favorable for those who may carry a balance.
Annual Fee: Navy Federal cashRewards World
The Navy Federal cashRewards World stands out for its lack of an annual fee without any required membership. In contrast, the Costco Anywhere card, which requires a Costco membership costing $60 per year.
Introductory 0% APRs: Tie
Neither the Navy Federal cashRewards World nor the Costco Anywhere offers introductory 0% APR on purchases or balance transfers. For those wanting to avoid extra costs, consider exploring other cards with 0% introductory APR offers.
Rewards: Costco Anywhere
The Costco Anywhere is better for rewards, offering up to 4% cash back on gas and EV charging, 3% on dining and travel and 2% on Costco purchases. Rewards are redeemable at U.S. Costco warehouses. The Navy Federal cashRewards World offers a flat rate of up to 1.75% cash back on all purchases, appealing for straightforward earning.
Welcome Offers: Navy Federal cashRewards World
The Navy Federal cashRewards World is better for welcome offers, offering $300 cash back when you spend $3,000 within the first 90 days. The Costco Anywhere currently doesn't have a welcome offer.
Recommended Credit Score: Navy Federal cashRewards World
The Navy Federal cashRewards World is more accessible to a broader range of credit scores, requiring a range of 580 to 740 (fair to good). Costco Anywhere requires excellent credit.
Penalties and Fees: Navy Federal cashRewards World
When it comes to penalties and fees, the Navy Federal cashRewards World offers more favorable terms, including a lower late fee of up to $20, a lower penalty APR of 18.00% and more advantageous cash advance fees. Both cards do not charge foreign transaction fees.
Issuer Satisfaction: Navy Federal cashRewards World
In terms of issuer satisfaction, the Navy Federal cashRewards outperforms with a rating of 4.7 for Navy Federal Credit Union. Citibank, which issues the Costco Anywhere card, has a rating of 4.1.
Other Features & Perks: Tie
Both cards offer unique perks that cater to different needs. The Costco Anywhere provides damage and theft purchase protection and access to Citi Entertainment®. The Navy Federal cashRewards World offers broad financial benefits like a collision damage waiver, zero liability policy and free credit score access, making it hard to declare a clear winner based on perks alone.
Rewards Comparison
The Navy Federal cashRewards World card offers a solid 1.75% cash back on all purchases for those with direct deposit and 1.5% for those without. This straightforward, higher-than-average cash back rate makes it an attractive option for those seeking simplicity and consistent rewards across all spending categories.
On the other hand, the Costco Anywhere card has category-specific rewards, particularly for those who spend heavily on gas, dining and travel. The 4% cash back on gas and EV charging (up to $7,000 annually) and 3% on dining and travel can add up quickly for frequent travelers and commuters. Additionally, shopping at Costco with the card nets you 2% cash back, enhancing the value for Costco members.
While the Navy Federal cashRewards World card may offer a better overall cash back rate, the Costco Anywhere card's bonus categories are compelling for those who frequent Costco or spend significantly in its highest-earning categories. The table below details bonus categories to help you compare the rewards programs of both cards at a glance.
Category | Navy Federal cashRewards World | Costco Anywhere |
|---|---|---|
Gas | 1.75%/1.5% | 4% for the first $7,000 annually, then 1% |
Restaurants | 1.75%/1.5% | 3% |
Travel | 1.75%/1.5% | 3% |
Costco Purchases | 1.75%/1.5% | 2% |
All Other Purchases | 1.75%/1.5% | 1% |
Redeeming Rewards
The Navy Federal cashRewards World card offers immediate gratification. It allows you to redeem cash back anytime without worrying about an expiration date.
The Costco Anywhere card issues rewards annually as a certificate after your February statement, which you can use for cash or merchandise at Costco warehouses until December 31 of the same year.
Methodology
MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards based on their performance in various use cases, such as cash back and balance transfers. The highest scoring use case for the Navy Federal cashRewards World and Costco Anywhere cards is cash back.
The evaluation considers factors like the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. These elements, along with annual fees, introductory purchase rates and issuer satisfaction, play a significant role in the overall score. For a deeper understanding of our scoring process, you can review our ranking methodology.
FAQ: Navy Federal cashRewards World vs. Costco Anywhere
What are the rewards rates for each card?
The Costco Anywhere offers up to 4% on gas, while the Navy Federal cashRewards World provides up to 1.75% cash back on all purchases.
Are there any annual fees for these cards?
Both cards have no annual fee, but the Costco Anywhere requires a Costco membership.
What credit score is needed for each card?
The Costco Anywhere requires a credit score range of 740 to 850 (excellent), while the Navy Federal cashRewards World requires 580 to 740 (fair to good).
Do either of these cards offer a welcome bonus?
The Navy Federal cashRewards World offers a $300 bonus, while the Costco Anywhere Visa does not have a current offer.
How do the APRs compare between these two cards?
The Navy Federal cashRewards World card offers a lowervariable APRrange of 14.90% to 18.00% compared to Costco Anywhere's 20.49% variable.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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