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Side-by-side

American Express Schwab Investor Card vs Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi

Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Schwab Investor Card comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi from Citi at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureAmerican Express Schwab Investor CardCostco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi
Annual fee$0$0
Sign-up bonus10,000 Membership Rewards points
Bonus value (est.)$110-
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in 6 mo-
IssuerAmerican ExpressCiti
Card categorytravelcashback
Best earning category (All_purchases)1.5x1x
Transfer partnersamex-mrNone
Headline benefits
  • 1.5X MR on everything
  • $0 annual fee
  • 1.0c/pt Invest with Rewards
  • Full MR transfer partners
    Read the full review
    American Express Schwab Investor Card
    $0/yr · 10,000 Membership Rewards points
    Read the full review
    Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi
    $0/yr ·

    Editorial take: American Express Schwab Investor Card

    The hidden gem of the Amex MR lineup for Schwab brokerage customers. Flat 1.5X MR with $0 annual fee, full transfer-partner access, AND a 1.0 cents-per-point cash-into-brokerage redemption guarantees you can always extract real cash. The catch: you need a Schwab brokerage account to apply.

    Editorial take: Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Schwab Investor Card or Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi?
    The American Express Schwab Investor Card has a public bonus (10,000 Membership Rewards points, worth roughly $110), while the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi doesn't advertise one right now.
    Is the American Express Schwab Investor Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi?
    The American Express Schwab Investor Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the American Express Schwab Investor Card.
    Can I have both the American Express Schwab Investor Card and Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Citi) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
    Should I get the American Express Schwab Investor Card or the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Schwab Investor Card: $1,000 spend in 6 months. Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi: no published min spend. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

    Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.