TrueEarnings Card from Costco and American Express
By Alex Compton · Last verified
The card that ended a 16-year Amex and Costco marriage.
Welcome Bonus
None
Discontinued
Spend Requirement
None
Annual Fee
$0
2.7% FTF
Credit Score
670+
(Good)
Common Questions
Is the TrueEarnings Card from Costco and American Express discontinued?
Yes. Discontinued. The card that ended a 16-year Amex and Costco marriage.
What can I use instead of the TrueEarnings Card from Costco and American Express?
The closest open alternatives we track are the Capital One Savor, Bilt Mastercard, Chase Freedom Unlimited. Each links to our full review with its current offer and complete breakdown.
Open Alternatives
The TrueEarnings is gone, but these cards do a similar job and are still accepting applications.
3% on dining, groceries, entertainment and streaming. No fee.
The only card that earns points on rent with no fee.
1.5x on everything, and a points multiplier when paired with a Sapphire.
Historical Offers Chart
Every public offer change we've tracked. Hover for details, timing your application is worth hundreds of dollars.
Last verified 2026-06-11 · spot an outdated offer? Tell us in the comments.
Earning Rates
- 3xUS gas stations
- 2xRestaurants and eligible travel
- 1xEverything else, including Costco
Credits
No statement credits, this card wins on earn rates, not coupons.
Benefits
- ✦Doubled as the Costco membership card in your wallet
- ✦Annual rebate check redeemable in-warehouse
Why it earns its spot
- +Solid no-fee gas and dining earner for its era
- +Eleven million members made it one of America's biggest cobrands
Where it costs you
- −Only 1 percent inside Costco itself
- −Rewards came once a year as a paper coupon
The Compound Verdict
TrueEarnings was less a rewards card than a piece of Costco infrastructure: membership card, payment card and annual rebate check in one. When Costco put the contract out for bid, Citi and Visa won, and on June 20, 2016 roughly 11 million accounts moved to Citi in one of the largest portfolio transfers ever, becoming the Costco Anywhere Visa. Its death ended Amex's exclusive lock on Costco checkout lanes.
Rate this card
Be the first to rate it
Commentson TrueEarnings
Comments are stored in your browser during our community preview. Accounts, moderation and cross-device sync arrive with Credit Compound Community.