CIBC Is the New Costco Mastercard Partner: What Does This Mean for You?

Here are the facts on CIBC’s new Costco Mastercard — and what we hope to see…

Credit card, online shopping, retail

Image source: Getty Images

The cat is out of the bag: starting in 2022, CIBC will replace Capital One as Costco’s new credit card partner.

Though few details around the partnership have been released, we know CIBC acquired Capital One’s Canadian portfolio, taking on over $3 billion in outstanding credit card balances.

It’s an exciting partnership, especially as it could lead to CIBC improving the Costco Mastercard, which, trust me, could use some heavy renovations. Let’s break down what we know and what we’re hoping to see in 2022.

What do we know?

As of right now, CIBC and Costco have released little information about the new credit card. We do, however, know a few things.

Like the Capital One Costco hybrid, we know the CIBC card will function as your Costco membership card. We also know the CIBC will be a Mastercard and that it will earn rewards on everyday purchases.

We also know that your current Costco Mastercard will still work until January 2022. More importantly, any rewards that you earn on this card will be sent to you as a cash coupon early next year.

What can we expect?

Aside from these facts, Costco also hinted at some possible changes. Pierre Riel, Costco Canada’s SVP Country Manager, wrote in a press release that the new credit card will give members “more ways to get the most out of their membership.” He cited “leading digital capabilities,” “robust features,” and “stronger rewards.”

I don’t know about you, but my ears perked up at “stronger rewards.” Perhaps my biggest criticism of the Capital One Costco credit card is its rather unexciting rewards program. While, sure, you could earn 3% cashback on restaurant purchases and 2% on gas, the base rate was .5% (after you spend $3,000, it bumps up to 1%). On top of that, the Capital One Costco Mastercard doesn’t earn extra cashback for purchases at Costco (a huge miss in my opinion) and there’s no welcome bonus for new cardholders.

My hope is that Costco will vamp up its rewards program with higher earn rates for Costco purchases, a hefty welcome bonus, and deals and promotions sent exclusively to CIBC Costco Mastercard holders.

Perks that (hopefully) carry over

Though, sure, the rewards program on the Capital One Costco Mastercard is a little flat, it does have some features that (fingers crossed) won’t disappear under the new partnership.

First off, I’d like to see the slew of insurance carry over. Right now, your Capital One Costco Mastercard has a fairly comprehensive package of travel insurance, including travel accidents, baggage delays, rental car damage, and 24/7 travel assistance. It also has a hefty amount of shopping insurance, too, including price protection, extended warranty, and purchase protection. In addition to these features, I’d like to see the CIBC Costco Mastercard offer mobile phone insurance (replacement for your phone if it’s damaged, lost, or stolen), as that’s a key feature on many of Canada’s top credit cards.

I also hope the new card will have no annual fee (like the Capital One Costco card) and that your cashback earnings have no cap. On the flip side, I’d be willing to pay an annual fee if the new CIBC Costco Mastercard has higher earning potential and possibly a rebate on my Costco membership.

The Costco curse: Will this last?

Perhaps the biggest question on my mind is — will we see another breakup in the years to come? Just to recap, we’ve already seen two partnerships end in the last decade In 2014, Costco terminated a 15-year partnership with American Express, electing to partner with Capital One instead. Last year, after Capital One’s card sales in Canada were declining, the two companies respectfully ended the relationship. And now we have CIBC.

I think there’s hope. Either way, I don’t doubt that the CIBC Costco Mastercard will be an improvement on the Capital One card, sealing its rank among Canada’s top credit cards.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

More on Investing

A cannabis plant grows.
Cannabis Stocks

Canopy Growth Stock Is Rising But I’m Worried About This One Thing

Canopy Growth stock is soaring as the legalization effort makes real progress in both Germany and the United States.

Read more »

young woman celebrating a victory while working with mobile phone in the office
Investing

3 Roaring Stocks to Hold for the Next 20 Years

These top TSX stocks are excellent long-term buys, given their multi-year growth potential and solid underlying businesses.

Read more »

Two seniors float in a pool.
Dividend Stocks

TFSA: How to Earn $1,890 in Annual Tax-Free Income

Plunk these investments into your TFSA to earn passive income and avoid the taxman.

Read more »

grow dividends
Investing

Here’s My Top 3 TSX Stocks to Buy Right Now

Even though the TSX has been rising, there are still some good bargains out there. Here are three top compounding…

Read more »

Target. Stand out from the crowd
Investing

Prediction: This Canadian Growth Stock Could Double by 2030

Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX:ATD) is a top growth stock that could do well over the next six or so years.

Read more »

Businessman holding AI cloud
Tech Stocks

Could Investing $20,000 in Nvidia Make You a Millionaire?

Nvidia stock has made investors millionaires in the last 10 years. Is it too late to invest to become a…

Read more »

Engineers walk through a facility.
Dividend Stocks

1 TSX Stock I Wouldn’t Touch With a 10-Foot Pole

AtkinsRéalis (TSX:ATRL) is one TSX stock I'd never invest in.

Read more »

money cash dividends
Stocks for Beginners

Have $500? 3 Absurdly Cheap Stocks Long-Term Investors Should Buy Right Now

If you're looking for cheap stocks, these three have a huge future ahead of them, all while costing far less…

Read more »