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August 30. 2015 12:01AM Since You Asked: Costco switch to Visa won't cost loyal member his rewards I've been a Costco member going back to the Discover Card days. Now that Costco is ending its relationship with American Express, will I have to buy a new MasterCard or Visa from Costco?  How will I collect my rewards? — Steve S., Medford  Loyal customer that you've been, Steve, we're sure that Costco wants to keep you coming back. Here's what we learned from Paul Latham, vice president for membership and marketing services for Costco Wholesale, based in Issaquah, Wash. Costco will continue to accept all American Express credit cards, including the Costco/American Express card until sometime after April 1, 2016. At that time, Costco will begin offering a Visa credit card to replace the American Express card. There will be no additional fee for the new Visa card as long as you maintain a valid Costco membership. Rewards earned in 2015 will be paid in the form of a check included in the February billing statement from American Express, just as they always have, Latham said. However, rewards earned in 2016 will be paid under the terms and conditions of your agreement with American Express. That means you may want to hedge your bets, getting the new card from Costco and hanging in with American Express long enough to collect your future awards. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.   http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20150830/NEWS/150839983 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->