Plus: the best credit cards to use at Costco for maximum rewards in 2026.
By PointsPick Team, Credit Card Research Team · Updated April 2026
Costco uses MCC code 5300 (Wholesale Clubs). The best credit card is the Shopper Cash Rewards, earning 6x rewards on this category.
Costco transactions are processed under MCC 5300 (Wholesale Clubs, category: retail). These cards earn the highest rewards:
| Card | Earning Rate | Annual Fee | Issuer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopper Cash Rewards | 6x | $95/yr | U.S. Bank | Apply Now |
| AAA Daily Advantage | 3x | No annual fee | Comenity | Apply Now |
Rates and fees as of April 2026. Verify with issuer before applying.
Many shoppers assume grocery credit cards earn bonus rewards at stores like Costco, but this is not the case. Costco processes transactions under MCC 5300 (Wholesale Clubs), not the grocery MCC code 5411.
Cards that advertise "grocery bonuses" typically earn them only at traditional supermarkets coded MCC 5411. Always check the MCC code before assuming bonus rates apply.
Costco uses MCC code 5300, which is classified as "Wholesale Clubs". This determines which credit card bonus categories apply to purchases at Costco.
The best credit card at Costco is the Shopper Cash Rewards, which earns 6x points/miles on purchases coded as MCC 5300 (Wholesale Clubs).
Costco uses MCC 5300 (Wholesale Clubs). This means purchases at Costco do NOT qualify for grocery credit card bonuses, which require MCC 5411 (Grocery Stores and Supermarkets).