Plus: the best credit cards to use at El Pollo Loco for maximum rewards in 2026.
By PointsPick Team, Credit Card Research Team · Updated April 2026
El Pollo Loco uses MCC code 5812 (Eating places and Restaurants). The best credit card is the Hilton Honors Aspire, earning 7x rewards on this category.
El Pollo Loco transactions are processed under MCC 5812 (Eating places and Restaurants, category: dining). These cards earn the highest rewards:
| Card | Earning Rate | Annual Fee | Issuer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Honors Aspire | 7x | $550/yr | American Express | Apply Now |
| Hilton Honors Surpass | 6x | $95/yr | American Express | Apply Now |
| Hilton Honors Business | 6x | $175/yr | American Express | Apply Now |
| Hilton Honors | 5x | No annual fee | American Express | Apply Now |
| Custom Cash | 5x | No annual fee | Citi | Apply Now |
Rates and fees as of April 2026. Verify with issuer before applying.
El Pollo Loco uses MCC code 5812, which is classified as "Eating places and Restaurants". This determines which credit card bonus categories apply to purchases at El Pollo Loco.
The best credit card at El Pollo Loco is the Hilton Honors Aspire, which earns 7x points/miles on purchases coded as MCC 5812 (Eating places and Restaurants).
El Pollo Loco uses MCC 5812 (Eating places and Restaurants). This means purchases at El Pollo Loco do NOT qualify for grocery credit card bonuses, which require MCC 5411 (Grocery Stores and Supermarkets).