Best Credit Card for Ace Hardware in 2026
Ace Hardware is classified under MCC 5251 (Hardware Stores). The best card for Ace Hardware purchases is the Lowes (no annual fee), earning 5x on hardware stores — an effective return of 7.50%.
Ace Hardware is a great place to earn rewards if you're into home improvement and DIY projects, especially with cards that offer bonus points at hardware stores.
To boost your rewards at Ace Hardware, consider signing up for their credit card, as it often comes with extra perks and higher point earnings.
Spending Math
If you spend $200 per month at Ace Hardware on a card that offers 5x points like the Lowe's card, you'll earn $10 monthly or $120 annually. Compare this to just earning 1% cash back with another card, which only nets you $2 monthly or $24 yearly.
Ace Hardware purchases are classified under MCC 5251 (Hardware Stores).
MCC Details for Ace Hardware
Best Credit Cards for Ace Hardware (2026)
How Ace Hardware Codes on Your Statement
When you pay at Ace Hardware at their locations, your card issuer sees MCC 5251 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a hardware stores merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "hardware stores" purchases, Ace Hardware transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Ace Hardware specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Ace Hardware transaction by checking your card's mobile app or statement. Some issuers display the merchant category alongside the transaction details. For the most accurate information, contact your card issuer's customer service and ask whether MCC 5251 qualifies for bonus rewards.
Bonus Category Match — Ace Hardware
About MCC 5251: Hardware Stores
Merchant Category Code 5251 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Hardware Stores industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 5251, all qualifying card programs that include hardware stores as a bonus category will apply the elevated earn rate.
The Retail industry group encompasses several related MCCs. Not all merchants in a similar business will share the same MCC — for example, a grocery store inside a warehouse club may code as wholesale ({"5300"}) rather than grocery ({"5411"}). Always verify with your issuer if you're unsure whether a specific merchant qualifies for bonus rewards on your card.
Other Hardware Stores merchants: Ace Hardware Store, Do it Best, Do it Best Hardware.
What You Could Earn at Ace Hardware
Spending $200/month at Ace Hardware with the Lowes (5x on hardware stores) earns approximately $120/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. That is $96 more per year with no annual fee.
Prefer no annual fee? The Custom Cash earns 5x at Ace Hardware merchants, earning $120/year with no annual fee.