Best Credit Card for ARCO in 2026
ARCO is classified under MCC 5541 (Service Stations ( with or without ancillary services)). The best card for ARCO purchases is the Ink Business Cash (no annual fee), earning 5x on service stations ( with or without ancillary services) — an effective return of 10.25%.
Does ARCO accept Mastercard? Yes — ARCO accepts Mastercard and Visa at all pumps. American Express and Discover acceptance varies by location.
Service stations like ARCO are crucial for everyday fuel purchases, and they're covered under travel rewards cards like the Hilton Honors Surpass.
To maximize rewards, use your travel rewards card for all gas purchases and set up automatic payments from your bank account to avoid any fees.
Spending Math
If you spend $200 a month at ARCO, the Hilton Honors Surpass card would earn you $144 annually compared to just $24 on a standard 1% cashback card.
ARCO purchases are classified under MCC 5541 (Service Stations ( with or without ancillary services)).
MCC Details for ARCO
Best Credit Cards for ARCO (2026)
How ARCO Codes on Your Statement
When you pay at ARCO at their locations, your card issuer sees MCC 5541 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a service stations ( with or without ancillary services) merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "service stations ( with or without ancillary services)" purchases, ARCO transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not ARCO specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any ARCO 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 5541 qualifies for bonus rewards.
Bonus Category Match — ARCO
About MCC 5541: Service Stations ( with or without ancillary services)
Merchant Category Code 5541 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Service Stations ( with or without ancillary services) industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 5541, all qualifying card programs that include service stations ( with or without ancillary services) 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 Service Stations ( with or without ancillary services) merchants: 7-Eleven, 7-Eleven - Albuquerque, 7-Eleven - Anaheim.
What You Could Earn at ARCO
Spending $200/month at ARCO with the Ink Business Cash (5x on service stations ( with or without ancillary services)) 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 ARCO merchants, earning $120/year with no annual fee.