Best Credit Card for Costco Gas in 2026
Costco Gas is classified under MCC 5542 (Automated Fuel Dispensers). The best card for Costco Gas purchases is the Ink Business Cash (no annual fee), earning 5x on automated fuel dispensers — an effective return of 10.25%.
Does Costco Gas accept Mastercard? Yes — Costco Gas accepts Mastercard and Visa at all pumps. American Express and Discover acceptance varies by location.
Costco Gas stations, with MCC code 5542, are a goldmine for rewards enthusiasts since many travel and premium credit cards offer high earning rates here.
To maximize your rewards, always use a credit card that offers bonus rates at Costco Gas stations.
Spending Math
If you spend $200 monthly at Costco Gas, the Hilton Honors Surpass card will earn you $144 annually (6x points), while a standard 1% cash back card would only net you $24 in rewards each year.
Costco Gas purchases are classified under MCC 5542 (Automated Fuel Dispensers).
MCC Details for Costco Gas
Best Credit Cards for Costco Gas (2026)
How Costco Gas Codes on Your Statement
When you pay at Costco Gas at their locations, your card issuer sees MCC 5542 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a automated fuel dispensers merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "automated fuel dispensers" purchases, Costco Gas transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Costco Gas specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Costco Gas 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 5542 qualifies for bonus rewards.
Bonus Category Match — Costco Gas
About MCC 5542: Automated Fuel Dispensers
Merchant Category Code 5542 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Automated Fuel Dispensers industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 5542, all qualifying card programs that include automated fuel dispensers 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 Automated Fuel Dispensers merchants: BJ's Gas, BJ's Gas Station, Costco Gas Station.
What You Could Earn at Costco Gas
Spending $200/month at Costco Gas with the Ink Business Cash (5x on automated fuel dispensers) 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 Costco Gas merchants, earning $120/year with no annual fee.