Best Credit Card for Costco Gas Station in 2026
Costco Gas Station is classified under MCC 5542 (Automated Fuel Dispensers). The best card for Costco Gas Station purchases is the Ink Business Cash (no annual fee), earning 5x on automated fuel dispensers — an effective return of 10.25%.
Does Costco Gas Station accept Mastercard? Yes — Costco Gas Station accepts Mastercard and Visa at all pumps. American Express and Discover acceptance varies by location.
The MCC 5542 covers automated fuel dispensers, which is crucial for maximizing rewards if you're a frequent gas station user and own cards like the Hilton Honors Surpass.
To maximize your rewards, consider timing your gas purchases with your card's bonus categories or special promotions.
Spending Math
If you spend $200 a month at Costco Gas Station, the Hilton Honors Surpass would earn you $144 annually compared to just $24 from a generic 1% card.
Costco Gas Station purchases are classified under MCC 5542 (Automated Fuel Dispensers).
MCC Details for Costco Gas Station
Best Credit Cards for Costco Gas Station (2026)
How Costco Gas Station Codes on Your Statement
When you pay at Costco Gas Station 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 Station transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Costco Gas Station specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Costco Gas Station 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 Station
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.
What You Could Earn at Costco Gas Station
Spending $200/month at Costco Gas Station 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 Station merchants, earning $120/year with no annual fee.