Best Credit Card for Fred's in 2026
Fred's is classified under MCC 5331 (Variety Stores). The best card for Fred's purchases is the Shopper Cash Rewards ($95/yr annual fee), earning 6x on variety stores — an effective return of 6.00%.
Variety stores like Fred's are covered under the Shopper Cash Rewards category for credit cards, making them a great place to earn extra points or cash back.
To maximize your rewards, check if Fred's is part of any exclusive reward programs or promotions offered by specific credit cards.
Spending Math
If you spend $200 at Fred's every month with a card that offers 6x rewards on Shopper Cash, you'll earn $144 in a year. A standard 1% card would only net you $24 annually.
Fred's purchases are classified under MCC 5331 (Variety Stores).
MCC Details for Fred's
Best Credit Cards for Fred's (2026)
How Fred's Codes on Your Statement
When you pay at Fred's at their locations, your card issuer sees MCC 5331 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a variety 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 "variety stores" purchases, Fred's transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Fred's specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Fred's 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 5331 qualifies for bonus rewards.
Bonus Category Match — Fred's
About MCC 5331: Variety Stores
Merchant Category Code 5331 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Variety Stores industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 5331, all qualifying card programs that include variety 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 Variety Stores merchants: 99 Cents Only Stores, Big Lots, Building 19.
What You Could Earn at Fred's
Spending $200/month at Fred's with the Shopper Cash Rewards (6x on variety stores) earns approximately $144/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. After the $95 annual fee, that is $49 more per year.