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Service Stations ( with or without ancillary services)
Confirmed via network classification
Quick Answer
Hess is classified under MCC 5541 (Service Stations ( with or without ancillary services)). The best card for Hess 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%.
Service stations, like Hess, are crucial for the daily fuel and convenience needs of many people, making them an important category for credit card rewards.
Pro Tip
Maximize your earnings by filling up on credit cards during peak reward periods and taking advantage of gas station bonus offers.
When you pay at Hess 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, Hess transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Hess specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Hess 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.
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 (MCC 5541)
Spending $200/month at Hess 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 Hess merchants, earning $120/year with no annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What MCC code does Hess use?
Hess uses MCC 5541 (Service Stations ( with or without ancillary services)). This code is assigned by card networks and determines which bonus reward categories apply when you pay at Hess.
Which credit card earns the most rewards at Hess?
The Ink Business Cash earns 5x on service stations ( with or without ancillary services) purchases (MCC 5541), making it the highest-earning option at Hess among the cards we track.
Does my card earn bonus rewards at Hess?
It depends on your card's bonus categories. If your card earns bonus rewards on service stations ( with or without ancillary services) purchases, Hess transactions (MCC 5541) will typically qualify. Check your card's terms or app, or call your issuer to confirm.
Is Hess classified as service stations ( with or without ancillary services) for credit card purposes?
Yes. Hess is classified under MCC 5541, which falls in the Service Stations ( with or without ancillary services) category. This means cards with service stations ( with or without ancillary services) bonus categories will apply the elevated earn rate at Hess.
What is MCC 5541 and what merchants use it?
MCC 5541 stands for Service Stations ( with or without ancillary services). It is assigned to businesses that primarily operate in gas stations (pay-at-pump and inside). Besides Hess, other merchants in the same MCC include similar businesses in the retail industry group.
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Full disclosure
MCC data based on card network classification standards.
Rankings verified monthly from official card issuer terms.
Last verified: March 16, 2026.
Full methodology: www.pointspick.com/methodology.
