Best Credit Card for REI Co-op in 2026
REI Co-op is classified under MCC 5311 (Department Stores). The best card for REI Co-op purchases is the Shopper Cash Rewards ($95/yr annual fee), earning 3x on department stores — an effective return of 3.00%.
REI Co-op is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts and the Shopper Cash Rewards cards really shine here, offering up to 3x points on department store spending.
Maximize your REI Co-op rewards by using their credit card, which often has special perks and bonus points for purchases made at REI.
REI Co-op purchases are classified under MCC 5311 (Department Stores).
MCC Details for REI Co-op
Best Credit Cards for REI Co-op (2026)
How REI Co-op Codes on Your Statement
When you pay at REI Co-op at their locations, your card issuer sees MCC 5311 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a department 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 "department stores" purchases, REI Co-op transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not REI Co-op specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any REI Co-op 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 5311 qualifies for bonus rewards.
Bonus Category Match — REI Co-op
About MCC 5311: Department Stores
Merchant Category Code 5311 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Department Stores industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 5311, all qualifying card programs that include department 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 Department Stores merchants: Bealls, Belk, Bloomingdale's.
What You Could Earn at REI Co-op
Spending $200/month at REI Co-op with the Shopper Cash Rewards (3x on department stores) earns approximately $72/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. After the $95 annual fee, that is $-23 more per year.