Why Don't I Get 4% Cash Back at All Gas Stations with My Costco Visa?
November 14, 2025
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi advertises an attractive 4% cash back rate on "other eligible gas and EV charging purchases worldwide" (on the first $7,000 combined annual spend). However, many cardholders are frustrated to find they only earn the base 1% back at common locations like Circle K, Walmart, or supermarket gas stations.
The reason for this discrepancy comes down to something called the Merchant Category Code (MCC), which is crucial to understanding where you can truly earn that 4% bonus.
Affiliate Disclosure: We are a professional review site that receives compensation from the companies whose products we review and recommend. If you use our affiliate links to apply for a card, we may earn a commission. We are independently owned, and the opinions expressed here are our own.
The Problem with "Convenience Store" Codes
Credit card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) assign a 4-digit Merchant Category Code (MCC) to every business to classify what type of goods or services they primarily sell.Citi's terms and conditions explicitly exclude gas purchased at "superstores, supermarkets and warehouse clubs other than Costco or for fuel used for non-automobile purposes" from the 4% bonus category.
Pro Tip: Some user reports suggest you may be able to earn the 4% cash back if you pay at the pump rather than going inside the convenience store. Paying at the pump often forces the transaction to use the "Automated Fuel Dispenser" code (MCC 5542), which is generally eligible for the higher rate.
The Reality of the 4% Category
Today, roughly 80% of all gas stations in the U.S. have a convenience store on-site. This means the "eligible" 4% category is much narrower than it sounds. User experiences confirm this frustration, with reports of purchases at convenience stores like Circle K coding as car washes or other categories, resulting in only 1% back.
Summary: Where to Earn Max Rewards
To ensure you get the maximum cash back with your Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi:Understanding the complex world of merchant codes helps cardholders navigate these exclusions and manage expectations for their rewards.
For a comprehensive review of all the card's features, benefits, and drawbacks, read our main guide: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi benefits and features.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
- Discover one of Citi's best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
- Earn 5% cash back rewards on gas at Costco and earn 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging purchases for the first $7,000 combined spend per year, and then 1% thereafter.
- 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases and eligible travel, including Costco Travel.
- 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases
- Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico
Found this guide helpful? Bookmark it for future reference as you continue your financial journey!
Experian Boost: A Comprehensive Guide to Boosting Your Free Credit Score
FICO® Credit Scores
FICO® Score Ranges:
- Exceptional: 800–850
- Very Good: 740–799
- Good: 670–739
- Fair: 580–669
- Poor: 300–579
What is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a three-digit number, typically ranging from 300 to 850, that predicts your creditworthiness—how likely you are to repay borrowed money on time. Lenders use this score to assess the risk of lending to you and to determine the interest rates and terms of any credit you might receive.
Why is a Credit Score Important?
A credit score is important because it acts as your financial reputation. Lenders, landlords, insurers, and employers use this single number to quickly judge how reliable you are with money. A higher score helps you qualify for loans and credit cards, often securing lower interest rates that can save you significant money. Conversely, a poor credit score can lead to application denials or much higher costs for borrowing, making it a key factor in your overall financial opportunities.
FICO® Credit Score Facts
- Three-Digit Number: Like other credit scores, FICO® Scores are a three-digit number that summarizes a consumer's credit risk.
- Range: Most standard FICO® Scores range from 300 to 850. Higher scores indicate lower credit risk.
- Data Source: FICO® Scores are calculated using data from your credit reports maintained by the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Your score may vary slightly depending on which bureau's data is used.
- Industry Standard: Lenders rely on FICO® Scores for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards because they provide a consistent, statistically sound assessment of the likelihood that a borrower will repay their debt.
Note: Credit scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any credit card product.
Security Notice: All Applications utilize Secure SSL Technology for secure transmissions.
*See the online credit card applications for details about terms and conditions of credit card offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. When you click on the " Apply Now " button you can review the credit card terms and conditions on the credit card issuer's web site.
Advertiser Disclosure: The card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Gettingacreditcard.com may receive compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Gettingacreditcard.com does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace.
© 2006-2025 GettingACreditCard.com, All Rights Reserved.