topic Re: Amex BCE Preferred and co branded gas in Credit Cards

Amex BCE Preferred and co branded gas

Gmoney144 — Thu, 03 May 2018 04:54:37 GMT

I know that Amex Preferred gives 6% on groceries but does it also give 6% on co-branded gasoline such as Costco, Vons, Food for Less, or Ralphs. I’ve seen discussions about cards such as Usaa Amex rewards, Discover, or Chase not giving the popular 5% back if the gas is from a co branded store and I was wondering can Amex differentiate between groceries and gas?

Re: Amex BCE Preferred and co branded gas

Anonymous — Thu, 03 May 2018 05:17:40 GMT

Here is the exact language from Amex:

"You will earn a reward of 6% on the first $6,000 of eligible purchases in a calendar year at supermarkets located in the U.S. (superstores and warehouse clubs are not considered supermarkets); 3% on eligible purchases of gasoline at gas stations located in the U.S. (superstores, supermarkets and warehouse clubs that sell gasoline are not considered gas stations)"

Not only do the mentioned co-branded gasoline not qualify for 6%, they don't even qualify for 3% gas stations.

Re: Amex BCE Preferred and co branded gas

Gmoney144 — Thu, 03 May 2018 06:36:11 GMT

Thanks

Re: Amex BCE Preferred and co branded gas

fltireguy — Thu, 03 May 2018 09:48:14 GMT

One thing that I have noticed with the BCP, is that when you pay for your gas inside at a corporate 7-Eleven location, you will get 6% because it will then code as grocery

Re: Amex BCE Preferred and co branded gas

fltireguy — Thu, 03 May 2018 13:34:57 GMT

The workaround for Vons, and the other normal grocery stores that sell gas is to buy gift cards inside the physical supermarket (they will then code as grocery), and use the gift cards at the pumps... Also would work to buy Shell,Exxon, etc cards in the store as well

Re: Amex BCE Preferred and co branded gas

Adkins — Thu, 03 May 2018 14:01:46 GMT

@Gmoney144 wrote:
I know that Amex Preferred gives 6% on groceries but does it also give 6% on co-branded gasoline such as Costco, Vons, Food for Less, or Ralphs. I’ve seen discussions about cards such as Usaa Amex rewards, Discover, or Chase not giving the popular 5% back if the gas is from a co branded store and I was wondering can Amex differentiate between groceries and gas?

As a previous poster has stated, a work around is buying gift cards and using them for gas. Costco doesn't take Amex at all, not even on their website. (All other cards you can use at Costco online, but it's still Visa only credit cards inside.)

Re: Amex BCE Preferred and co branded gas

Jetboy — Thu, 03 May 2018 23:02:20 GMT

@fltireguy wrote:
One thing that I have noticed with the BCP, is that when you pay for your gas inside at a corporate 7-Eleven location, you will get 6% because it will then code as grocery

Good information but how can you find out where the corporate locations are? I tried searching via google but I failed at it.

Re: Amex BCE Preferred and co branded gas

fltireguy — Thu, 03 May 2018 23:08:26 GMT

One way to tell - sells 7-11 brand fuel

Here in FL they also own a lot of Mobil/7-11 locations as well.. but not all

Re: Amex BCE Preferred and co branded gas

Jetboy — Sat, 05 May 2018 16:40:30 GMT

@fltireguy wrote:
One way to tell - sells 7-11 brand fuel

Here in FL they also own a lot of Mobil/7-11 locations as well.. but not all

I did not get any meaningful search results using search terms - sells 7-11 brand fuel. I even tried using the VISA's MCC look-up tool but it only show the ones that code as MCC 5541 (Service Stations) or MCC 5542 (Automatic Fuel Dispensers).

I guess I will find out by trail and error by using one of my rewards card at 7-11's that post awards quickly (CAP1 Savor or NFCU Go Rewards). When I find a good location or two is that codes as grocery then I will use my BCP there for 6% cash back on fuel purchases and whatever else I may buy there.

I know that they are out there because others have sad the same thing as you. I just need to find them in my home town.

Re: Amex BCE Preferred and co branded gas

Jetboy — Thu, 03 May 2018 23:52:37 GMT

@fltireguy wrote:
One way to tell - sells 7-11 brand fuel

Here in FL they also own a lot of Mobil/7-11 locations as well.. but not all

I just re read your post and now I know what you mean.

If they sell 7-11 brand fuel it is a corporate location. Got it.