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Million Mile Secrets reader, Eugene, commented:
Do Costco gas stations qualify for the current Chase Freedom 5X quarterly bonus category?
Chase Freedom’s quarterly bonus categories are a terrific way to earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. That’s one of the reasons I keep the Freedom card in my wallet!
So it’s important to know which merchants earn the 5X bonus. Because Chase does NOT consider all places with fuel services as “gas stations”.
Although Chase excludes warehouse stores, many Million Mile Secrets readers have let me know that gas purchases at Costco and Sam’s Club might work for the 5X bonus!
I’ll share which gas stations will and will NOT get you 5X rewards with the Chase Freedom!
We don’t earn a commission on this card, but we’ll always share the best offers with our readers!
Chase Freedom 5X Gas Stations
Link: Chase Freedom
Link: Activate Chase Freedom Bonus Categories
Link: Eligible Freedom Bonus Gas Station Merchants
Through March 30, 2017, gas stations are included in Chase Freedom’s 5X quarterly bonus categories.
With the Chase Freedom, you can earn up to 7,500 Chase Ultimate Rewards points ($75 cash back) by spending the maximum $1,500 per quarter in the eligible bonus categories.
But remember, you must activate the bonus by March 14, 2017.
And when you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, Ink Bold (no longer available), or the Ink Plus (no longer available), you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to airline and hotel partners like United Airlines and Hyatt for Big Travel!
1. Check Which Stores Are Eligible
Link: Visa Supplier Locator Website
While gas stations might seem like a simple category, Chase has several exclusions.
Even with these exclusions, it’s possible certain merchants will still code as a gas station. I recommend checking the Visa supplier locator website to see which merchants are categorized as gas stations.
While it’s not guaranteed, it’s probable that merchants Visa categorizes as gas stations will earn you 5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points with the Chase Freedom.
For example, I searched 7-Eleven stores in the Austin area. Even locations that don’t sell fuel appear to code as a gas station.
A similar search for Costco shows that the store does not code as a gas station. But several Million Million Secrets readers have let me know gas purchases at Costco will get you the 5X bonus!
2. Check If Your Gas Station Earns 5X
To be safe, I recommend sticking to the list of eligible gas stations put together by Chase. Or you can always try using your Freedom at your go-to gas station. Then, check your Chase account to see if it the transaction earned a 5X bonus!
Remember, you can also easily track your total quarterly spending in the Chase Freedom 5X bonus categories. So you can see how close you are to spending the $1,500 maximum per quarter!
Bottom Line
Gas stations are included as part of the quarterly bonus categories for the Chase Freedom through March 30, 2017.
You can earn 5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points (5% cash back) on $1,500 in combined purchases when you activate the bonus.
But Chase excludes several merchants from the gas station category, including truck stops and grocery stores.
Check if your go-to fuel stop codes as a gas station on the Visa supplier locator website. Or you can fill-up at one of the eligible gas stations listed on the Chase website.
Emily and I don’t earn a commission if you apply for this card, but we’ll always let you know about the best offers!
Thanks for the question, Eugene!
“But Chase excludes several merchants from the gas station category, including truck stops and grocery stores.” I was wondering about Love’s and Pilot since they have some of the lowest prices on the road but also serve trucks. I checked my statements from the last time Chase had 5% for gas and gas bought there was given the bonus.
Got 190 points for a $38 gas purchase @ Costco in Nanuet, NY this week.
Gas pump at Sam’s Club in Seattle has the only the words “Sam’s Club” on top of receipt so it looks like YMMV.
This is incorrect. Chase Freedom does code Costco Gas as gas station category and you can earn 5x points by using Chase Freedom card.
Gerry is correct. I filled up at Costco on Wednesday and did indeed receive 5x points.
Thanks for sharing the data point! The post has been updated based on reader experiences.