Dec 15, 2016, 5:44 am
Last edit by: mia
What types of purchases qualify for the Local Commuter Transportation category?
(Source: Chase Freedom FAQ)
Merchants in the Local Commuter Transportation category include regional operators of local commuter passenger trains, subways, metro, buses, taxis, and ferries. Please note that some merchants that provide transportation and related services are not included in this category; for example, national and international trains (such as Amtrak), airport shuttles/limousines, parking lots/garages, tolls/bridges, airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, vacation clubs, tour operators, and some municipal/government owned entities.
Freedom 2017 5X calendar published.
Dec 28, 2016, 2:41 pm
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,934
Yes, Visa requires pay-at-the-pump transactions to use MCC 5542, "automated fuel dispenser" regardless of what sort of business owns the pump. You'll get your 5% at the pump whether it's a 'regular' gas station, a truck stop, a fleet fuel station with a cardlock, or a Costco. I'm sure it's possible, but I've never seen one set up wrong.
If you pay inside, a regular gas station should use 5541 "service stations" and you'll also get your 5%, but I've run into a couple when using my B of A 3% card that are coded as fast food restaurants, convenience stores or repair shops. Unsurprisingly lots of these are non-chain stations that also have a Subway or a repair shop attached.
It should include snacks and beer bought in the gas station unless their terminal is set up wrong, see above.
Car washes have their own MCC (7542), but a car wash that sells gas is a gas station by Visa's rules and should be coded as a gas station.
If you pay inside, a regular gas station should use 5541 "service stations" and you'll also get your 5%, but I've run into a couple when using my B of A 3% card that are coded as fast food restaurants, convenience stores or repair shops. Unsurprisingly lots of these are non-chain stations that also have a Subway or a repair shop attached.
It should include snacks and beer bought in the gas station unless their terminal is set up wrong, see above.
Car washes have their own MCC (7542), but a car wash that sells gas is a gas station by Visa's rules and should be coded as a gas station.
I've seen claims (in the EMV thread) of other Visa rules (such as that all kiosks should be able to accept EMV cards without a PIN), followed by data points of places in Europe where kiosks very much required a PIN.
Dec 28, 2016, 6:01 pm
#47
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEL
Posts: 1,057
But are Visa's rules on this really enforced, or just guidelines / suggestions?
I've seen claims (in the EMV thread) of other Visa rules (such as that all kiosks should be able to accept EMV cards without a PIN), followed by data points of places in Europe where kiosks very much required a PIN.
I've seen claims (in the EMV thread) of other Visa rules (such as that all kiosks should be able to accept EMV cards without a PIN), followed by data points of places in Europe where kiosks very much required a PIN.
That said, there's little to no benefit to a merchant whose MCC is wrong, and it's not the merchant who picks it--the processor decides. In the specific case of pay-at-the-pump, the installer or processor would have to intentionally screw up the installation to get it wrong--with no possible benefit to anyone.
Dec 28, 2016, 9:19 pm
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,795
Yes, Visa requires pay-at-the-pump transactions to use MCC 5542, "automated fuel dispenser" regardless of what sort of business owns the pump. You'll get your 5% at the pump whether it's a 'regular' gas station, a truck stop, a fleet fuel station with a cardlock, or a Costco. I'm sure it's possible, but I've never seen one set up wrong.
Dec 29, 2016, 12:52 pm
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,934
Dec 29, 2016, 5:59 pm
#52
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 165
The color thing is equivalent to Fizzbin rules.
Both are just a cute way of saying "it's pretty much unpredictable" whether it'll earn 5x or not.
Both are just a cute way of saying "it's pretty much unpredictable" whether it'll earn 5x or not.
Dec 29, 2016, 7:46 pm
#53
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 15
Does anyone know if both the transaction date and post date have to be in the quarter to qualify for the bonus or just the post date? So if I buy gas on the 30th of this month but it won't post until a couple days later (in the next quarter) would it count towards next quarters bonus?
Dec 29, 2016, 8:17 pm
#55
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: FL
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, IC Plat Amb, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,299
Q1: Gas stations and local commuter transportation
Not useful, I dont use local commuter and I buy gas gift card at 20% discount.
Q2: Grocery Stores (not including Walmart and Target) and Drug Stores
Not useful either. I buy sometimes supermarket gift cards at 20% discount and the rest use 6% amex blue cash
Maybe good for MS a bit.
Q3: Summer fun and more
Lets hope it is travel or something like that
Q4: Holiday and more
Amazon please
Not useful, I dont use local commuter and I buy gas gift card at 20% discount.
Q2: Grocery Stores (not including Walmart and Target) and Drug Stores
Not useful either. I buy sometimes supermarket gift cards at 20% discount and the rest use 6% amex blue cash
Maybe good for MS a bit.
Q3: Summer fun and more
Lets hope it is travel or something like that
Q4: Holiday and more
Amazon please
Dec 30, 2016, 6:55 pm
#57
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Greater Chicagoland Area
Programs: frontier Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,455
Dec 31, 2016, 4:20 pm
#60
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DC Suburbs
Programs: DL Gold, Hilton Gold, Carnival VIFP Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 459
So today is the last day of 4Q2016. I bought $100 in gift cards at Walgreens and have ~500 points left to earn before maxing out the 4Q2016 bonus category, so in theory today's purchase should do it. Which makes me now wonder: does the TRANSACTION date or the POSTED date or both have to be within the given quarter to get the 5X? This transaction was today but the post date may not be until the 3rd...
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!