
Your Arco can now accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express Traditionally Arco and AM/PM gas stations could ONLY accept PIN Debit card transactions. Now, dealers have an option to accept credit cards!
Can you use a credit card at ARCO?
A notable exception is ARCO. ARCO only allows you to pay for gas using your debit card or cash — not your credit card. This long-standing policy helps the company save on credit card processing fees. Recently, the chain has experimented with accepting credit cards at select locations.
How do I pay for good gas at ARCO?
Now, at participating Washington and Oregon locations, when you pay with your debit card there’s no more 35¢ fee. 1 Pay with cash or debit card and it’s the same price. And if you think that’s good, there’s more! You’ll also have the option to pay by credit card. So now there are three different ways to pay for good gas at ARCO.
How much does Arco charge for PIN debit fees?
Going along with ARCO’s strategy of surcharging PIN debit fees of $.35 to $.45, a surcharge may be added of 3.5% to cover the Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express discount fees.
Where is ARCO® now?
ARCO® is now south of the border! Click to learn more about our expansion into Mexico. ARCO® is now south of the border! Click to learn more about our expansion into Mexico.

Does ARCO take Visa credit card?
At most major gas-station chains, you can use your credit card — whether it's from Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover. A notable exception is ARCO. ARCO only allows you to pay for gas using your debit card or cash — not your credit card.
What forms of payment does ARCO accept?
ARCO accepts cash, debit cards and, at participating locations, credit cards! In addition, ARCO PumpPASS prepaid cards are easy to get and easy to use—and they make great gifts!
When did ARCO stop accepting credit cards?
April 15The Atlantic Richfield Company, convinced that price has become more important to gasoline buyers than service, said today that it will stop accepting purchases on its credit cards on April 15. Arco, with 3 million accounts, ranks seventh among the nation's gasoline purveyors in number of credit card accounts.
Is ARCO now accepting credit cards?
ARCO Now Accepts Credit Cards Yep, you read it right! Whether you want the convenience of a credit card, or the same great low price when paying with cash or PIN debit 6, now there are even more options to pay for quality TOP TIER™ gas in Fresno and Las Vegas.
Does ARCO take credit in California?
WOOOOOOOOO!!! Now, at participating Washington, Oregon, and Northern California locations, you can pay however you want. Cash one time, debit card the next, or even use your credit card if you want to.
Why is ARCO gas so cheap?
For example, Arco. Arco is almost always cheaper than other places around. How do they do that? They keep their gas prices low by just simply not taking credit cards, not having to pay the interchange fees that go along with that, and therefore passing those savings onto their customers.
Why are gas stations not accepting credit cards?
Authorization Declines Most gas stations have a “pay-at-the-pump” feature that allows you to insert your debit or credit card at the pump and authorize payment before you dispense gas. Your bank or the gas station's payment processors may set different authorization requirements for prepayment at pumps.
How do you use a credit card at a gas pump?
Use Your Credit Card Once at the pump, you'll usually have a choice of whether you want to pay with cash or credit. Select the "credit" button. Some pumps might also ask if you want to pay inside or outside, in which case you would select "outside." Insert your credit card into the machine as indicated.
Does ARCO take Apple pay?
*Most ARCO stations only accept debit cards. What Mobile Devices allow for Mobile Wallet payment? Applications currently on the market included Apple Pay®, Samsung Pay®, and Google Pay™.
Do gas stations charge more for credit cards?
Yes, they can, but it still might be more cost-efficient to pay with plastic than cash.
Does ARCO take Apple pay?
*Most ARCO stations only accept debit cards. What Mobile Devices allow for Mobile Wallet payment? Applications currently on the market included Apple Pay®, Samsung Pay®, and Google Pay™.
Does Chevron accept MasterCard?
Cards Accepted at Chevron All primary credit cards are accepted by Chevron gas stations, plus Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Visa, and many more.
Does Ampm MasterCard?
Chino. From Visa, to American Express, MasterCard and more, purchase.
Where can I use my Arco pump pass?
Whether buying gas or gas station merchandise, ARCO PumpPASS gift and eGift cards are available to be redeemed at the pump or inside at the cashier at all of the 1,500+ US locations.
Most major gas stations accept credit cards
At most major gas-station chains, you can use your credit card — whether it’s from Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover.
Consider these credit cards for use at gas stations
When choosing a gas credit card, look for a product that offers bonus rewards on fuel. Your ideal card might also offer elevated rewards for other categories that you spend heavily in. To see the full list of cards that earn accelerated rewards on gas, visit our guide on gas rewards credit cards.
Do I need a gas station credit card?
Not necessarily. Many “everyday” rewards cards include gas as a category in their offered rewards, usually around 3% back on your gas purchases. The main advantage to getting a gas-specific rewards card is higher earning rate on those gas purchases.
Bottom line
No matter where you go, you shouldn’t have a problem using your credit card to fill up your tank. To make sure you earn the most rewards on your pit stops, compare the best gas credit card options available and pick one that best suits your needs.
Frequently asked questions
What is a gas credit card? A gas credit card offers bonus rewards or discounts on fuel purchases.
Steven Dashiell
Steven Dashiell is a writer at Finder specializing in all things credit cards. With more than 300 articles under his belt, he aims to help readers embrace credit cards and maximize their rewards.
Now Accepting Credit Cards!
THIS. IS. BIG. Now, with one convenient swipe of a credit card, you can fuel up with TOP TIER™ gas for less 1! Plus, as always, you can still get your fill on our great value when paying with cash or PIN debit 2. Check our station locator to see if credit cards are already accepted in your area!
Our Fleet Cards
Give your fleet an easy way to pay for our quality TOP TIER™ gas with our Business Solutions Fuel and Business Solutions Mastercard® cards.
Why is Arco oddball?
Arco is kind of oddball because of how BP bought them and then sold them off, but apparently kept the ampm brand. And then re-licensed the Arco name back in some markets. So it's not consistent.
What stores refused plastic?
I remember back when Aldi, Woodmans, dollar stores, Scratch and dent and most restaurants refused plastic . Some of our odd gas stations did as well.
When did Arco stop using credit cards?
When it was still Atlantic Richfield, Arco decided that they would discontinue the use of credit cards nationally in 1982. Since then they've merged and now it's like three different marketing entities using the same name. Also - when they discontinued credit cards, it was back when most only accepted their own credit cards and not Visa/MC/AMEX/Discover/etc.
When will Atlantic Richfield stop accepting credit cards?
The Atlantic Richfield Company, convinced that price has become more important to gasoline buyers than service, said today that it will stop accepting purchases on its credit cards on April 15.
Does Costco have a debit card?
At Costco, the use of any Visa debit card is a debit (and not a Visa transaction) requiring a password.
Does Exxon use iPhone apps?
We all use iPhone apps at Exxon or Mobil and get the points that way …
Why does my gas pump freeze?
There are multiple reasons this could be happening. The most common problem I've noticed is the pump itself, more often than not it needs to be reset. Just like a phone or a computer, sometimes these buggers just freeze. You can call for help from the pump and ask it to be reset through the speaker. Although sometimes the pumps are just picky and won't except certain cards, like gift cards and master cards and such. This will vary amongst different gas stations, as you've noticed.
How much does a gas card have to be to work?
Like someone said, if it was declined, the pump won’t turn on. Plus, at many gas stations here in the US too, you must have at least $150 as an available balance on your card for it to even work at the pumps to in order for it to take your credit card regardless of how much you purchase in gas. Financial institutions put a hold of up to $150 on your account to make sure gas stations get paid and they release it after 3–5 business days. The only time they won’t put that $150 collateral on your card is if you prepay inside and not at the pump. This is to ensure that you won’t stiff the gas stati
How much does Divvy line up?
With lines up to $5M, Divvy makes it easy to get the credit you need—no matter the size of your business.
What does "co-locate" mean?
co-locate another (high traffic) business inside or adjacent to the station.
Why are sales lost when not accepting credit cards?
Sales lost due to not accepting credit cards. Transaction & equipment costs to accept (the latter is probably minimal since they still accept debit) Fraud costs associated with credit cards, versus increased cash handling and theft costs for not accepting.
Is a gas station a legit CC?
It's a gas station - are you going to put one gallon on a card? Most retail biz have/had a minimum for using a CC. Technically not legit by the CC companies but its the owners choice. Businesses pay a discount rate (% of the sale) and a transaction fee of $0.20 to $0.30 for every sale, regardless of the amount. To entice ppl to pay with cash for small sales or make a larger purchase and then put it on a CC is why gas stations/retail require a minimum.
Can you pay with a debit card at Arco?
ARCO gas stations allow you to pay with a debit card, why don’t they allow you to pay with a credit card? - Quora
