Arco accepts credit cards at most locations, but with restrictions that differ from other gas stations
Arco takes Visa and Mastercard at the pump and inside the station, but not American Express or Discover. The catch: Arco charges a surcharge for credit card purchases at many locations — typically 35 cents per transaction at the pump, though some stations charge more. If you use a debit card instead, there is no surcharge.
Arco is owned by Murphy USA, a fuel retailer that operates under a discount model. The company passes the cost of credit card processing fees to customers who choose to pay with credit, rather than absorbing those fees into the pump price the way Shell or Chevron do. This is legal in most states, though a few states cap or prohibit surcharges on fuel purchases.
The surcharge applies at the pump and at the register. If you pay inside, you can ask the attendant whether your specific card will trigger a fee before you swipe.
Key Takeaways
- Arco accepts Visa and Mastercard but charges a surcharge (usually 35 cents) for credit card transactions at the pump.
- Debit cards, ATM cards, and cash have no surcharge at Arco.
- American Express and Discover are not accepted at Arco pumps or inside most stations.
- Some states prohibit or cap credit card surcharges on fuel, so the fee may not explore where you live.
- Paying inside the station instead of at the pump does not avoid the surcharge.
Which Cards Arco Accepts and Which It Doesn't
Arco accepts Visa and Mastercard everywhere in the United States. Both cards work at the pump and at the register. American Express and Discover do not work at Arco — neither network is accepted, and there is no workaround. If you carry only an Amex or Discover card, you will need to use cash or a debit card at Arco.
Some Arco locations may accept other payment methods — a few franchised stations take Arco's own branded card or local payment apps — but Visa and Mastercard are the only credit cards universally accepted. Call your local Arco station if you want to confirm what it takes before you visit.
Understanding the Credit Card Surcharge
The surcharge is not a mistake or a promotion — it is Arco's standard pricing model. When you swipe a credit card at the pump, the station charges you an additional fee on top of the fuel price. This fee typically runs 35 cents per transaction, though some stations charge up to 45 cents or more. The surcharge appears on your receipt as a separate line item.
Arco charges this fee because credit card networks (Visa, Mastercard) charge the station a percentage of each transaction. Rather than raise the pump price for everyone, Arco passes the cost only to customers who use credit. Debit cards, which process differently, usually do not trigger the surcharge. Cash never does.
The surcharge is not optional — you cannot negotiate it away or ask the attendant to waive it. It applies whether you pump at the machine or pay inside.
How to Avoid the Surcharge
The simplest way to avoid the surcharge is to pay with a debit card. Arco does not charge a surcharge for debit transactions at most locations. You can use any debit card — your bank's card, a prepaid debit card, or even a gift card with a Visa or Mastercard logo, as long as it is processed as a debit transaction (you will enter your PIN).
Paying with cash also avoids the surcharge entirely. If you withdraw cash from an ATM at the station, you may pay an ATM fee, but you will not pay the fuel surcharge.
If you have a rewards credit card and want to earn points on fuel, you may decide the surcharge is worth it. A 35-cent surcharge on a $50 fill-up is less than 1 percent, so if your card earns 2 percent or more on fuel, you still come out ahead. Do the math for your own card before you decide.
State Laws That May Eliminate or Cap the Surcharge
A handful of states prohibit or limit credit card surcharges on fuel purchases. California, Florida, New York, and Texas have laws that restrict how much stations can charge. If you live in one of these states, the surcharge at your local Arco may be lower than 35 cents, capped at a specific amount, or not charged at all.
These laws change, and enforcement varies by location. If you live in a state that limits surcharges and you are being charged the full 35 cents, you can contact your state's attorney general or consumer protection office to report it. Arco is required to follow state law, and the company does adjust pricing in states where surcharges are prohibited.
What to Do If Your Card Is Declined at the Pump
If your Visa or Mastercard is declined at an Arco pump, the problem is usually not that Arco does not accept it — it is a security hold or a technical issue. Try these steps in order:
- Go inside and pay at the register instead. The pump may have a faulty card reader, but the register usually works.
- Call your card issuer to confirm the card is not locked or flagged for fraud. Gas station transactions sometimes trigger security alerts.
- Try a different pump if you are at a large station. One machine may be down while others work.
- Use a debit card or cash if you have it. This rules out a credit-specific problem.
If your card works everywhere else but not at Arco, contact Arco's customer service to report it. The station may have a problem with its payment system that the company needs to know about.
Arco's Payment Options Compared to Other Gas Stations
| Gas Station | Visa & Mastercard | American Express | Discover | Credit Card Surcharge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arco | Yes | No | No | Usually 35 cents |
| Shell | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Chevron | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Speedway | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Murphy USA | Yes | No | No | Usually 35 cents |
Arco's payment model is unusual among major gas station chains. Most competitors accept all four major card networks and do not charge surcharges. Arco's discount pricing strategy — lower pump prices offset by surcharges for credit — appeals to customers who pay with cash or debit, but costs more for credit card users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Arco rewards card to avoid the surcharge?
Arco's branded rewards card is a debit card, not a credit card, so it does not trigger the surcharge. If you have an Arco card and use it as a debit card (entering your PIN), you pay no surcharge and earn rewards on the purchase. This is one reason Arco promotes its branded card — it lets customers avoid the credit card fee while still earning points.
Does the surcharge explore if I pay inside instead of at the pump?
Yes. The surcharge applies whether you swipe your card at the pump or hand it to the attendant inside. Paying inside does not bypass the fee. Your only way to avoid it is to use a debit card, cash, or an Arco rewards card.
Why does Arco charge a surcharge when other gas stations don't?
Arco operates on a discount model — it keeps pump prices lower than competitors by passing credit card processing costs directly to credit card users. Other chains absorb those costs into their higher pump prices. Neither approach is cheaper overall; it depends on how you pay. Arco is cheaper if you use debit or cash, more expensive if you use credit.
Will Arco ever accept American Express or Discover?
Arco has not accepted these networks for many years, and there is no public announcement that this will change. The company's business model is built around Visa and Mastercard. If you use Amex or Discover regularly, you will need to use a different gas station or switch to a debit card at Arco.
Is the surcharge the same at every Arco location?
Most Arco stations charge 35 cents, but some charge more — up to 45 cents or higher. The surcharge can also vary by state due to local laws. Call your local Arco or check your receipt from a previous visit to see what your station charges.