PenFed Fuel Cash Back Credit Card

CA Traveler wrote:
Several have posted about getting 5% cash back for fuel using a PenFed Credit Card. We now have that credit card and are beginning to understand the limitations. What we've learned:

1. Generally PenFed says to use it at the pump and not inside to get the cash back. But the transaction must be coded as fuel and not food or merchandise.
2. Works at independent gas stations.
3. PenFed doesn't know if it will be coded correctly when fueling in truck lanes at truck stops like FJ, etc. where you pay inside. Should be fine at the car and RV lanes where you pay at the pump.
4. PenFed doesn't know it the card will work at big box pumps like Safeway.
5. Can't be used at Costco because they don't accept Visa.

What's your experience?

BTW We have 2 Amex cards that cover all of the above but they also have limitations.

we've used ours for 3 years and have yet to NOT get the 5% on fuel purchases. However, I ALWAYS pay at the pump. Ours works at safeway, Kroger, Fred Meyer etc. The KEY is that you the gas station is seperated with it's own pay island etc and away from the store, so then the SIC code comes up as fuel not groceries.

Never had a problem at flying J, pilot etc, but we don't use the truck islands. Pen Fed is pretty specific that the card MUST be swiped at the pump and not inside. Again, inside the SIC code may come up as something other than gas station.

And, yup, the downside is that it doesn't work at Costco.

BTW even at a stand alone station, if you fill propane tanks, it won't give you the discount, since that is not swiped at the pump.

Nice things are:
1) you get the 5% credit applied to your statement BEFORE the bill, so you get the credit every month.
2) No limits on monthly or annual fuel $ or gallons like some cards
3) Gas OR diesel get you the same credit unlike some cards that are gas only, no discount on diesel.

So it's Pen Fed for FUEL, that's ALL we use it for, and our visa flex perks for EVERYTHING else I can charge, including utility bills etc. Outstanding program for airline travel on any airline w/o any of the usual airline miles restrictions.