Updated April 2026
MCC (Merchant Category Code)
A four-digit code assigned by card networks to every merchant that classifies the type of business, affecting interchange rates, rewards earning, and sometimes card acceptance restrictions.
A Merchant Category Code (MCC) is a four-digit code assigned by the card network (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) to every merchant when they establish a card-acceptance relationship. The MCC classifies the merchant's primary business type.
MCCs affect several consumer-facing outcomes:
1. Rewards earning: Credit card rewards programs use MCCs to define bonus-earning categories. A card that offers 3% cash back on "restaurants" uses MCC codes 5812 (Eating Places and Restaurants), 5813 (Drinking Places), and sometimes 5814 (Fast Food Restaurants) to classify eligible transactions. Buying groceries at a restaurant attachment (e.g., a hotel restaurant) may earn restaurant rewards. Buying from a grocery store attached to a pharmacy chain may earn grocery or drug store rewards depending on the MCC.
2. Interchange rates: Interchange is MCC-specific. Supermarkets, healthcare, and utilities have preferred (lower) interchange rates. Premium merchants and restaurants have standard rates. Gas stations have special AFD interchange categories. The MCC determines which interchange rate applies to a transaction.
3. Restrictions: Some corporate card programs, prepaid cards, or government-issued cards restrict spending to approved MCCs. Military and federal government debit cards may block gambling or adult-entertainment MCCs.
4. Cash advance designation: Some credit card issuers treat transactions at certain MCCs (casinos, lottery retailers, some ATM-adjacent businesses) as cash advances, which carry higher APRs and fees and begin accruing interest immediately.
MCC lookups: Visa publishes its MCC list at usa.visa.com. Mastercard publishes Merchant Category Codes in its Transaction Processing Rules. The MCC for a specific merchant can sometimes be found using open-source MCC lookup tools; the actual MCC is determined when the merchant signs up with their acquiring bank.
Credit vs Debit: how MCC (Merchant Category Code) differs
MCC affects credit card rewards but has minimal consumer-facing impact on debit cards (since Durbin-capped debit interchange doesn't fund rewards programs at large banks). The MCC is also relevant for determining whether a credit card transaction might be classified as a cash advance (casino, adult entertainment MCCs) which would trigger different fee and interest terms. Debit card users are unaffected by cash-advance MCC classifications.
Related guides
Related glossary terms
Signature Debit vs PIN Debit
Two routing paths for debit card transactions: signature debit goes through Visa/MC network (higher merchant fee, more protections); PIN debit goes through regional networks (lower fee, different protections).
Interchange
The fee paid by the merchant's bank to the cardholder's bank for processing a card transaction; the primary reason merchants charge different prices for card types.
AFD Pre-Auth (Automated Fuel Dispenser)
The pre-authorisation hold of up to $175 placed by gas pump terminals before the actual fuel amount is known, governed by Visa and Mastercard network rules.
Verified April 2026 against eCFR.gov and CFPB regulation pages. Not legal advice. Return to glossary →