What is MCC code (Merchant Category Code) ?
MCC (Merchant Category Code) is a 4-digit code assigned to every merchant by credit card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc.). It helps banks categorize transactions and determine whether they are eligible for rewards, cashback, or milestone benefits.
Why is MCC Important?
- Reward Points Eligibility – Some MCCs are excluded from rewards (e.g., fuel, rent, utility payments).
- Milestone Benefits – Excluded MCC spends may not count towards spending targets.
- Bonus Category Rewards – Certain MCC code (e.g., travel, dining) offer extra rewards.
- Waiver of Annual Fees – Some banks exclude certain MCCs from fee waiver calculations.
Common Excluded MCCs (No Rewards on These Categories)
| MCC Code | Category | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 5541, 5542 | Fuel Pumps | HP, BPCL, Shell, Indian Oil |
| 6513 | Rent Payments | NoBroker, RedGiraffe, Paytm Rent |
| 4814, 4900 | Utility Bills | Electricity (BSES, Adani), Broadband (Airtel, Jio) |
| 6300, 6012 | Insurance | Policybazaar, LIC, HDFC Ergo |
| 9399, 9222 | Government Payments | Income Tax, FastTag, Court Fees |
| 6540 | Wallet Loads | Paytm, Mobikwik, Amazon Pay Wallet |
| 1520 | Real Estate | Property Payments |
| 8211, 8220 | Education Fees | Schools, Colleges, Coaching Centers |
How to Check mcc code for a Transaction?
- Bank Statement – Some banks display MCC next to the transaction.
- Customer Care – Call your bank and ask for the MCC of a specific merchant.
- Card Network Tools – Visa/Mastercard merchant lookup tools (if available).
- Third-Party Tools – Websites like:mcc-codes.com, visa.com/supplierlocator
How MCC Affects Credit Card Rewards?
1. No Rewards on Excluded MCCs
- If you use an Axis Atlas card at a petrol pump (MCC 5541), you get 0 rewards.
- Rent payments (MCC 6513) on HDFC Infinia/DCB also give no rewards.
2. Bonus Rewards on Specific MCCs
- Travel (Airlines, Hotels):
- MCC 3000-3299 (Airlines) – 5X rewards on Axis Atlas
- MCC 3500-3999 (Hotels) – 5X rewards
- Dining (MCC 5812, 5814):
- 3X-5X rewards on premium cards like Amex Platinum.
3. Milestone Benefits May Not Count
- If you spend ₹2L on rent (MCC 6513), it won’t count towards milestone benefits on cards like Axis Magnus.
Common MCC-Related Issues & Solutions
❌ “I booked a hotel directly but didn’t get 5X rewards!”
→ Possible reason: The hotel might have used a travel agency MCC (4722) instead of a hotel MCC (3500-3999).
✅ Solution: Contact customer care for manual reward correction.
❌ “I paid bills via Paytm but got no cashback!”
→ Paytm wallet loads (MCC 6540) are excluded.
✅ Solution: Use direct utility payment (MCC 4814) via Amazon Pay/cred.
❌ “I bought electronics but didn’t get rewards!”
→ Some stores may have a wholesale MCC (5399) instead of retail (5732).
✅ Solution: Swipe at a proper retail store (MCC 5411-5999).
Tips to Maximize Rewards by Avoiding MCC Issues
✔ Book Directly – Airlines/hotels via their website (not via MakeMyTrip/Goibibo).
✔ Use POS Swipe – Instead of UPI/wallet payments for eligible categories.
✔ Check MCC Before Payment – Especially for large spends (rent, insurance).
✔ Use the Right Card – Avoid using travel cards for fuel/rent (use SBI BPCL for fuel, HDFC Millennia for wallet spends).
✔ Dispute Wrong MCCs – If rewards are missing, email the bank for correction.
Final Advice: Optimize Your Card Usage
- Axis Atlas → Best for flights & hotels (5X rewards).
- Amex Platinum Travel → Use only for travel, dining.
- HDFC Millennia → Best for Paytm/Amazon wallet loads (5% cashback on wallet redemption).
- SBI BPCL → Best for fuel spends (4-6.25% value back).
Always check MCCs before big spends! 💳🔥
Got more questions? Comment below! 👇
