Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) are four-digit numbers assigned to businesses by credit card companies to identify the type of goods or services they provide. In Canada, MCCs are used by credit card companies to determine the interchange fees that merchants are charged for accepting credit card payments.

Here are some examples of MCCs used in Canada:

• 5411: Grocery Stores, Supermarkets
• 5541: Service Stations
• 5812: Restaurants
• 5814: Fast Food Restaurants
• 5921: Liquor Stores
• 5999: Miscellaneous and Specialty Retail Stores
• 7011: Lodging – Hotels, Motels, Resorts
• 7999: Amusement Parks, Recreation Services
• 8211: Elementary and Secondary Schools
• 5995: Pet Shops, Pet Food, and Supplies
• 5942: Book Stores
• 5944: Jewelry Stores, Watches, Clocks, and Silverware Stores
• 7012: Timeshares
• 7372: Computer Programming, Data Processing, and Integrated Systems Design
• 7995: Betting, including Lottery Tickets, Casino Gaming Chips, Off-Track Betting, and Wagers at Race Tracks
• 8398: Charitable and Social Service Organizations
• 4111: Passenger Railways
• 4121: Taxicabs and Limousines
• 4511: Airlines and Air Carriers
• 4722: Travel Agencies and Tour Operators
• 5943: Stationery Stores, Office and School Supply Stores
• 5945: Hobby, Toy, and Game Shops
• 7538: Auto Repair Shops
• 7832: Motion Picture Theaters
• 7997: Membership Clubs (Country Clubs, Golf Clubs, etc.)

There are many more MCCs in use in Canada, covering a wide range of businesses and industries. Credit card companies may use different MCCs or group businesses differently, so the same business may have different MCCs depending on the credit card issuer.

How to Find a Merchant Category Code in Canada

Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) are typically assigned by credit card companies and may not be publicly available for all merchants. However, there are a few ways to find an MCC for a particular merchant in Canada:

1. Contact the merchant’s payment processor: The merchant’s payment processor may be able to provide the MCC associated with the merchant’s account. You can typically find contact information for a merchant’s payment processor on their website or on their receipts.
2. Search for the merchant on the Visa or Mastercard MCC lookup tool: Both Visa and Mastercard offer online tools that allow you to search for merchants and find their associated MCCs. These tools are typically available to cardholders and may require you to create an account or log in to access them.
3. Check the merchant’s receipt or statement: Some merchants may include their MCC on receipts or billing statements. Look for a four-digit number next to the merchant’s name or logo on the receipt or statement, which may indicate their MCC.

MasterCard merchant category code lookup

Mastercard offers an online tool called the “Merchant Category Code Lookup” that allows you to search for merchants and find their associated MCCs. Here’s how to use the tool:

1. Go to the Mastercard MCC Lookup tool website: https://www.mastercard.ca/en-ca/about-mastercard/what-we-do/interchange.html
2. Enter the merchant name or location: In the search field, enter the name of the merchant you’re looking for or their location, such as city or postal code.
3. Click “Search”: Click the “Search” button to begin the search.
4. Review the search results: The search results will show a list of merchants that match your search criteria. Click on the merchant name to see their associated MCC.

Note that the Mastercard MCC Lookup tool is intended for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of MCC accuracy. It’s always a good idea to verify the MCC with the merchant or their payment processor to ensure accuracy.

Visa merchant category code lookup

Visa offers an online tool called the “Visa Supplier Locator” that allows you to search for merchants and find their associated MCCs. Here’s how to use the tool:

1. Go to the Visa Supplier Locator website: https://www.visa.ca/run-your-business/tools-and-resources/visa-supplier-locator.html
2. Enter the merchant name or location: In the search field, enter the name of the merchant you’re looking for or their location, such as city or postal code.
3. Click “Search”: Click the “Search” button to begin the search.
4. Review the search results: The search results will show a list of merchants that match your search criteria. Click on the merchant name to see their associated MCC.

Note that the Visa Supplier Locator tool is intended for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of MCC accuracy. It’s always a good idea to verify the MCC with the merchant or their payment processor to ensure accuracy.

Why Does It Matter?

Knowing a merchant’s MCC can be important for both merchants and consumers for a few reasons:

1. Interchange fees: Credit card companies use MCCs to determine the interchange fees that merchants are charged for accepting credit card payments. Interchange fees are the fees that merchants pay to credit card companies every time a customer makes a purchase using their credit card. The interchange fees charged can vary depending on the MCC assigned to the merchant. By knowing their MCC, merchants can ensure that they are being charged the correct interchange fees for their business.
2. Rewards and benefits: Credit card companies also use MCCs to determine the rewards and benefits that cardholders receive for making purchases. Cardholders may earn different rewards rates or bonuses for purchases made in specific MCC categories, such as dining or travel. By knowing which MCCs are associated with the merchants they frequent, cardholders can maximize their rewards earning potential.
3. Regulatory compliance: Some industries are subject to specific regulations or restrictions that may be associated with specific MCCs. For example, businesses that sell alcohol may be assigned an MCC associated with liquor stores, and they may be subject to additional regulatory requirements. By knowing their MCC, merchants can ensure that they are complying with any relevant regulations or restrictions.

Overall, knowing a merchant’s MCC can help merchants and consumers better understand the costs and benefits associated with credit card transactions and can help ensure that they are complying with any relevant regulations or restrictions.

How To Maximize Category Code Earnings

To maximize the rewards earnings on category code spending, here are some tips:

1. Choose credit cards with rewards programs that offer bonus rewards in your preferred spending categories: Before applying for a credit card, review the rewards program details to see if it offers bonus rewards in the categories where you spend the most.
2. Use credit cards that offer rotating bonus categories: Some credit cards offer rotating bonus categories that change every quarter or so. Make sure to activate the bonus category each quarter and use the card for spending in that category to earn the maximum rewards.
3. Be mindful of how you use your cards: Be strategic about which card you use for which purchases. For example, use a card that offers bonus rewards for dining when you eat out, and use a different card that offers bonus rewards for gas when you fill up your tank.
4. Check merchant category codes before making a purchase: Before making a purchase, check the merchant category code associated with the merchant to ensure that it qualifies for bonus rewards. If the merchant is not categorized in the desired category, try to find an alternative merchant that does.
5. Stack rewards earning opportunities: Look for opportunities to stack rewards, such as using a credit card that offers bonus rewards for a particular category when making a purchase through a cashback website or mobile app that also offers cashback for that same category.
6. Use credit cards for all eligible purchases: Make sure to use your credit cards for all eligible purchases to maximize your rewards earning potential. However, make sure to pay your balance in full every month to avoid interest charges that could outweigh your rewards earnings.

By following these tips, you can maximize your rewards earnings on category code spending and get the most out of your credit cards’ rewards programs.

How MCCs stream qualifying rewards purchases

MCCs play an important role in how credit card companies determine the rewards and benefits that cardholders receive for making purchases. Credit card issuers often offer different rewards rates for different categories of spending, such as dining, gas, or travel.

To determine which purchases qualify for rewards, credit card companies use the MCC assigned to each merchant. For example, if a credit card issuer offers extra rewards points for dining purchases, they might set the rewards rate to apply to purchases made at merchants with MCCs associated with restaurants (such as MCC 5812).

When a cardholder makes a purchase, the credit card company checks the merchant’s MCC to determine whether the purchase qualifies for rewards. If the purchase falls within a qualifying MCC category, the cardholder earns the specified rewards or benefits (such as cash back or points). If the purchase falls outside of a qualifying MCC category, the cardholder may not earn rewards or may earn a lower rewards rate.

It’s worth noting that credit card companies may interpret MCCs differently, and a business’s MCC can also change over time. As a result, it’s important for cardholders to check the MCC associated with a merchant before making a purchase to ensure that it qualifies for rewards.

What MCC Codes Does Costco Come Under?

Costco Wholesale Corporation, which operates a chain of membership-based warehouse clubs, is typically assigned MCC codes related to retail and wholesale operations. Here are some examples of MCC codes that may be used for Costco:

• MCC 5300: Wholesale Clubs
• MCC 5310: Discount Stores
• MCC 5399: Miscellaneous General Merchandise Stores
• MCC 5411: Grocery Stores, Supermarkets
• MCC 5942: Book Stores

It’s worth noting that MCC codes can vary depending on the credit card network or issuer, and businesses can also have multiple MCC codes assigned to them based on their various business activities.

What MCC Codes Does Walmart Come Under?

Walmart, the multinational retail corporation, is typically assigned MCC codes related to retail and general merchandise. Here are some examples of MCC codes that may be used for Walmart:

• MCC 5300: Wholesale Clubs
• MCC 5310: Discount Stores
• MCC 5399: Miscellaneous General Merchandise Stores
• MCC 5411: Grocery Stores, Supermarkets
• MCC 5942: Book Stores