How credit card issuers classify purchases for bonus rewards

If you have a rewards credit card that earns cash back, points or miles, you may earn bonus rewards in common spending categories, such as travel, dining and groceries. But card issuers (American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover) differ in how they classify what purchases qualify for extra rewards.

Card issuers use merchant category codes (MCCs) to classify purchases. But they have no control over which MCC a merchant receives, so that’s a factor to consider when looking at what purchases qualify for bonus rewards.

If you purchase groceries at a wholesale club, like Costco, for example, you typically won’t earn rewards under the supermarket category. And if you grab food at restaurant located in a hotel, it may not qualify for dining rewards. This can be confusing, especially if you have more than one credit card.

Below, CNBC Select reviews what expenses the major credit card issuers consider for bonus rewards on travel, dining, groceries, gas, streaming services and entertainment (as applicable).

• American Express
• Bank of America
• Capital One
• Chase
• Citi
• Discover

Travel

• Airfare booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
• Prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com
• Airfare for a scheduled flight on a passenger carrier, chartered flights and private jet flights (American Express® Green Card only)
• Transit, including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses and subways (American Express® Green Card only)
• Hotel stays, timeshare rentals and vacation rentals (American Express® Green Card only)
• Car rentals (American Express® Green Card only)
• Other travel purchases including cruises, tours, vacation packages and travel purchases made through tour operators and travel agencies, including online (American Express® Green Card only)

Travel exclusions

• Purchases of timeshare properties
• Banquets or events held at a hotel
• Meeting rooms booked at a hotel
• Truck rentals or moving van rentals

Amex credit cards that offer bonus rewards on travel:

• American Express® Gold Card: 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel and on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com
• American Express® Green Card: 3X Membership Rewards® points on eligible travel

Dining

• Restaurants located in the U.S.
• Restaurants located worldwide (depending on the card you have)

Dining exclusions

• Restaurants located worldwide (depending on the card you have)
• Bars, nightclubs, convenience stores, supermarkets, grocery stores, cafeterias, caterers, theatre clubs, breweries, bakeries and meeting venues
• You may not earn additional rewards at a restaurant located within another establishment (a restaurant inside a hotel, casino or event venue). For example, purchases made at a restaurant located within a hotel may be recognized as a purchase at a hotel, not at a restaurant

Amex credit cards that offer bonus rewards on dining:

• American Express® Gold Card: 4X Membership Rewards® points when you dine at restaurants worldwide
• American Express® Green Card: 3X Membership Rewards® points when you dine at restaurants worldwide

Grocery stores

• A supermarket offers a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies
• Must be located in the U.S.

Grocery store exclusions

• Convenience stores and specialty stores (like fish markets, cheese shops, wine shops, and other specialty food stores)
• Superstores (like Amazon, Target and Walmart)
• Warehouse clubs (like Costco, BJ’s Club)

Amex credit cards that offer bonus rewards on groceries:

• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)
• American Express® Gold Card: 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X)
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)

Gas

• A gas station is defined as a merchant that is in the primary business of selling gasoline to consumers. Gas stations may sell other convenience items, but its primary business must be selling gasoline to consumers
• Must be located in the U.S.

Gas exclusions

• Superstores, supermarkets, and warehouse clubs that sell gasoline (like Target and Costco)
• Marina or any type of commercial fuel (jet fuel)

Amex credit cards that offer bonus rewards on gas:

• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: 2% cash back at U.S. gas stations

Streaming services

• Amazon Music Unlimited
• Apple Music
• Apple TV+
• AT&T Now
• Audible
• CBS All Access
• Disney+
• ESPN+
• Fubo TV
• HBO Now
• Hulu
• iHeartRadio
• Kindle Unlimited
• Luminary
• MLB.TV
• NBA League Pass
• Netflix
• NHL.TV
• Pandora
• Prime Video
• Showtime
• Sling TV
• SiriusXM Streaming and Satellite
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• YouTube Music Premium
• YouTube Premium
• YouTube TV

Streaming services exclusions

• Subscriptions bundled with another product or service or billed by a third party (such as a digital platform, a cable, telecommunications, or internet provider or a car manufacturer), may not be eligible

Amex credit cards that offer bonus rewards on streaming services:

• Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions

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Travel

• Airlines
• Boat leases and rentals
• Buses
• Campgrounds and trailer parks
• Car rental agencies
• Cruise lines
• Ferries
• Hotels, motels, resorts
• Limousines
• Motorhome and recreational vehicle rentals
• Parking lots and garages
• Passenger railways
• Real estate agents and managers (rentals)
• Recreation services
• Taxicabs
• Timeshares
• Toll and bridge fees
• Travel-related arrangements services
• Travel agencies and tour operators
• Tourist attractions and exhibits (amusement parks, carnivals, circuses, aquariums and zoos)
• Truck and trailer utility rentals

Travel exclusions

• In-flight goods and services
• Duty-free airport purchases

Bank of America credit cards that offer bonus rewards on travel:

• Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card: 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores or home improvement/furnishings, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (3% and 2% qualifies on the first $2,500 spent at choice category, grocery store and wholesale clubs each quarter, then earn 1%) and 1% cash back on all other purchases

• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Visa® credit card: 2 points for every $1 spent on travel

Dining

• Restaurants
• Fast-food chains
• Drinking establishments, such as bars, nightclubs or taverns

Dining exclusions

• Bank of America doesn’t specify exclusions, except that it varies by how merchants classify purchases

Bank of America credit cards that offer bonus rewards on dining:

• Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card: 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores or home improvement/furnishings, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (3% and 2% qualifies on the first $2,500 spent at choice category, grocery store and wholesale clubs each quarter, then earn 1%) and 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Visa® credit card: 2 points for every $1 spent on dining purchases

Grocery stores

• Supermarkets/grocery stores
• Wholesale clubs

Grocery store exclusions

• Bank of America doesn’t specify exclusions, except that it varies by how merchants classify purchases

Bank of America credit cards that offer bonus rewards on groceries:

• Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card: 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores or home improvement/furnishings, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (3% and 2% qualifies on the first $2,500 spent at choice category, grocery store and wholesale clubs each quarter, then earn 1%) and 1% cash back on all other purchases

Gas

• Gas purchases at automated fuel dispensers; fuel dealers for coal, fuel oil, liquefied petroleum and wood; marinas and marine service and supplies; and service stations, with or without ancillary services

Gas exclusions

• Wholesale clubs that offer pay at pump locations may not qualify

Bank of America credit cards that offer bonus rewards on gas:

• Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card: 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores or home improvement/furnishings, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (3% and 2% qualifies on the first $2,500 spent at choice category, grocery store and wholesale clubs each quarter, then earn 1%) and 1% cash back on all other purchases

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Travel

• Hotel and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel

Travel exclusions

• Purchases made outside of Capital One Travel, such as hotel incidentals, upgrades or other expenses

Capital One credit cards that offer bonus rewards on travel:

• Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card: 5X miles on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel℠
• Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card: 5X miles on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel℠

Dining

• Restaurants
• Cafes
• Bars
• Lounges
• Fast-food chains
• Bakeries

Dining exclusions

• Food trucks, food carts and restaurants in department stores or hotels may not qualify

Capital One credit cards that offer bonus rewards on dining:

• Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card: 4% cash back on dining
• Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card: 3% cash back on dining

Grocery stores

• Supermarkets/grocery stores
• Meat locker, freezer, dairy product store
• Specialty markets

Grocery store exclusions

• Superstores (like Walmart and Target)

Capital One credit cards that offer bonus rewards on groceries:

• Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card: 2% cash back at grocery stores
• Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card: 2% cash back at grocery stores

Entertainment

• Ticket purchases made at movie theaters, sports promoters (professional and semi-professional live events), theatrical promoters, amusement parks, tourist attractions, aquariums, zoos, dance halls, record stores, pool halls or bowling alleys

Entertainment exclusions

• Golf courses, country clubs (including membership fees)
• Collegiate sporting events categorized as “universities”
• Cable, digital streaming and membership services
• Charitable organizations that provide live entertainment
• Amusement park tickets purchased on third-party sites
• Entertainment and resort packages categorized as “travel” or “hotel”

Capital One credit cards that offer bonus rewards on entertainment:

• Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards Credit Card: 4% cash back on entertainment
• Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card: 3% cash back on entertainment

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Travel

• Airlines
• Hotels
• Motels
• Timeshares
• Car rental agencies
• Cruise lines
• Travel agencies
• Discount travel sites
• Campgrounds and operators of passenger trains
• Buses
• Taxis
• Limousines
• Ferries
• Toll bridges and highways
• Parking lots and garages

Travel exclusions

• Merchants that provide transportation and travel-related services are not included in this category; for example, real estate agents, educational merchants arranging travel, in-flight goods and services, on-board cruise line goods and services, sightseeing activities, excursions, tourist attractions, boat rentals, merchants within hotels and airports, and merchants that rent vehicles for the purpose of hauling
• The purchasing of gift cards, points or miles do not qualify in this category unless the merchant has set up such purchases to be classified in the travel category

Chase credit cards that offer bonus rewards on travel:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: 3X points on travel
• Chase Sapphire Preferred®: 2X points on travel

Dining

• Restaurant category merchants’ primary business is sit-down or eat-in dining, including fast-food restaurants and fine dining establishments

Dining exclusions

• Merchants that sell food and drinks located within facilities such as sports stadiums, hotels and casinos, theme parks, grocery and department stores will not be included in this category unless the merchant has set up such purchases to be classified in a restaurant category
• Bakeries, caterers, gift card and delivery service merchants will not be included in this category unless the merchant has set up such purchases to be classified in the restaurant category

Chase credit cards that offer bonus rewards on dining:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: 3X points on dining worldwide
• Chase Sapphire Preferred®: 2X points on dining worldwide

Grocery stores

• Supermarkets/grocery stores
• Merchants that offer a full service grocery line of merchandise including a deli and bakery as well as smaller grocery stores

Grocery store exclusions

• Warehouse clubs
• Discount stores
• Smaller merchants such as drugstores
• Merchants that specialize in only a few grocery items
• Purchases made at gas stations from merchants who also operate grocery stores are not included in this category
• Delivery service merchants will not be included in this category unless the merchant has set up such purchases to be classified in the grocery stores category

Chase credit cards that offer bonus rewards on groceries:

• Chase Freedom®: TBA if this card will offer grocery stores as a bonus category this year. Check out the current Chase Freedom 5% cash-back calendar.

Gas

• Merchants in the gas stations category sell automotive gasoline that can be paid for either at the pump or inside the station, and may or may not sell other goods or services at their location

Gas exclusions

• Merchants that do not specialize in selling automotive gasoline are not included in this category; for example, truck stops, boat marinas, oil and propane distributors and home heating companies

Chase credit cards that offer bonus rewards on gas:

• Chase Freedom®: 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate (then 1%). Categories for January to March include gas stations, select streaming services and internet, cable and phone services. Check out the Chase Freedom 5% cash-back calendar.

Streaming services:

• Disney+
• Netflix
• Hulu
• Sling
• Vudu
• Fubo TV
• Apple Music
• SiriusXM
• Pandora
• Spotify
• YouTube TV
• ESPN+

Streaming service exclusions:

• Merchants not mentioned above

Chase credit cards that offer bonus rewards on streaming services:

• Chase Freedom®: 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate (then 1%). Categories for January to March include gas stations, select streaming services and internet, cable and phone services. Check out the Chase Freedom 5% cash-back calendar.

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Travel

• Airlines
• Hotels
• Car rental agencies
• Travel agencies/travel aggregators/tour operators
• Gas stations
• Commuter transportation
• Ferries
• Commuter railways
• Subways
• Taxis/limousines/car services
• Passenger railways
• Cruise lines
• Bridge and road tolls
• Parking lots/garages
• Campgrounds and trailer parks
• Timeshares
• Bus lines
• Motor home/recreational vehicle rentals
• Boat leases and rentals

Travel exclusions

• Recreational camps
• Insurance companies
• Auto clubs
• Fuel used for non-automobile purposes
• Real estate agencies
• Gas purchases made at warehouse clubs, discount stores, department stores and convenience stores

Citi credit cards that offer bonus rewards on travel:

• Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: 3% cash back on eligible travel purchases worldwide
• Citi Premier℠ Card: 3X points on travel

Dining

• Restaurants (including cafes, bars, lounges and fast-food restaurants)

Dining exclusions

• Bakeries
• Caterers
• Restaurants located inside other establishments (such as hotels, department stores, grocery stores, discount and convenience stores or warehouse clubs)
• Online dining delivery services

Citi credit cards that offer bonus rewards on dining:

• Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: 3% cash back on restaurants worldwide
• Citi Premier℠ Card: 2X points at restaurants

Grocery stores

• Supermarkets/grocery stores

Grocery store exclusions

• General merchandise/discount superstores
• Freezer/meat locker provisioners
• Dairy product stores
• Miscellaneous food/convenience stores
• Markets, drugstores, warehouse clubs, wholesale clubs, specialty vendors, bakeries, candy stores, nut stores, confectionery stores, and meal kit delivery services
• Some online supermarkets may not qualify

Citi credit cards that offer bonus rewards on groceries:

• Citi Rewards+℠ Card: 2X ThankYou® points at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 per year, then 1%

Gas

• Gas

Gas exclusions

• Fuel purchased for commercial purposes or used for non-automobile purposes
• Warehouse clubs, wholesale clubs, superstores, discount stores, department stores and convenience stores may not qualify

Citi credit cards that offer bonus rewards on gas:

• Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: 4% cash back on eligible gas worldwide for the first $7,000 per year (then 1%)
• Citi Premier℠ Card: 3X points on gas
• Citi Rewards+℠ Card: 2X ThankYou® points at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 per year, then 1%

Entertainment

• Live entertainment
• Live theatrical productions
• Concerts
• Live sporting events
• Movie theaters
• Amusement parks (including zoos, aquariums, circuses and carnivals)
• Tourist attractions (including museums, and art galleries)
• Record stores
• Video rental stores
• On-demand internet streaming media

Entertainment exclusions

• Satellite and cable service providers
• Charitable organizations that provide live entertainment
• Sporting camps, sports complexes where you participate in the sport
• Public and private golf courses
• Country clubs (including membership fees)
• Bowling alleys
• Video game arcades
• Stores that primarily sell video games/accessories and musical instruments
• Bookstores

Citi credit cards that offer bonus rewards on entertainment:

• Citi Premier℠ Card: 2X points on entertainment

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Dining

• Full-service restaurants
• Cafes
• Cafeterias
• Fast-food chains

Dining exclusions

• Purchases made at warehouse clubs, wholesale distributors and discount stores
• Purchases made using third-party payment accounts, tap-and-pay, mobile or wireless card readers, virtual wallets or similar technology may not be eligible

Discover credit cards that offer bonus rewards on dining:

• Discover it® Cash Back and Discover it® Balance Transfer: 5% cash back at different places each quarter after you activate bonus categories (on up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1%). Restaurants will be a bonus category from July to September, along with PayPal. Check out the Discover’s 5% cash-back calendar.
• Discover it® chrome and Discover it® Secured: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%)

Grocery store

• Supermarkets/grocery stores

Grocery store exclusions

• Grocery purchases made at convenience stores, gas stations, warehouse clubs, discount stores, superstores (or at grocery stores associated with superstores or discount stores), including Walmart and Target
• Purchases made using third-party payment accounts, tap-and-pay, mobile or wireless card readers, virtual wallets or similar technology may not be eligible

Discover credit cards that offer bonus rewards on groceries:

• Discover it® Cash Back and Discover it® Balance Transfer: 5% cash back at different places each quarter after you activate bonus categories (on up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1%). Grocery stores are a bonus category from January to March, along with Walgreens and CVS. Check out the Discover’s 5% cash-back calendar.

Gas

• Merchants that sell automotive gasoline that can be paid for either at the pump or inside the station

Gas exclusions

• Gas stations affiliated with superstores, supermarkets, discount stores, warehouse clubs or wholesale distributors may not be eligible
• Purchases made using third-party payment accounts, tap-and-pay, mobile or wireless card readers, virtual wallets or similar technology may not be eligible

Discover credit cards that offer bonus rewards on gas:

• Discover it® Cash Back and Discover it® Balance Transfer: 5% cash back at different places each quarter after you activate bonus categories (on up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1%). Gas stations will be a bonus category from April to June, along with Uber, Lyft and wholesale clubs. Check out the Discover’s 5% cash-back calendar.
• Discover it® chrome and Discover it® Balance Transfer: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%)

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Information about the Chase Freedom®, Costco Anywhere Visa® by Citi, Citi Premier℠ Card, and all Capital One® cards has been collected independently by CNBC and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the cards prior to publication.