VISA Merchant category database
#1
Original Poster

Join Date: May 2001
Location: RSW/FMY
Programs: All, but no status!
Posts: 754
VISA Merchant category database
I think this is pretty interesting.
This website:
http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/...r/NewSearch.do
Shows what spending categories of Visa considers each merchant to be in. This can be a useful website for figuring out which companies are counted as "office-supply stores" for the Ink cards, for example.
And, furthermore, if you think you're going to be purchasing gift cards at Staples and telling Chase that these were regular office supplies, you may be interested in learning what level of data that merchant provides to the card company.
http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/...DLDisplay.html
This website:
http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/...r/NewSearch.do
Shows what spending categories of Visa considers each merchant to be in. This can be a useful website for figuring out which companies are counted as "office-supply stores" for the Ink cards, for example.
And, furthermore, if you think you're going to be purchasing gift cards at Staples and telling Chase that these were regular office supplies, you may be interested in learning what level of data that merchant provides to the card company.
http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/...DLDisplay.html
#3
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Eco Travel, Signatures




Join Date: Jun 2003
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Posts: 51,866
#6
Original Poster

Join Date: May 2001
Location: RSW/FMY
Programs: All, but no status!
Posts: 754
They are definitely different companies, so I wouldn't think that they would match 100%. I do believe you can get the Ink products in Visa or MasterCard, if you ask Chase. My own ink card is a MasterCard, so while I do find the information this database interesting, I don't rely on it 100%.
#7


Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 285
Credit card merchant category codes
Is there a list anywhere of each merchant and what merchant code they classify their credit card transactions as?
I'm trying to figure out if my Slacker Internet Radio subscription should be moved to my INK Bold for the 5X points. Does anyone know if that merchant qualifies as cable/internet?
I'm trying to figure out if my Slacker Internet Radio subscription should be moved to my INK Bold for the 5X points. Does anyone know if that merchant qualifies as cable/internet?
#8
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Programs: Southwest RR, Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 57
Here is the master database that nearly everybody uses. It is supplied by Visa, but it is used industry wide.
http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/...tLoadAction.do
I quickly tried to look up slacker but couldn't find it as it appears to want a City/Zip. You can play around with it and see if you can find it.
http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/...tLoadAction.do
I quickly tried to look up slacker but couldn't find it as it appears to want a City/Zip. You can play around with it and see if you can find it.
#9
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Eco Travel, Signatures




Join Date: Jun 2003
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Moderator action
elbombo's question has been appended to the thread discussing this tool.
#10
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 179
Help to determine if a supplier is "office suppies" for 5x points with Chase
I am trying to determine if on of my suppliers would be classified as "office supplies" for 5x points with Chase Ink Bold.
I cannot find this information.
So...is there a place to go to see if a merchant is the correct "category" for 5x points??
I searched google, etc, but couldn't find an answer.
I'm interested in one supplier, but, really, would like to know the best/correct way to go about searching this information (If such a method exists).
Any help would be appreciated...
I cannot find this information.
So...is there a place to go to see if a merchant is the correct "category" for 5x points??
I searched google, etc, but couldn't find an answer.
I'm interested in one supplier, but, really, would like to know the best/correct way to go about searching this information (If such a method exists).
Any help would be appreciated...
#11


Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, UA PS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,906
http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/...r/NewSearch.do
Do a Name Search for your supplier and see what they show up as. Industry Segment "OFFICE SUPPLIES/STATIONERY -5943" is 5X on Chase Ink.
Do a Name Search for your supplier and see what they show up as. Industry Segment "OFFICE SUPPLIES/STATIONERY -5943" is 5X on Chase Ink.
#12
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: MSP
Posts: 330
http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/...r/NewSearch.do
Do a Name Search for your supplier and see what they show up as. Industry Segment "OFFICE SUPPLIES/STATIONERY -5943" is 5X on Chase Ink.
Do a Name Search for your supplier and see what they show up as. Industry Segment "OFFICE SUPPLIES/STATIONERY -5943" is 5X on Chase Ink.
It says my nearby private school is coded as Office Supplies/Stationary and will get 5x...
Edit: I did another check and it says my closest OD is 'General Merchandise'
Last edited by BBPlaya13; Oct 9, 2013 at 9:16 am Reason: I did another check and it says my closest OD is 'General Merchandise'
#13




Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: AS Platinum, AA Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,668
I'm not able to access the Visa merchant look-up links provided above. Does anyone know whether they've been moved --- and if so, do you have their new web address? TIA!
Last edited by jbalmuth; Mar 24, 2014 at 6:48 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: Aadvantage, Alaska, SPG, United
Posts: 30
If a merchant has two MCC, is there a way for them to select which MCC they want to use before swiping the card?
I currently live in an apartment that also runs a hotel. I paid my rent last month, and the transaction used the personal service category instead of the hotel category. I asked the office and no one knows what I'm talking about... I'm hoping someone in flyer talk who has experience with this can give me information about how this process work. Thanks.
I currently live in an apartment that also runs a hotel. I paid my rent last month, and the transaction used the personal service category instead of the hotel category. I asked the office and no one knows what I'm talking about... I'm hoping someone in flyer talk who has experience with this can give me information about how this process work. Thanks.
Last edited by frugaltraveller0487; Aug 22, 2016 at 6:21 am

