CVS Merchant Classification
 

Just curious if anyone knows how CVS classifies themselves as a merchant with their CC processor, especially given that most CVS locations sell food.

Would they fall under any of these categories? I bolded a couple that I thought CVS might match.

(1) "grocery"-purchases made at retail establishments that classify their merchant location to American Express® as "Grocery Stores, Supermarkets, Wholesale Clubs, Miscellaneous General Merchandise Stores, Freezer And Locker Meat Provisioners, Candy, Nut Confectionery Stores, Dairy Products Stores, Bakeries, Misc Food Stores - Speciality, Convenience, Market";

A quick check on Amex bill shows:
Category: Merchandise & Supplies - Pharmacies

Bad news, but thanks for checking.

Nice idea, but they are Merchandise & Supplies - Pharmacies per my bills.

I think you get this classification when you initially set-up your credit card agreement, and it is based on the "majority" of your business.

Merchants are assigned an MCC (merchant category) or SIC code by their acquiring institution based on the nature of their business.

Sometimes you'll see some strange ones out there - I went to a club one time that was categorized as a restaurant! You better bet I'll be using a different card to pay for my beers next time I'm there.

Moderator action
 

Thread transferred to Credit Card Programs forum. Previous discussion here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...-database.html

Very interesting about Target (specific to those who want to earn supermarket/grocery store bonuses)

When I search Target using the Visa database (not sure if the Amex merchant database would yield a different result), I see 3 different designations:

GROCERY STORES/SUPERMARKETS/BAKERIES -5411 N/A
HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES/SUPPLIES -8099 N/A
ELECTRONIC SALES/REPAIR -5732

These are all for the same Target store at a single address, which leads me to believe the different cash registers in the general check-out, electronics area and pharmacy are coded differently.