Credit card rewards categories

[Always Planning]

Are WDW meal purchases (paid for by credit card) considered to be in the dining/restaurant category for cash-back rewards? Also, would general WDW merchandise purchases fall into the “other” category or the entertainment category (since this category includes theme parks)? I heard that it all depends on the Merchant Category Code?!
PS - this question is about credit cards other than the Disney Visa

 

[lanejudy]

Merchant category codes can vary by financial institution. It may help to know which credit card you will be using.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Always Planning]

Merchant category codes can vary by financial institution. It may help to know which credit card you will be using.

Enjoy your vacation!

Thanks. I have several different cards that offer varying percentages according to the category. Looks like I would need to know the catergory before I picked which card to use

 

[lanejudy]

There are sometimes threads on the Budget board asking for similar info. You could check over there.

(Oh, I just realized this got moved to the Budget forum!)

 

[barkley]

it can differ within sections of individual stores. for instance-i have a card that offers a higher amount for walmart purchases BUT if i make a purchase of an electronics item in the electronics department vs. taking it up to the regular registers i don't benefit from the higher reward b/c electronics uses a different merchant category code.

 

[kylenne]

Are WDW meal purchases (paid for by credit card) considered to be in the dining/restaurant category for cash-back rewards? Also, would general WDW merchandise purchases fall into the “other” category or the entertainment category (since this category includes theme parks)? I heard that it all depends on the Merchant Category Code?!
PS - this question is about credit cards other than the Disney Visa

Seconding that it depends on where you’re checking out in the parks and which card you’re using. I play the rewards game and while I’m not a churner at all I do have cards from a few issuers and from experience, they will generally count meal purchases as dining/restaurants. Mobile ordering is mostly how I use cards down there and they always count that as restaurant category.

That said, I personally tend to use magic bands for most meals because outside of the 5% dining quarters I get better discounts on Disney gift cards at BJs than cash back % (esp. nice in a 5% warehouse club quarter), so I stock up and use those to pay off the room bill. Discover It has restaurants at 5% when I go in August though so I’ll be using that for all my meals.

 

[Alpa]

i am interested in getting a disney gift card (for 3x pts with united mpx app), but i'm not sure which credit card to use. do u know how disney codes (meaning: mcc - merchant category code) it's gift cards? travel? entertainment?

do u know if the mcc is the same for both visa and master card?

 

[3 DD love princesses]

Are WDW meal purchases (paid for by credit card) considered to be in the dining/restaurant category for cash-back rewards? Also, would general WDW merchandise purchases fall into the “other” category or the entertainment category (since this category includes theme parks)? I heard that it all depends on the Merchant Category Code?!
PS - this question is about credit cards other than the Disney Visa

Every location varies. I just charge to the room and pay with dgc. Best way to save the most. I want to say that the store on main street didn’t code as travel/entertainment but that was a long time ago when I tested it. Then decided dgc were the best for us to pay

 

[Alpa]

do u know how disney gift card codes if bought online? the united airlines' mpx app gives 3x pts, but i don't knw if should get the gift card with a travel rewards card (chase sapphire reserve (visa), citi premier (master card) both give 3x pts for travel and hotels, so a total of 6xpts/$), or play it safe and use my citi double cash card and get 2x pts + 3x for buying thru the app.