Guide
How MCC codes affect your credit card rewards (2026)
Every merchant has a Merchant Category Code (MCC) that issuers use to apply — or deny — category bonuses. Costco (wholesale), Walmart (discount store), and Starbucks (restaurant) all behave differently than shoppers expect.
Quick comparison
| Card | Best for | Earn rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery bonus cards | MCC 5411 supermarkets | 4–6% | Varies |
| Dining bonus cards | MCC 5812 restaurants | 3–4× | Varies |
| Catch-all cards | Any MCC | 2% | $0 |
Why most people pick the wrong card
Consumers buy groceries at Walmart and expect grocery bonuses — but the discount-store MCC blocks the bonus.
How Pikt routes smarter than guesswork
Pikt links the cards you already carry, checks merchant offers first, then category multipliers, and tells you which card to swipe — with a plain-English explanation and dollar estimate for every purchase. Pikt uses merchant-level data, not store branding, to route your purchase.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I look up a merchant's MCC?
- Sometimes via issuer transaction detail after purchase. Pikt aims to surface this before you swipe.
See your personal best cards
Generic advice assumes average spend. Your wallet is different. Take Pikt's 60-second quiz — pick your top spending areas and whether you prefer cash back, travel points, or simplicity.
Where does your money go?
Pick your top spending areas and we'll show you which cards earn the most for each.
What matters most to you?
No account needed to try it · Free to start
No account required · Free to start · No new cards needed