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What Do Issuers Count as Travel Purchases? - MSN
Some issuers count anything travel related, while others are a bit stingier.
Travel is one of the most common credit card rewards categories you can find. In fact, most major issuers -- and no small number of minor ones -- offer at least one travel rewards credit card that earns bonus rewards on travel purchases. But what, exactly, counts as a travel purchase?
It all comes down to merchant codes. Each merchant that accepts credit cards has what's called a merchant code, which is usually a four-digit number that tells the credit card networks and issuers what types of goods or services the merchant offers. Merchant codes can be fairly specific. For example, an airline will likely have a merchant code for "airline."
The types of merchant codes that a credit card issuer counts as part of its travel category will vary. Some issuers may include any travel-related merchant code, while others are more limited.
Some issuers count anything travel related, while others are a bit stingier.
Travel is one of the most common credit card rewards categories you can find. In fact, most major issuers -- and no small number of minor ones -- offer at least one travel rewards credit card that earns bonus rewards on travel purchases. But what, exactly, counts as a travel purchase?
It all comes down to merchant codes. Each merchant that accepts credit cards has what's called a merchant code, which is usually a four-digit number that tells the credit card networks and issuers what types of goods or services the merchant offers. Merchant codes can be fairly specific. For example, an airline will likely have a merchant code for "airline."
The types of merchant codes that a credit card issuer counts as part of its travel category will vary. Some issuers may include any travel-related merchant code, while others are more limited.