With e-commerce growing every year, understanding how online purchases are categorized can help you earn more rewards. This guide covers the MCC codes used by major online retailers like Amazon, eBay, Shopee, and more.
Key E-Commerce MCC Codes
Online retailers typically use one of these MCC codes:
Marketplaces
Multi-vendor platforms like Shopee, Lazada, and some Amazon transactions. Used when the platform hosts multiple sellers.
5399Miscellaneous General Merchandise
Catch-all category for retailers selling various products. Common for Amazon and other large online retailers.
5818Digital Goods – Large Digital Goods Merchant
Major digital retailers processing over 25 million transactions annually. Used by platforms like Apple, Google Play, and Steam.
5999Miscellaneous and Specialty Retail
Specialty online stores that don't fit other categories. Common for niche e-commerce sites.
How Major Online Retailers Code
Amazon
Amazon's MCC varies depending on what you purchase:
- General purchases: Usually MCC 5399 or 5942 (Books)
- Amazon Fresh/Whole Foods: May code as grocery (5411)
- Kindle/Digital: May code as 5815 or 5818
- Third-party sellers: Often 5399 or 5262
eBay
eBay transactions typically code as:
- Auctions/Buy It Now: Usually MCC 5399 or 5262
- eBay acts as a marketplace, so your card sees it as general merchandise
Shopee & Lazada (Southeast Asia)
Southeast Asian e-commerce giants typically use:
- Shopee: Primarily MCC 5262 (Marketplaces)
- Lazada: Usually MCC 5262 or 5399
AliExpress
AliExpress typically codes as MCC 5399 or 5262, depending on the seller configuration.
Digital Goods MCCs
Purchases of digital content use specific MCCs:
App Stores and Gaming Platforms
- Apple App Store: MCC 5818 (Large Digital Merchant)
- Google Play: MCC 5818 or 5816 (Games)
- Steam: MCC 5816 (Digital Games)
- PlayStation Store: MCC 5816
- Xbox/Microsoft Store: MCC 5816 or 5818
- Netflix: MCC 4899 (Streaming Services)
- Spotify: MCC 4899 (Streaming Services)
Subscription Services
Subscription-based online services often use specific MCCs:
- Streaming (Netflix, Disney+, Spotify): MCC 4899
- Software subscriptions (Adobe, Microsoft 365): MCC 5817
- News subscriptions (NYT, WSJ): MCC 5968 (Continuity/Subscription)
- Amazon Prime: May code as 5399 or separate membership MCC
Credit Cards for Online Shopping
Few cards have specific "online shopping" bonus categories, but here are some options:
- Amazon Visa: 5% back at Amazon and Whole Foods
- PayPal Cashback: 3% with PayPal, 2% everywhere else
- Citi Double Cash: 2% on everything (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay)
- Cards with rotating categories: Sometimes include online shopping quarters
Tips for Maximizing Online Shopping Rewards
- Use shopping portals: Many card issuers have portals offering extra points on online stores
- Pay directly with your card: Using PayPal or other intermediaries may change the MCC
- Check for store-specific cards: Amazon, Target, and Walmart cards offer enhanced rewards at their stores
- Consider browser extensions: Tools like Rakuten can stack on top of card rewards