topic Re: US Bank Gym category.... in Credit Cards

US Bank Gym category....

Gregory1776 — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 16:08:00 GMT

didn't count my gym after finally scrutinizing my statements it got counted as 1%. Really annoying has anyone ever called and asked if they could fix it / will they?

Re: US Bank Gym category....

JoeRockhead — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 16:21:01 GMT

I don't know whether or not USB can fix it. It may be an issue of the gym having been assigned the incorrect MCC (merchant category code). MCCs are assigned by the processing provider the gym is using. They (gym) could reach out to their processor to ask if they're being categorized correctly... as a gym/fitness center. If they are then I'd reach out to USB.

Re: US Bank Gym category....

Slabenstein — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 16:22:08 GMT

What category a purchase codes as is set on the merchant side, so usually there isn't anything an issuer can or will do if a purchase doesn't count for the category it should. My regular gas station doesn't code as gas with Amex, which is annoying since my card with a gas category is the BCE.

Re: US Bank Gym category....

PullingMeSoftly — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 16:54:03 GMT

Unfortunately some gyms don't code under the same MCC that some of the major chains do. US Bank lists these as sample merchants, but the category isn't limited to just these:

From experience I know YMCA doesn't count, because their MCC is related to club memberships or something of that nature vs. gyms/fitness. Same can be said for the smaller specialty gyms and single location clubs, who often have some other MCC.

Re: US Bank Gym category....

ElvisCaprice — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 18:34:24 GMT

I've tried calling US Bank about not getting a 5% category credit vs. 1% catch all and they can't do a thing about it. That's my biggest complaint about the Cash +, it's far too narrow in capturing those MCC's. But in all fairness I'm sure it can be a problem with other CC's as well. Thus my preference with using BofA CCR, category online, via paypal, always captures the category 5.25% reward. Making my US Bank Cash + a sock drawer card.

Re: US Bank Gym category....

Gregory1776 — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 19:18:22 GMT

@ElvisCaprice wrote:
I've tried calling US Bank about not getting a 5% category credit vs. 1% catch all and they can't do a thing about it. That's my biggest complaint about the Cash +, it's far too narrow in capturing those MCC's. But in all fairness I'm sure it can be a problem with other CC's as well. Thus my preference with using BofA CCR, category online, via paypal, always captures the category 5.25% reward. Making my US Bank Cash + a sock drawer card.

I called them and asked them about it. They are going to research it, I am crossing my fingers and not expecting anything.

I would've gotten $20 back for my annual gym membership. I'm contemplating open a whole new account for the smartly credit card or just converting this cash plus card to it. I completely expect the 4% unlimited to eventually get Nerfed and having opened a new account, with the hard pull and account age will be annoying if that happens. Plus I am 1/12 and I do not know if people are getting approved for the card with that. I don't want to wait for 0/12.

I'd love 4 categories at 5% but won't really care if the 4% stays or gets grandfathered in. Clothing stores like Calvin Klein didn't even get the 5% 😑☺️😫😠

Re: US Bank Gym category....

ElvisCaprice — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 19:32:08 GMT

@Gregory1776 wrote:
@ElvisCaprice wrote:
I've tried calling US Bank about not getting a 5% category credit vs. 1% catch all and they can't do a thing about it. That's my biggest complaint about the Cash +, it's far too narrow in capturing those MCC's. But in all fairness I'm sure it can be a problem with other CC's as well. Thus my preference with using BofA CCR, category online, via paypal, always captures the category 5.25% reward. Making my US Bank Cash + a sock drawer card.
I called them and asked them about it. They are going to research it, I am crossing my fingers and not expecting anything.
I would've gotten $20 back for my annual gym membership. I'm contemplating open a whole new account for the smartly credit card or just converting this cash plus card to it. I completely expect the 4% unlimited to eventually get Nerfed and having opened a new account, with the hard pull and account age will be annoying if that happens. Plus I am 1/12 and I do not know if people are getting approved for the card with that. I don't want to wait for 0/12.
I'd love 4 categories at 5% but won't really care if the 4% stays or gets grandfathered in. Clothing stores like Calvin Klein didn't even get the 5% 😑☺️😫😠

I wouldn't worry about the Smartly getting nerfed. If they did it would only be to cap the 4% at some generous limit. I highly doubt they would reduce the 4%. If you want both, I would apply for the Smartly, DP's suggest they are wavering on their requirements and allowing anyone in with the Smartly, be it you may get a smaller SLI. Otherwise, yea, if the Cash + isn't doing anything for you, PC it, if allowed. I expect at some point they will offer a SUB for the Smartly.

Re: US Bank Gym category....

Gregory1776 — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 20:22:58 GMT

@ElvisCaprice wrote:
@Gregory1776 wrote:
@ElvisCaprice wrote:
I've tried calling US Bank about not getting a 5% category credit vs. 1% catch all and they can't do a thing about it. That's my biggest complaint about the Cash +, it's far too narrow in capturing those MCC's. But in all fairness I'm sure it can be a problem with other CC's as well. Thus my preference with using BofA CCR, category online, via paypal, always captures the category 5.25% reward. Making my US Bank Cash + a sock drawer card.
I called them and asked them about it. They are going to research it, I am crossing my fingers and not expecting anything.
I would've gotten $20 back for my annual gym membership. I'm contemplating open a whole new account for the smartly credit card or just converting this cash plus card to it. I completely expect the 4% unlimited to eventually get Nerfed and having opened a new account, with the hard pull and account age will be annoying if that happens. Plus I am 1/12 and I do not know if people are getting approved for the card with that. I don't want to wait for 0/12.
I'd love 4 categories at 5% but won't really care if the 4% stays or gets grandfathered in. Clothing stores like Calvin Klein didn't even get the 5% 😑☺️😫😠
I wouldn't worry about the Smartly getting nerfed. If they did it would only be to cap the 4% at some generous limit. I highly doubt they would reduce the 4%. If you want both, I would apply for the Smartly, DP's suggest they are wavering on their requirements and allowing anyone in with the Smartly, be it you may get a smaller SLI. Otherwise, yea, if the Cash + isn't doing anything for you, PC it, if allowed. I expect at some point they will offer a SUB for the Smartly.

Good to know, folks are gettting it with 1/12?

I asked in the thread a while ago but saw no responses.

Re: US Bank Gym category....

ElvisCaprice — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 20:43:33 GMT

@Gregory1776 wrote:
Good to know, folks are gettting it with 1/12?
I asked in the thread a while ago but saw no responses.

I've seen data points with people getting it with 3/12. But there is never a guarantee. Far too many variables that are unknown or moving targets between personal and issuer.

Re: US Bank Gym category....

UncleB — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 01:28:10 GMT

@Gregory1776 wrote:
@ElvisCaprice wrote:
I've tried calling US Bank about not getting a 5% category credit vs. 1% catch all and they can't do a thing about it. That's my biggest complaint about the Cash +, it's far too narrow in capturing those MCC's. But in all fairness I'm sure it can be a problem with other CC's as well. Thus my preference with using BofA CCR, category online, via paypal, always captures the category 5.25% reward. Making my US Bank Cash + a sock drawer card.
I called them and asked them about it. They are going to research it, I am crossing my fingers and not expecting anything.
I would've gotten $20 back for my annual gym membership. I'm contemplating open a whole new account for the smartly credit card or just converting this cash plus card to it. I completely expect the 4% unlimited to eventually get Nerfed and having opened a new account, with the hard pull and account age will be annoying if that happens. Plus I am 1/12 and I do not know if people are getting approved for the card with that. I don't want to wait for 0/12.
I'd love 4 categories at 5% but won't really care if the 4% stays or gets grandfathered in. Clothing stores like Calvin Klein didn't even get the 5% 😑☺️😫😠

Did you check to see if some weird MCC was being used by the gym?

With U.S. Bank it's easy to see without even calling... just download your transactions into an Excel spreadsheet. In the memo field there will be a four digit number at the very end (five if you count the leading zero); this is the transaction's MCC. In your case if this is consistent with a gym you definitely have a reason to complain.

Re: US Bank Gym category....

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 23:36:14 GMT

@Gregory1776 wrote:
Clothing stores like Calvin Klein didn't even get the 5% 😑☺️😫😠

That's because the category is select clothing stores, and they list them:

Aeropostale®
Express®
Jos A Bank™
American Eagle Outfitters
Forever 21®
Old Navy
Ann Taylor®
GAP
Talbots®
Banana Republic
J.Crew®
The Limited®
Eddie Bauer®

For most categories they list examples but for this they state:

Keep In Mind

This category includes only the merchants listed below.

Re: US Bank Gym category....

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 23:42:13 GMT

Every card that I have had that has merchant categories has language stating that they go by whatever MCC is reported by the merchant, and that is final. Sometimes that can be to your advantage (e.g. when Charity was a category and my vet codes that way) but probably more often, not. As Apple Fanboy @UncleB says, US Bank makes it very easy to check, after the fact, what MCC was used.

If it wrong (and so the Cash + correctly didn't give 5%) and this is place you plan to use frequently, you COULD ask the merchant to change. The difficulty would be finding someone who understands what you are asking, and then being willing to take the time to do the process to change. Probably not happening.

Re: US Bank Gym category....

Gregory1776 — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 04:20:05 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Gregory1776 wrote:
Clothing stores like Calvin Klein didn't even get the 5% 😑☺️😫😠
That's because the category is select clothing stores, and they list them:

Aeropostale®
Express®
Jos A Bank™
American Eagle Outfitters
Forever 21®
Old Navy
Ann Taylor®
GAP
Talbots®
Banana Republic
J.Crew®
The Limited®
Eddie Bauer®
For most categories they list examples but for this they state:

Keep In Mind
This category includes only the merchants listed below.

You know when you read something and comprehend it and choose to ignore it because that not what you want? thats what happened in October.

Re: US Bank Gym category....

Gregory1776 — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 04:21:24 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Every card that I have had that has merchant categories has language stating that they go by whatever MCC is reported by the merchant, and that is final. Sometimes that can be to your advantage (e.g. when Charity was a category and my vet codes that way) but probably more often, not. As Apple Fanboy @UncleB says, US Bank makes it very easy to check, after the fact, what MCC was used.

If it wrong (and so the Cash + correctly didn't give 5%) and this is place you plan to use frequently, you COULD ask the merchant to change. The difficulty would be finding someone who understands what you are asking, and then being willing to take the time to do the process to change. Probably not happening.

Theyd have to be friends, otherwise it'll be an eyeroll.