topic Re: Merchant Coding Questions - Visa/MC vs. Discover vs. AmEx in Credit Cards

Merchant Coding Questions - Visa/MC vs. Discover vs. AmEx

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 18:47:03 GMT

I have a few questions about merchant coding. I've heard that Discover and AmEx are both coded differently from Visa/MC. So my questions are these:

1) Considering getting BCP some time next year, but we primarily shop at a Walmart for groceries, which I've heard is coded sometimes as a discount store/warehouse. The WM I go to is coded for my Visa as a Grocery Store. Can I expect the same for an AmEx? (if not, it's not worth getting the card)

2) The caterer for my wedding reception (in January) also is a restaurant. When I paid for the deposit, I paid using my Chase Amazon Visa and got the 2% back for a restaurant. Since the Discover More 5% for Q1 is for restaurants, I would obviously love to get 5% back on my catering. Since it's coded a restaurant for Visa, can I expect it to also be coded as a restaurant for Discover?

Re: Merchant Coding Questions - Visa/MC vs. Discover vs. AmEx

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 18:54:47 GMT

1) No. Regardless of how the Walmart is reporting to Visa/MC, it will not report as a grocery store to amex. You will not get the 6% from BCP there.

2) Should be

Re: Merchant Coding Questions - Visa/MC vs. Discover vs. AmEx

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 18:56:03 GMT

That's pretty much what I figured the answer would be for both questions, but it's good to have some confirmation. Thanks!

Re: Merchant Coding Questions - Visa/MC vs. Discover vs. AmEx

martinkk — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 20:27:37 GMT

In my area, we have Wal-Mart SuperCenters, but we also have Wal-Mart Neighborhood Markets. The Neighborhood Markets are just grocery stores, like a Kroger. In my case, the two store are less than a 1/2 mile apart, Does anyone know if the Neighborhood Market would be coded as grocery? If so, It would serve me well to apply.

Re: Merchant Coding Questions - Visa/MC vs. Discover vs. AmEx

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 07:51:50 GMT

@martinkk

Everytime I've used my BCP at a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market, it lists the transaction as "Merchandise and Supplies - Groceries"

Re: Merchant Coding Questions - Visa/MC vs. Discover vs. AmEx

trumpet-205 — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 21:12:53 GMT

Walmart coding depends on what Walmart we are talking about.

For Walmart Neighborhood Market, it will code as grocery. All other Walmart code as discount store.

Re: Merchant Coding Questions - Visa/MC vs. Discover vs. AmEx

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 06:36:47 GMT

@trumpet-205 wrote:
Walmart coding depends on what Walmart we are talking about.

For Walmart Neighborhood Market, it will code as grocery. All other Walmart code as discount store.

No it won't. My walmart is a Supercenter and still counts as a grocery store.(with Visa/MC).

You can check your store here: http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/usa/supplier/ListLoadAction.do

Re: Merchant Coding Questions - Visa/MC vs. Discover vs. AmEx

Involus — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 06:44:14 GMT

I believe he was talking about Amex as with Amex it codes as a discount store.