So now that I've been rolling with my 2 category selections this quarter, TV-Internet-Streaming and Cell Phone Providers, I'm seeing that the charges qualify, so good news there. However, when I try to find any information about what MCC codes US Bank is seeing on their end, I am struggling to find anything. I am only using this card for the 2 merchants that one would expect to qualify under my selected categories, one is a cell phone provider and the other is a local ISP.
In my online dashboard, I can select the card, then select "View Spend Analysis" and get a PDF listing that shows minimal info but with all charges being under the heading "Telecom Svc-Loc-Long Dist". Then I cross reference that with the Visa Supplier Locator tool showing that my internet service provider is likely coding under 4814 - phone services and equipment, which is the same for my cell phone provider. So I can conclude that my internet services are being treated as a phone service and qualify under the cell phone provider category.
To confirm/dispel my conclusion, I called in and spoke to two different CSR's who could not tell me anything about MCC's and cannot see anything above and beyond what is in my statement. They also could not refer me to any other department that might possibly have this information.
So that leaves me with really no other choice other than to test out my findings by switching one of my categories for next quarter. I have to take the gamble, but there's no other way to really know for sure. I'll keep cell phone providers and choose something else, then add it all up and see what qualifies at that point. If both cell phone and internet services are qualifying under cell phones, then that's great, like getting a third category choice for free. Problem with category selection is being locked in for 3 months if you choose incorrectly.
Anyone have any experience with US Bank and their interpretation of MCC's or what might be a better method to confirm qualifying expenses?
I've seen similiar irregularities. My Cash+ is set for Utilities/Internet. I use this for 4 payments: Power, Water, Spectrum Internet and YouTubeTV. (YouTubeTV I'm guessing falls under the Internet category somehow?)
Every single one of these is simply labeled as Bills & Utilities, and has a merchant description, but not an actual MCC code. I'm dropping a couple in to show you what I see....
Since they were all listed as Bills & Utilities, I have considered changing my Internet category to Cell Phone and trying it for a month, just to see if Spectrum and Youtube somehow defaulted to Bills & Utilities still. But then if it didn't I would be out cashback for that month....so I haven't tested it....lol.
On Deck: Possibly Aven 3% Visa
@Kforce wrote:Closed my Cash+ a month ago, so can't screen shot - show you !
However they have a download to csv option and one of the fields is MCC code.
You can then view with text editor or import to excell, etc.
This ^^^.
Open in Excel (or other program) and look at the memo field... the last four digits will be the MCC.
The first transaction was for AT&T Internet service, and has a MCC of 4899 which is used for cable/satellite TV. The second transaction was for landline service, and has the MCC 4814 for telecom services.
Both of these were 'test charges' to see what MCC would be used. I used different dollar amounts on purpose to make it easier to see which (if either) would trigger the cellular phone category (since US Bank no longer shows a break-down on their website like they used to). For what it's worth, the landline charge did qualify.
(Note: I overtyped the reference number in this image with fictitious random digits.)
@UncleB wrote:
@Kforce wrote:Closed my Cash+ a month ago, so can't screen shot - show you !
However they have a download to csv option and one of the fields is MCC code.
You can then view with text editor or import to excell, etc.
This ^^^.
Open in Excel (or other program) and look at the memo field... the last four digits will be the MCC.
The first transaction was for AT&T Internet service, and has a MCC of 4899 which is used for cable/satellite TV. The second transaction was for landline service, and has the MCC 4814 for telecom services. (Both of these were 'test charges' to see what MCC would be used.)
(Note: I overtyped the reference number in this image with fictitious random digits.)
Question, @UncleB!
How did you pay this? With website or app to code like that?
@simplynoir wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
@Kforce wrote:Closed my Cash+ a month ago, so can't screen shot - show you !
However they have a download to csv option and one of the fields is MCC code.
You can then view with text editor or import to excell, etc.
This ^^^.
Open in Excel (or other program) and look at the memo field... the last four digits will be the MCC.
The first transaction was for AT&T Internet service, and has a MCC of 4899 which is used for cable/satellite TV. The second transaction was for landline service, and has the MCC 4814 for telecom services. (Both of these were 'test charges' to see what MCC would be used.)
(Note: I overtyped the reference number in this image with fictitious random digits.)
Question, @UncleB!
How did you pay this? With website or app to code like that?
I usually pay on the app, since I'm often changing up what card is used (gotta make the SUBs, yo). Also, I should have specified that the AT&T Internet service is fixed wireless, which is kinda weird anyway and was the one I was most curious about. Now that I know it has the same MCC as cable/satellite providers I'll probably use my Savor for 4% and "free up" that Cash+ category for something else.
@Anonymous wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
(Note: I overtyped the reference number in this image with fictitious random digits.)
This is dedication above and beyond! Although maybe there are hackers who can find a way to exploit reference numbers...
Haha, I know, right? I'm not extremely paranoid about being doxxed (only standard paranoid), but since the forum rules require folks to redact their own personal info (regardless of how mundane) I figured the least I could do is practice what we're asked to preach. 