What Is Considered Travel by Credit Card Issuers?
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Written by
Angela Mae
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Edited by
Jasmin Baron
Many credit card companies offer travel rewards cards, but the definition of “travel” varies by issuer. This can make it confusing to max out the rewards your card offers.
Certain purchases — like airfare, hotels or car rentals — count as travel for most issuers. Some credit card companies will also include things like taxi fare or cruise line fees, while others won’t. In some cases, what’s considered a travel purchase will also vary by card rather than just the issuer.
If you want to maximize your card’s benefits, you need to know how to earn those rewards. Here’s what’s (generally) considered travel for credit cards from major issuers.
What Is a Travel Purchase?
So what is considered a travel purchase? Unfortunately, the answer is a bit nuanced.
Every credit card company has its own way of classifying travel spending. What counts as travel for Chase may be different from what counts as travel for American Express. Just because Bank of America considers motor home rental as travel doesn’t mean Chase will do the same.
On the other hand, the following usually count as travel purchases:
- Hotels
- Car rentals
- Cruise line or ferry tickets
- Airfare
- Bus or train fare
If you don’t know exactly how your issuer defines travel, you could be missing out on rewards or other perks. To make sure you’re getting the most out of your card, here’s what is considered travel for credit cards from major issuers (restrictions may apply):
| Category | Chase | American Express | Capital One | Bank of America | Citi | Discover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airlines | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Hotels/Motels | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Car rentals | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Cruise lines | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Travel Agencies | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Taxis/Limousines | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Ferries | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Parking Lots | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N |
| Trains/Buses | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| In-flight Services | N | N | N | Y | N | N |
| Boat Rentals | N | N | N | Y | N | N |
| Public Campgrounds | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N |
| Timeshare Rentals | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N |
| Gas Stations | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Keep in mind that specific cards from these companies might have their own classifications.
For example, what counts as travel for Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card might differ from what counts for the Capital One Venture X Business card. What counts as travel for The Platinum Card® from American Express could be different from the American Express® Gold Card and so on.
Different cards from the same issuer may have additional categories or specific restrictions on travel purchases. For example, Capital One may require you to book travel through Capital One Travel to earn elevated points. Amex, meanwhile, won’t count airfare if it’s part of a vacation package.
And finally, there are different types of travel cards, including:
- Airline credit cards
- Hotel credit cards
- General travel rewards credit cards
These cards may earn additional rewards when used to make purchases within specific categories. But they might not earn points or miles for making purchases outside of those categories.
How to Understand Merchant Category Codes
Merchant category codes (MCCs) are four-digit numbers that classify businesses based on the service it provides. You can find an example of these codes here. The IRS has required businesses to use MCCs since 2004.
Credit card companies use MCCs to categorize your credit card purchases to determine whether or not you get bonus rewards. Make the right kinds of purchases and you’ll get rewarded.
Payment networks — like Mastercard or Visa — standardize MCCs. This allows them to set the fees merchants pay when accepting a credit card transaction. Every time you make a purchase with your card, the network categorizes it using the relevant MCC. It will then appear on your statement but, perhaps more importantly, your card issuer can use the information to grant rewards for your purchases.
Understanding MCCs and how they work with your particular travel credit card is important. After all, once you know what your issuer considers travel purchases, you’ll be able to earn the most rewards, miles or points.
Here are a couple of common MCCs related to travel:
- 3000 for United Airlines
- 3008 is for Lufthansa
- 3640 for Hyatt Hotels
- 3503 for Sheraton Hotels
- 4121 for limousines, taxis, and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft
- 4722 for travel agencies like Expedia
- 7991 for tourist attractions like museums or botanical gardens
MCCs depend on the merchant rather than the actual purchase or location. For example, you could earn rewards for using your card at a hotel restaurant. But you could also earn rewards from buying a souvenir from that same restaurant. Both purchases could be classified the exact same way by the payment network.
Given this, there’s not a clear definition of what is considered travel purchases. Even if something seems like it should count, it might not. But the inverse is also true. One of the best things you can do to maximize your rewards is reach out your card issuer and ask how they classify each thing.
The Bottom Line
What one credit card company considers travel purchases might be different from another. Even different cards by the same issuer can have different restrictions or definitions of travel purchases. What counts as travel for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card might not be the same for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
It helps to understand the different merchant category codes businesses use as your card issuer uses these to identify your purchases based on category. But if that all sounds complicated, don’t fret. You can always speak with your issuer and ask them your specific questions. Whether you want to know what “lodging” means on a credit card, or you’re unsure of whether or not in-flight purchases count toward your rewards, they should be willing to help.
The information related to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® was collected by CardCritics™ and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardCritics™ does not receive a commission for this product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Knowing what is considered travel for credit cards is one thing, but do you know which purchases count toward travel or how card issuers know when you’re traveling? These answers to some frequently asked questions will help clarify your questions.
What is considered a travel charge on a credit card?
This depends on the card issuer as each company has its own definition of travel. That said, most credit card companies will list what they generally count as travel.
The most commonly accepted types of travel purchases include airfare, accommodations, car rentals, cruise line tickets, travel agency bookings and some forms of public transportation (like passenger trains or rideshare services).
What purchases qualify as travel?
For a purchase to be counted as travel for the purpose of earning rewards, it generally needs to meet the card issuer’s definition of travel. But it also needs to fall under a certain merchant category code.
Food purchased at a hotel restaurant might count as travel, but so might a gift shop souvenir. Even Airbnb may be considered travel for credit cards, meaning you can earn points or rewards when using your card to book a trip.
Some exclusions do apply. For instance, some cards won’t earn rewards for using a third-party travel website to purchase a bundle trip even if that trip included airfare and a car rental. Others will.
How do credit cards know you’re traveling?
When you use your credit card somewhere new — such as in a different state or country — your card issuer will typically receive an online travel notice. You can also notify the company in advance so they’re aware of where you plan to use your card and don’t freeze or flag your account for suspicious activity.
Does gas count as travel?
Gas may count as travel in some cases but not all. For example, Chase doesn’t consider gas travel for most of its credit cards. However, you may earn travel points or rewards using a Bank of America credit card at the gas station.
