Home / MCC Lookup / MCC 3189
MCC Code
3189

MCC 3189: Airlines — Credit Card Bonus Rates

Also classified as:
Visa: “Airlines”
MC: “Airlines”
Quick Answer

MCC 3189 covers AIRLINES merchants, classified under airline. To maximize rewards at these businesses, look for credit cards with broad spending bonuses or airline category multipliers. MCC Lookup Tool to find which cards earn bonus rewards here.

Delta Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines use MCC 3189. Purchases like flights, baggage fees, and seat upgrades are coded here.

Common Confusion

Cardholders often think fuel surcharges for international tickets aren't covered under this code, but they usually are.

Related MCC Codes

3000UNITED AIRLINES 3001AMERICAN AIRLINES 3002PAN AMERICAN 3003Airlines 3004TRANS WORLD AIRLINES 3005BRITISH AIRWAYS 3006JAPAN AIRLINES 3007AIR FRANCE

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MCC code 3189? +

MCC 3189 stands for Airlines. It is a four-digit Merchant Category Code used by payment networks to classify businesses in the airline category.

What types of businesses use MCC 3189? +

Merchants classified under MCC 3189 (Airlines) operate in the airline sector. Card networks assign this code during merchant onboarding based on the primary business activity.

Which credit cards earn bonus rewards at MCC 3189 merchants? +

MCC 3189 (Airlines) is not currently a dedicated bonus category for most major credit cards. For airline spending at these merchants, a flat-rate rewards card (1.5–2% on all purchases) is typically your most reliable option. Use our MCC Lookup Tool to find the best card for any specific merchant.

How many credit cards earn bonus rewards at MCC 3189 merchants? +

Currently, no credit cards in our database have a dedicated bonus category for MCC 3189 (Airlines). Most purchases posting with this code will earn base rewards (typically 1–1.5x on everyday cards). A flat-rate cashback card is the most predictable choice for airline spending.

What merchants are classified under MCC 3189? +

MCC 3189 is assigned to businesses providing airlines services. While this is a less common merchant category, any purchase that posts with code 3189 will be classified as 'Airlines' by your card issuer, which determines whether airline category bonuses apply to that transaction.

What is the difference between MCC 3189 and MCC 3000? +

MCC 3189 (Airlines) and MCC 3000 (UNITED AIRLINES) are both in the airline category but cover distinct merchant types. MCC 3189 is used for airlines businesses, while MCC 3000 is assigned to united airlines merchants. Both may qualify for the same bonus category on your card — check your card's terms or use our MCC Lookup Tool to confirm.

Data verified Mar 2026 · Methodology · Advertiser Disclosure