MCC 5942 covers BOOK STORES merchants, classified under bookstore. To maximize rewards at these businesses, look for credit cards with broad spending bonuses or bookstore category multipliers. MCC Lookup Tool to find which cards earn bonus rewards here.
Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and local bookstores use MCC 5942. Purchases include new books, used books, and educational materials.
When you swipe your credit card at any of these merchants, the transaction posts as MCC 5942 (book stores). Your card issuer uses this code to determine whether bookstore category bonuses apply — so knowing which merchants trigger this code helps you choose the right card before you spend.
Cardholders often think magazines or newspapers bought at a bookstore count under the same category, but they typically don't.
This distinction matters because different MCC codes can trigger different bonus rates on your credit card, even for similar types of merchants. Always check your transaction statement to confirm which MCC posted — some card issuers allow you to see the MCC in their app or online portal.
MCC 5942 stands for Book Stores. It is a four-digit Merchant Category Code used by payment networks to classify businesses in the bookstore category. Our database tracks 3 merchants with this code.
Merchants classified under MCC 5942 (Book Stores) operate in the bookstore sector. Card networks assign this code during merchant onboarding based on the primary business activity. Examples include Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Half Price Books.
MCC 5942 (Book Stores) is not currently a dedicated bonus category for most major credit cards. For bookstore 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.
Currently, no credit cards in our database have a dedicated bonus category for MCC 5942 (Book Stores). 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 bookstore spending.
MCC 5942 covers 3 merchants in our database, including Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Half Price Books. All purchases at these merchants post as 'Book Stores' and trigger bookstore category bonus rates on eligible credit cards.
Barnes & Noble is classified under MCC 5942 (Book Stores). Most cards do not have a dedicated bonus category for this MCC, so purchases will earn base rewards (typically 1–1.5x). A flat-rate card is the most predictable choice here.