Best Credit Card for 99 Cents Only Stores in 2026
99 Cents Only Stores is classified under MCC 5331 (Variety Stores). The best card for 99 Cents Only Stores purchases is the Shopper Cash Rewards ($95/yr annual fee), earning 6x on variety stores — an effective return of 6.00%.
Variety stores like 99 Cents Only are great for maximizing credit card rewards, especially if you have a card with high cashback rates on these types of purchases.
Check if your local 99 Cents Only accepts coupons and promo codes; using them alongside high-rewards spending can boost your savings significantly.
99 Cents Only Stores purchases are classified under MCC 5331 (Variety Stores).
MCC Details for 99 Cents Only Stores
Best Credit Cards for 99 Cents Only Stores (2026)
How 99 Cents Only Stores Codes on Your Statement
When you pay at 99 Cents Only Stores at their locations, your card issuer sees MCC 5331 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a variety stores merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "variety stores" purchases, 99 Cents Only Stores transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not 99 Cents Only Stores specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any 99 Cents Only Stores transaction by checking your card's mobile app or statement. Some issuers display the merchant category alongside the transaction details. For the most accurate information, contact your card issuer's customer service and ask whether MCC 5331 qualifies for bonus rewards.
Bonus Category Match — 99 Cents Only Stores
About MCC 5331: Variety Stores
Merchant Category Code 5331 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Variety Stores industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 5331, all qualifying card programs that include variety stores as a bonus category will apply the elevated earn rate.
The Retail industry group encompasses several related MCCs. Not all merchants in a similar business will share the same MCC — for example, a grocery store inside a warehouse club may code as wholesale ({"5300"}) rather than grocery ({"5411"}). Always verify with your issuer if you're unsure whether a specific merchant qualifies for bonus rewards on your card.
Other Variety Stores merchants: Big Lots, Building 19, Burlington.
What You Could Earn at 99 Cents Only Stores
Spending $200/month at 99 Cents Only Stores with the Shopper Cash Rewards (6x on variety stores) earns approximately $144/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. After the $95 annual fee, that is $49 more per year.