Advertiser Disclosure — This site may receive compensation when you click links and apply for credit cards. Compensation may impact which products appear and their placement. We strive to provide accurate information but cannot guarantee all details are current. Full disclosure
Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)
Confirmed via network classification
Quick Answer
CenturyLink is classified under MCC 4899 (Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)). The best card for CenturyLink purchases is the Business Gold ($375/yr annual fee), earning 4x on cable and other pay television (previously cable services) — an effective return of 8.00%.
If you're a CenturyLink customer, your cable bill falls under the Cable Services MCC (Merchant Category Code). The Blue Cash Preferred card is perfect for these expenses as it offers generous rewards in this category.
Pro Tip
To maximize your rewards, consider paying your larger bills like CenturyLink at the beginning of each billing cycle when you first receive your credit card statement.
When you pay at CenturyLink at their locations, your card issuer sees MCC 4899 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a cable and other pay television (previously cable services) merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "cable and other pay television (previously cable services)" purchases, CenturyLink transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not CenturyLink specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any CenturyLink 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 4899 qualifies for bonus rewards.
About MCC 4899: Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)
Merchant Category Code 4899 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services) industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 4899, all qualifying card programs that include cable and other pay television (previously cable services) as a bonus category will apply the elevated earn rate.
The Utilities 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 Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services) Merchants (MCC 4899)
Spending $200/month at CenturyLink with the Business Gold (4x on cable and other pay television (previously cable services)) earns approximately $96/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. After the $375 annual fee, that is $-279 more per year.
Prefer no annual fee? The Autograph earns 3x at CenturyLink merchants, earning $72/year with no annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What MCC code does CenturyLink use?
CenturyLink uses MCC 4899 (Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)). This code is assigned by card networks and determines which bonus reward categories apply when you pay at CenturyLink.
Which credit card earns the most rewards at CenturyLink?
The Business Gold earns 4x on cable and other pay television (previously cable services) purchases (MCC 4899), making it the highest-earning option at CenturyLink among the cards we track.
Does my card earn bonus rewards at CenturyLink?
It depends on your card's bonus categories. If your card earns bonus rewards on cable and other pay television (previously cable services) purchases, CenturyLink transactions (MCC 4899) will typically qualify. Check your card's terms or app, or call your issuer to confirm.
Is CenturyLink classified as cable and other pay television (previously cable services) for credit card purposes?
Yes. CenturyLink is classified under MCC 4899, which falls in the Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services) category. This means cards with cable and other pay television (previously cable services) bonus categories will apply the elevated earn rate at CenturyLink.
What is MCC 4899 and what merchants use it?
MCC 4899 stands for Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services). It is assigned to businesses that primarily operate in cable, satellite tv, and wireless carriers. Besides CenturyLink, other merchants in the same MCC include similar businesses in the utilities industry group.
PointsPick may earn a commission when you apply through our links.
Full disclosure
MCC data based on card network classification standards.
Rankings verified monthly from official card issuer terms.
Last verified: April 04, 2026.
Full methodology: www.pointspick.com/methodology.
