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Costco Travel is classified under MCC 4722 (Travel Agencies and Tour Operations). The best card for Costco Travel purchases is the Sapphire Reserve ($795/yr annual fee), earning 10x on travel agencies and tour operations — an effective return of 20.50%.
Costco Travel (MCC 4722) is crucial for credit card rewards because it includes travel bookings, which can earn you big points if your card covers travel spending.
Pro Tip
Maximize your rewards by using Costco Travel to book flights and hotels whenever possible.
When you pay at Costco Travel in the app or online, your card issuer sees MCC 4722 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a travel agencies and tour operations merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "travel agencies and tour operations" purchases, Costco Travel transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Costco Travel specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Costco Travel 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 4722 qualifies for bonus rewards.
About MCC 4722: Travel Agencies and Tour Operations
Merchant Category Code 4722 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Travel Agencies and Tour Operations industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 4722, all qualifying card programs that include travel agencies and tour operations as a bonus category will apply the elevated earn rate.
The Transportation 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 Travel Agencies and Tour Operations Merchants (MCC 4722)
Spending $200/month at Costco Travel with the Sapphire Reserve (10x on travel agencies and tour operations) earns approximately $240/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. After the $795 annual fee, that is $-555 more per year.
Prefer no annual fee? The VentureOne earns 5x at Costco Travel merchants, earning $120/year with no annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What MCC code does Costco Travel use?
Costco Travel uses MCC 4722 (Travel Agencies and Tour Operations). This code is assigned by card networks and determines which bonus reward categories apply when you pay at Costco Travel.
Which credit card earns the most rewards at Costco Travel?
The Sapphire Reserve earns 10x on travel agencies and tour operations purchases (MCC 4722), making it the highest-earning option at Costco Travel among the cards we track.
Does my card earn bonus rewards at Costco Travel?
It depends on your card's bonus categories. If your card earns bonus rewards on travel agencies and tour operations purchases, Costco Travel transactions (MCC 4722) will typically qualify. Check your card's terms or app, or call your issuer to confirm.
Is Costco Travel classified as travel agencies and tour operations for credit card purposes?
Yes. Costco Travel is classified under MCC 4722, which falls in the Travel Agencies and Tour Operations category. This means cards with travel agencies and tour operations bonus categories will apply the elevated earn rate at Costco Travel.
What is MCC 4722 and what merchants use it?
MCC 4722 stands for Travel Agencies and Tour Operations. It is assigned to businesses that primarily operate in online travel agencies. Besides Costco Travel, other merchants in the same MCC include similar businesses in the transportation industry group.
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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.
