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Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)
Confirmed via network classification
Quick Answer
DirecTV Stream is classified under MCC 4899 (Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)). The best card for DirecTV Stream 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%.
The MCC 4899 for DirecTV Stream is crucial because it falls under the Cable and other pay television category, which many premium rewards cards like the Blue Cash Preferred cover.
Pro Tip
To maximize your rewards, sign up for auto-pay with your DirecTV account linked to your Blue Cash Preferred card.
When you pay at DirecTV Stream in the app or online, 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, DirecTV Stream transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not DirecTV Stream specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any DirecTV Stream 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 DirecTV Stream 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 DirecTV Stream merchants, earning $72/year with no annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What MCC code does DirecTV Stream use?
DirecTV Stream 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 DirecTV Stream.
Which credit card earns the most rewards at DirecTV Stream?
The Business Gold earns 4x on cable and other pay television (previously cable services) purchases (MCC 4899), making it the highest-earning option at DirecTV Stream among the cards we track.
Does my card earn bonus rewards at DirecTV Stream?
It depends on your card's bonus categories. If your card earns bonus rewards on cable and other pay television (previously cable services) purchases, DirecTV Stream transactions (MCC 4899) will typically qualify. Check your card's terms or app, or call your issuer to confirm.
Is DirecTV Stream classified as cable and other pay television (previously cable services) for credit card purposes?
Yes. DirecTV Stream 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 DirecTV Stream.
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 DirecTV Stream, other merchants in the same MCC include similar businesses in the utilities 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: March 16, 2026.
Full methodology: www.pointspick.com/methodology.
