Best Credit Card for Hobby Lobby in 2026
Hobby Lobby is classified under MCC 5945 (Hobby, Toy, and Game Shops). The best card for Hobby Lobby purchases is the Active Cash (no annual fee), earning 2x on hobby, toy, and game shops — an effective return of 2.00%.
Hobby Lobby is a great spot for craft supplies and party decorations. It falls under the general retail category in credit card rewards programs.
Sign up for the Hobby Lobby rewards program to get an extra 5% off your purchases on your birthday and through their mobile app.
Spending Math
If you spend $200 a month at Hobby Lobby, a 2% cash back card would earn you $4 per month ($48 annually), while a basic 1% card would only give you $2 per month ($24 yearly).
Hobby Lobby purchases are classified under MCC 5945 (Hobby, Toy, and Game Shops).
MCC Details for Hobby Lobby
Best Credit Cards for Hobby Lobby (2026)
How Hobby Lobby Codes on Your Statement
When you pay at Hobby Lobby at their locations, your card issuer sees MCC 5945 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a hobby, toy, and game shops merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "hobby, toy, and game shops" purchases, Hobby Lobby transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Hobby Lobby specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Hobby Lobby 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 5945 qualifies for bonus rewards.
Bonus Category Match — Hobby Lobby
About MCC 5945: Hobby, Toy, and Game Shops
Merchant Category Code 5945 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Hobby, Toy, and Game Shops industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 5945, all qualifying card programs that include hobby, toy, and game shops 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 Hobby, Toy, and Game Shops merchants: Jo-Ann Fabrics, JOANN, Michaels.
What You Could Earn at Hobby Lobby
Spending $200/month at Hobby Lobby with the Active Cash (2x on hobby, toy, and game shops) earns approximately $48/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. That is $24 more per year with no annual fee.
Prefer no annual fee? The Signify Business Cash earns 2x at Hobby Lobby merchants, earning $48/year with no annual fee.