Best Credit Card for Michaels in 2026
Michaels is classified under MCC 5945 (Hobby, Toy, and Game Shops). The best card for Michaels purchases is the Active Cash (no annual fee), earning 2x on hobby, toy, and game shops — an effective return of 2.00%.
Michaels sells everything from art supplies to party decorations, making it a versatile place for crafters and home decorators. Many travel and rotating category cards include this MCC.
To get the most out of your rewards, keep an eye on rotating bonus categories that include Michaels. Sometimes these offer up to 5% cash back.
Michaels purchases are classified under MCC 5945 (Hobby, Toy, and Game Shops).
MCC Details for Michaels
Best Credit Cards for Michaels (2026)
How Michaels Codes on Your Statement
When you pay at Michaels 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, Michaels transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Michaels specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Michaels 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 — Michaels
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: Hobby Lobby, Jo-Ann Fabrics, JOANN.
What You Could Earn at Michaels
Spending $200/month at Michaels 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 Michaels merchants, earning $48/year with no annual fee.