Best Credit Card for Red Lobster in 2026
Red Lobster is classified under MCC 5812 (Eating places and Restaurants). The best card for Red Lobster purchases is the Ink Business Cash (no annual fee), earning 5x on eating places and restaurants — an effective return of 10.25%.
Does Red Lobster accept Mastercard? Yes — Red Lobster accepts Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover at all locations, including in-store and mobile app payments.
Red Lobster, a popular seafood restaurant chain, falls under the MCC category that's crucial for maximizing dining rewards. If you're a fan of seafood and enjoy frequent meals out, this MCC is covered by cards like the Hilton Honors Aspire.
To maximize rewards at Red Lobster, always carry your dining-specific high-earning credit cards and check if there are any current promotions or bonus categories.
Spending Math
If you spend $200 monthly at Red Lobster with the Hilton Honors Aspire card earning 7x points, that's $14.00 in value each month or $168.00 annually. A standard 1% cash back card would only earn you a paltry $24.00 yearly.
Red Lobster purchases are classified under MCC 5812 (Eating places and Restaurants).
MCC Details for Red Lobster
Best Credit Cards for Red Lobster (2026)
How Red Lobster Codes on Your Statement
When you pay at Red Lobster at their locations, your card issuer sees MCC 5812 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a eating places and restaurants merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "eating places and restaurants" purchases, Red Lobster transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Red Lobster specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Red Lobster 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 5812 qualifies for bonus rewards.
Bonus Category Match — Red Lobster
About MCC 5812: Eating places and Restaurants
Merchant Category Code 5812 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Eating places and Restaurants industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 5812, all qualifying card programs that include eating places and restaurants as a bonus category will apply the elevated earn rate.
The Dining 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 Eating places and Restaurants merchants: Acapulco Restaurant, Another Broken Egg, Applebee's.
What You Could Earn at Red Lobster
Spending $200/month at Red Lobster with the Ink Business Cash (5x on eating places and restaurants) earns approximately $120/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. That is $96 more per year with no annual fee.
Prefer no annual fee? The Custom Cash earns 5x at Red Lobster merchants, earning $120/year with no annual fee.