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Royal Sonesta is classified under MCC 7011 (Lodging – Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Central Reservation Services (not elsewhere classified)). The best card for Royal Sonesta purchases is the Sapphire Reserve ($795/yr annual fee), earning 10x on lodging – hotels, motels, resorts, central reservation services (not elsewhere classified) — an effective return of 20.50%.
Hotels like Royal Sonesta are a big deal for credit card rewards, especially if you're into travel. Cards in the luxury or travel category typically offer high rewards here.
Pro Tip
Always book through your hotel rewards program or credit card portal to maximize points and perks.
When you pay at Royal Sonesta at their locations, your card issuer sees MCC 7011 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a lodging – hotels, motels, resorts, central reservation services (not elsewhere classified) merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "lodging – hotels, motels, resorts, central reservation services (not elsewhere classified)" purchases, Royal Sonesta transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Royal Sonesta specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Royal Sonesta 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 7011 qualifies for bonus rewards.
About MCC 7011: Lodging – Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Central Reservation Services (not elsewhere classified)
Merchant Category Code 7011 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Lodging – Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Central Reservation Services (not elsewhere classified) industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 7011, all qualifying card programs that include lodging – hotels, motels, resorts, central reservation services (not elsewhere classified) as a bonus category will apply the elevated earn rate.
The Lodging 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 Lodging – Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Central Reservation Services (not elsewhere classified) Merchants (MCC 7011)
Spending $200/month at Royal Sonesta with the Sapphire Reserve (10x on lodging – hotels, motels, resorts, central reservation services (not elsewhere classified)) 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What MCC code does Royal Sonesta use?
Royal Sonesta uses MCC 7011 (Lodging – Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Central Reservation Services (not elsewhere classified)). This code is assigned by card networks and determines which bonus reward categories apply when you pay at Royal Sonesta.
Which credit card earns the most rewards at Royal Sonesta?
The Sapphire Reserve earns 10x on lodging – hotels, motels, resorts, central reservation services (not elsewhere classified) purchases (MCC 7011), making it the highest-earning option at Royal Sonesta among the cards we track.
Does my card earn bonus rewards at Royal Sonesta?
It depends on your card's bonus categories. If your card earns bonus rewards on lodging – hotels, motels, resorts, central reservation services (not elsewhere classified) purchases, Royal Sonesta transactions (MCC 7011) will typically qualify. Check your card's terms or app, or call your issuer to confirm.
Is Royal Sonesta classified as lodging – hotels, motels, resorts, central reservation services (not elsewhere classified) for credit card purposes?
Yes. Royal Sonesta is classified under MCC 7011, which falls in the Lodging – Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Central Reservation Services (not elsewhere classified) category. This means cards with lodging – hotels, motels, resorts, central reservation services (not elsewhere classified) bonus categories will apply the elevated earn rate at Royal Sonesta.
What is MCC 7011 and what merchants use it?
MCC 7011 stands for Lodging – Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Central Reservation Services (not elsewhere classified). It is assigned to businesses that primarily operate in hotel stays (direct bookings get highest rate). Besides Royal Sonesta, other merchants in the same MCC include similar businesses in the lodging 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.
