Best Credit Card for Sally Beauty in 2026
Sally Beauty is classified under MCC 5977 (Cosmetic Stores). The best card for Sally Beauty purchases is the Active Cash (no annual fee), earning 2x on cosmetic stores — an effective return of 2.00%.
Cosmetic stores like Sally Beauty are great for credit card rewards because they're in a category that many cards offer enhanced cash back rates. Look for travel or rotating rewards cards to get the most out of your spending.
To maximize rewards, set reminders to make purchases at Sally Beauty during the quarter when it's part of your rotating category for higher cash back rates.
Sally Beauty purchases are classified under MCC 5977 (Cosmetic Stores).
MCC Details for Sally Beauty
Best Credit Cards for Sally Beauty (2026)
How Sally Beauty Codes on Your Statement
When you pay at Sally Beauty at their locations, your card issuer sees MCC 5977 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a cosmetic stores merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "cosmetic stores" purchases, Sally Beauty transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Sally Beauty specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Sally Beauty 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 5977 qualifies for bonus rewards.
Bonus Category Match — Sally Beauty
About MCC 5977: Cosmetic Stores
Merchant Category Code 5977 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Cosmetic Stores industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 5977, all qualifying card programs that include cosmetic stores 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 Cosmetic Stores merchants: Bath & Body Works, MAC Cosmetics, Sephora.
What You Could Earn at Sally Beauty
Spending $200/month at Sally Beauty with the Active Cash (2x on cosmetic stores) 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 Sally Beauty merchants, earning $48/year with no annual fee.