Best Credit Card for Shutterstock in 2026
Shutterstock is classified under MCC 5818 (Digital Goods: Large Digital Goods Merchant). The best card for Shutterstock purchases is the Sapphire Preferred ($95/yr annual fee), earning 3x on digital goods: large digital goods merchant — an effective return of 6.15%.
Shutterstock, a large digital goods merchant, is crucial for creatives and businesses seeking image and video assets. The Blue Cash Preferred card category rewards big with 6x points here.
To maximize your Shutterstock rewards, consider setting up subscriptions or bulk purchases during sales to hit that 6x points threshold.
Spending Math
If you spend $200/month at Shutterstock, the Blue Cash Preferred will earn you $144/year versus just $24/year on a 1% cash back card.
Shutterstock purchases are classified under MCC 5818 (Digital Goods: Large Digital Goods Merchant). If you spend frequently here, see our best cards for digital.
MCC Details for Shutterstock
Best Credit Cards for Shutterstock (2026)
How Shutterstock Codes on Your Statement
When you pay at Shutterstock in the app or online, your card issuer sees MCC 5818 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a digital goods: large digital goods merchant merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "digital goods: large digital goods merchant" purchases, Shutterstock transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Shutterstock specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Shutterstock 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 5818 qualifies for bonus rewards.
Bonus Category Match — Shutterstock
About MCC 5818: Digital Goods: Large Digital Goods Merchant
Merchant Category Code 5818 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Digital Goods: Large Digital Goods Merchant industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 5818, all qualifying card programs that include digital goods: large digital goods merchant as a bonus category will apply the elevated earn rate.
The Digital 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 Digital Goods: Large Digital Goods Merchant merchants: Adobe Creative Cloud, Getty Images.
What You Could Earn at Shutterstock
Spending $200/month at Shutterstock with the Sapphire Preferred (3x on digital goods: large digital goods merchant) earns approximately $72/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. After the $95 annual fee, that is $-23 more per year.
Prefer no annual fee? The Autograph earns 3x at Shutterstock merchants, earning $72/year with no annual fee.