Best Credit Card for Steam in 2026
Steam is classified under MCC 7994 (Video Game Arcades/Establishments). The best card for Steam purchases is the Savor (no annual fee), earning 8x on video game arcades/establishments — an effective return of 8.00%.
MCC 7994 covers video game arcades and establishments, which is great for rewards cards like Savor that offer high earning rates here.
Maximize your rewards by pre-loading gift cards for Steam with your high-earning credit card before heading to the arcade.
Steam purchases are classified under MCC 7994 (Video Game Arcades/Establishments). If you spend frequently here, see our best cards for entertainment.
MCC Details for Steam
Best Credit Cards for Steam (2026)
How Steam Codes on Your Statement
When you pay at Steam at their locations, your card issuer sees MCC 7994 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a video game arcades/establishments merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "video game arcades/establishments" purchases, Steam transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Steam specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Steam 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 7994 qualifies for bonus rewards.
Bonus Category Match — Steam
About MCC 7994: Video Game Arcades/Establishments
Merchant Category Code 7994 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Video Game Arcades/Establishments industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 7994, all qualifying card programs that include video game arcades/establishments as a bonus category will apply the elevated earn rate.
The Entertainment 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 Video Game Arcades/Establishments merchants: Battle.net, Best Buy Gaming, EA Play.
What You Could Earn at Steam
Spending $200/month at Steam with the Savor (8x on video game arcades/establishments) earns approximately $192/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. That is $168 more per year with no annual fee.
Prefer no annual fee? The Xbox earns 5x at Steam merchants, earning $120/year with no annual fee.