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Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)
Confirmed via network classification
Quick Answer
The Atlantic is classified under MCC 4899 (Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)). The best card for The Atlantic purchases is the Business Gold ($375/yr annual fee), earning 4x on cable and other pay television (previously cable services) — an effective return of 8.00%.
The Atlantic, a pay television service (MCC 4899), is covered under travel and cash-back cards, making it ideal for maximizing rewards if you're an avid subscriber.
Pro Tip
To maximize rewards, sign up for any promotions or discounts offered exclusively through your credit card provider's partnership with The Atlantic.
When you pay at The Atlantic in the app or online, your card issuer sees MCC 4899 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a cable and other pay television (previously cable services) merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "cable and other pay television (previously cable services)" purchases, The Atlantic transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not The Atlantic specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any The Atlantic 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 4899 qualifies for bonus rewards.
About MCC 4899: Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)
Merchant Category Code 4899 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services) industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 4899, all qualifying card programs that include cable and other pay television (previously cable services) as a bonus category will apply the elevated earn rate.
The Utilities 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 Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services) Merchants (MCC 4899)
Spending $200/month at The Atlantic with the Business Gold (4x on cable and other pay television (previously cable services)) earns approximately $96/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. After the $375 annual fee, that is $-279 more per year.
Prefer no annual fee? The Autograph earns 3x at The Atlantic merchants, earning $72/year with no annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What MCC code does The Atlantic use?
The Atlantic uses MCC 4899 (Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)). This code is assigned by card networks and determines which bonus reward categories apply when you pay at The Atlantic.
Which credit card earns the most rewards at The Atlantic?
The Business Gold earns 4x on cable and other pay television (previously cable services) purchases (MCC 4899), making it the highest-earning option at The Atlantic among the cards we track.
Does my card earn bonus rewards at The Atlantic?
It depends on your card's bonus categories. If your card earns bonus rewards on cable and other pay television (previously cable services) purchases, The Atlantic transactions (MCC 4899) will typically qualify. Check your card's terms or app, or call your issuer to confirm.
Is The Atlantic classified as cable and other pay television (previously cable services) for credit card purposes?
Yes. The Atlantic is classified under MCC 4899, which falls in the Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services) category. This means cards with cable and other pay television (previously cable services) bonus categories will apply the elevated earn rate at The Atlantic.
What is MCC 4899 and what merchants use it?
MCC 4899 stands for Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services). It is assigned to businesses that primarily operate in cable, satellite tv, and wireless carriers. Besides The Atlantic, other merchants in the same MCC include similar businesses in the utilities 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: March 16, 2026.
Full methodology: www.pointspick.com/methodology.
