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Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)
Confirmed via network classification
Quick Answer
The Economist is classified under MCC 4899 (Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)). The best card for The Economist 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 Economist falls under the Cable and other pay television MCC (4899), which is covered by cash back cards like the Blue Cash Preferred, making it a great place to earn rewards on your monthly subscription.
Pro Tip
To maximize your rewards, consider signing up for The Economist's annual membership during its promotional period when it might offer additional benefits like bonus content and free merchandise.
When you pay at The Economist 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 Economist transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not The Economist specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any The Economist 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 Economist 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 Economist merchants, earning $72/year with no annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What MCC code does The Economist use?
The Economist 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 Economist.
Which credit card earns the most rewards at The Economist?
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 Economist among the cards we track.
Does my card earn bonus rewards at The Economist?
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 Economist transactions (MCC 4899) will typically qualify. Check your card's terms or app, or call your issuer to confirm.
Is The Economist classified as cable and other pay television (previously cable services) for credit card purposes?
Yes. The Economist 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 Economist.
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 Economist, 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: April 04, 2026.
Full methodology: www.pointspick.com/methodology.
