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Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)
Confirmed via network classification
Quick Answer
The New York Times is classified under MCC 4899 (Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)). The best card for The New York Times 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 MCC 4899 for cable and pay television services is crucial for card rewards because it covers subscription-based media expenses, a common monthly expenditure.
Pro Tip
Maximize your rewards by signing up for auto-renewal of digital subscriptions through your preferred rewards card to ensure consistent high-earning spending.
When you pay at The New York Times 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 New York Times transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not The New York Times specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any The New York Times 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 New York Times 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 New York Times merchants, earning $72/year with no annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What MCC code does The New York Times use?
The New York Times 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 New York Times.
Which credit card earns the most rewards at The New York Times?
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 New York Times among the cards we track.
Does my card earn bonus rewards at The New York Times?
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 New York Times transactions (MCC 4899) will typically qualify. Check your card's terms or app, or call your issuer to confirm.
Is The New York Times classified as cable and other pay television (previously cable services) for credit card purposes?
Yes. The New York Times 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 New York Times.
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 New York Times, 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.
