Best Credit Card for Udemy in 2026
Udemy is classified under MCC 8299 (Schools and Educational Services ( Not Elsewhere Classified)). The best card for Udemy purchases is the Active Cash (no annual fee), earning 2x on schools and educational services ( not elsewhere classified) — an effective return of 2.00%.
Udemy falls under the educational services category (MCC 8299), which is covered by many travel and student credit cards offering enhanced rewards for education-related expenses.
Consider signing up for Udemy's membership plan with a rewards card to get access to unlimited courses at a discounted rate while maximizing your reward points.
Udemy purchases are classified under MCC 8299 (Schools and Educational Services ( Not Elsewhere Classified)).
MCC Details for Udemy
Best Credit Cards for Udemy (2026)
How Udemy Codes on Your Statement
When you pay at Udemy in the app or online, your card issuer sees MCC 8299 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a schools and educational services ( not elsewhere classified) merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "schools and educational services ( not elsewhere classified)" purchases, Udemy transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Udemy specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Udemy 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 8299 qualifies for bonus rewards.
Bonus Category Match — Udemy
About MCC 8299: Schools and Educational Services ( Not Elsewhere Classified)
Merchant Category Code 8299 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Schools and Educational Services ( Not Elsewhere Classified) industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 8299, all qualifying card programs that include schools and educational services ( not elsewhere classified) as a bonus category will apply the elevated earn rate.
The Education 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 Schools and Educational Services ( Not Elsewhere Classified) merchants: Chegg, Coursera, Duolingo.
What You Could Earn at Udemy
Spending $200/month at Udemy with the Active Cash (2x on schools and educational services ( not elsewhere classified)) earns approximately $48/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. That is $24 more per year with no annual fee.
Prefer no annual fee? The Signify Business Cash earns 2x at Udemy merchants, earning $48/year with no annual fee.