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Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)
Confirmed via network classification
Quick Answer
Wall Street Journal is classified under MCC 4899 (Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)). The best card for Wall Street Journal 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 Wall Street Journal's MCC (Merchant Category Code) is critical for maximizing rewards, especially if you're a finance enthusiast or business professional who subscribes to the WSJ. Premium cards like American Express' Blue Cash Preferred cover this category.
Pro Tip
To maximize your rewards, sign up for the WSJ's digital-only subscription through your reward-eligible credit card to avoid duplicate charges and ensure full points accumulation.
When you pay at Wall Street Journal 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, Wall Street Journal transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Wall Street Journal specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Wall Street Journal 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 Wall Street Journal 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 Wall Street Journal merchants, earning $72/year with no annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What MCC code does Wall Street Journal use?
Wall Street Journal 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 Wall Street Journal.
Which credit card earns the most rewards at Wall Street Journal?
The Business Gold earns 4x on cable and other pay television (previously cable services) purchases (MCC 4899), making it the highest-earning option at Wall Street Journal among the cards we track.
Does my card earn bonus rewards at Wall Street Journal?
It depends on your card's bonus categories. If your card earns bonus rewards on cable and other pay television (previously cable services) purchases, Wall Street Journal transactions (MCC 4899) will typically qualify. Check your card's terms or app, or call your issuer to confirm.
Is Wall Street Journal classified as cable and other pay television (previously cable services) for credit card purposes?
Yes. Wall Street Journal 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 Wall Street Journal.
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 Wall Street Journal, 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.
