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YouTube Premium is classified under MCC 5815 (Digital Goods: Media, Books, Movies, Music). The best card for YouTube Premium purchases is the Savor (no annual fee), earning 8x on digital goods: media, books, movies, music — an effective return of 8.00%.
YouTube Premium falls under the Digital Goods category, specifically MCC 5815 for media services. This makes it a prime target for maximizing rewards with cards like Capital One's Savor card, which offers generous earning rates here.
Pro Tip
To boost your rewards even more, consider subscribing to YouTube Premium through a platform that offers bonus points or cashback on top of your credit card's rewards.
When you pay at YouTube Premium in the app or online, your card issuer sees MCC 5815 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a digital goods: media, books, movies, music merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "digital goods: media, books, movies, music" purchases, YouTube Premium transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not YouTube Premium specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any YouTube Premium 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 5815 qualifies for bonus rewards.
About MCC 5815: Digital Goods: Media, Books, Movies, Music
Merchant Category Code 5815 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Digital Goods: Media, Books, Movies, Music industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 5815, all qualifying card programs that include digital goods: media, books, movies, music as a bonus category will apply the elevated earn rate.
The Digital 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 Digital Goods: Media, Books, Movies, Music Merchants (MCC 5815)
Spending $200/month at YouTube Premium with the Savor (8x on digital goods: media, books, movies, music) earns approximately $192/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. That is $168 more per year with no annual fee.
Prefer no annual fee? The Autograph earns 3x at YouTube Premium merchants, earning $72/year with no annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What MCC code does YouTube Premium use?
YouTube Premium uses MCC 5815 (Digital Goods: Media, Books, Movies, Music). This code is assigned by card networks and determines which bonus reward categories apply when you pay at YouTube Premium.
Which credit card earns the most rewards at YouTube Premium?
The Savor earns 8x on digital goods: media, books, movies, music purchases (MCC 5815), making it the highest-earning option at YouTube Premium among the cards we track.
Does my card earn bonus rewards at YouTube Premium?
It depends on your card's bonus categories. If your card earns bonus rewards on digital goods: media, books, movies, music purchases, YouTube Premium transactions (MCC 5815) will typically qualify. Check your card's terms or app, or call your issuer to confirm.
Is YouTube Premium classified as digital goods: media, books, movies, music for credit card purposes?
Yes. YouTube Premium is classified under MCC 5815, which falls in the Digital Goods: Media, Books, Movies, Music category. This means cards with digital goods: media, books, movies, music bonus categories will apply the elevated earn rate at YouTube Premium.
What is MCC 5815 and what merchants use it?
MCC 5815 stands for Digital Goods: Media, Books, Movies, Music. It is assigned to businesses that primarily operate in digital streaming video subscriptions. Besides YouTube Premium, other merchants in the same MCC include similar businesses in the digital 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.
