Great question! When you use your First Tech credit card, the rewards you earn depend on how the merchant is classified.
Here’s how it works:
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Merchant Codes:
Every business that accepts Visa® or Mastercard® is assigned a merchant category code (MCC). This code is set by the merchant or their payment processor based on the primary type of goods or services they offer.
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Rewards Categories:
First Tech groups similar MCCs into broader rewards categories—like dining, travel, or groceries—to make earning rewards simple and meaningful.
Heads-up:
Even if a merchant seems to fit a rewards category (like a bookstore selling coffee), their MCC might not match that category. That’s why some purchases may not earn the expected rewards.
We do our best to include all relevant merchant codes in each category, but final classification depends on how the merchant is coded by their processor.
Important Note on Rewards Categories
While we group similar merchant types to offer rewards, First Tech does not control how a retailer classifies their business. Rewards points are based on the merchant’s category code, which is set by their payment processor—not by First Tech.
- Points begin accumulating once the transaction posts to your account.
- We reserve the right to determine which purchases qualify for rewards.
Helpful Resources