Credit Cards that Consider MFs "Travel"

[Arimaas]

This may have been covered before, but I am wondering which credit cards consider the Wyndham maintenance fees in the "travel" category? My United Explorer card by Chase counts the MFs as travel, therefore, earning double millage. I will be closing that account soon, however, so looking to see if any other cards offer this as the "travel" category. Anyone try the Costco VISA card by Citibank? They have a 3% travel category.

 

[Jan M.]

Our Costco Citi Visa doesn't classify our maintenance fees as travel.

Someone said they contacted their credit card company, sorry I don't remember which one or who said it, to challege that and got it changed. I've been meaning to call Citi because i figure it doesn't hurt to ask, but haven't done it yet.

A friend has Chase Sapphire and I think they might classify the Wyndham maintenance fees as travel.

 

[chapjim]

Navy Federal Credit Union's Flagship Rewards VISA calls maintenance fees travel and gives triple points.

 

[Arimaas]

Our Costco Citi Visa doesn't classify our maintenance fees as travel.

Someone said they contacted their credit card company, sorry I don't remember which one or who said it, to challege that and got it changed. I've been meaning to call Citi because i figure it doesn't hurt to ask, but haven't done it yet.

A friend has Chase Sapphire and I think they might classify the Wyndham maintenance fees as travel.

Yeah, I get it with the Chase United, so Chase must classify Wyndham timeshares as travel.

 

[Huskerpaul]

Chase Ink Preferred gets 3x on travel and my MF has counted in the past. So does Interval spend. It is a business card, so you need a side hustle.

 

[echino]

Depends on which MCC codes are considered travel by the credit card issuer. For example, here are Visa MCC codes for various maintenance fees:

Hyatt: 7012: Timeshares
Vistana / Westin / Sheraton: 7012: Timeshares
Marriott: 3509: Lodging / Marriott
Hilton: 3504: Lodging / Hilton Hotels

Even though there are separate MCC codes for Haytt / Westin / Sheraton hotels under lodging, the maintenance fees are not charged under those, but instead are charged under "Timeshares". For Marriott and Hilton it's different: maintenance fees are charged under the respective hotel lodging MCC code, not under "Timeshares". Not sure about Wyndham. So if Wyndham is registered as "Timshares" MCC code with Visa or MasterCard merchant network, and your credit card issuer considers "Timeshares" as a travel expense, then you will get the extra points.

 

[Arimaas]

Depends on which MCC codes are considered travel by the credit card issuer. For example, here are Visa MCC codes for various maintenance fees:

Hyatt: 7012: Timeshares
Vistana / Westin / Sheraton: 7012: Timeshares
Marriott: 3509: Lodging / Marriott
Hilton: 3504: Lodging / Hilton Hotels

Even though there are separate MCC codes for Haytt / Westin / Sheraton hotels under lodging, the maintenance fees are not charged under those, but instead are charged under "Timeshares". For Marriott and Hilton it's different: maintenance fees are charged under the respective hotel lodging MCC code, not under "Timeshares". Not sure about Wyndham. So if Wyndham is registered as "Timshares" MCC code with Visa or MasterCard merchant network, and your credit card issuer considers "Timeshares" as a travel expense, then you will get the extra points.

My guess is Wynhdam is coded for timeshare, and Chase considers timeshares travel, becuase ony on my Chase card do I get the travel bonus. My Citi card does not consider it. And the replies to this topic seems to support my hypothesis.

 

[dioxide45]

Depends on which MCC codes are considered travel by the credit card issuer. For example, here are Visa MCC codes for various maintenance fees:

Hyatt: 7012: Timeshares
Vistana / Westin / Sheraton: 7012: Timeshares
Marriott: 3509: Lodging / Marriott
Hilton: 3504: Lodging / Hilton Hotels

Even though there are separate MCC codes for Haytt / Westin / Sheraton hotels under lodging, the maintenance fees are not charged under those, but instead are charged under "Timeshares". For Marriott and Hilton it's different: maintenance fees are charged under the respective hotel lodging MCC code, not under "Timeshares". Not sure about Wyndham. So if Wyndham is registered as "Timshares" MCC code with Visa or MasterCard merchant network, and your credit card issuer considers "Timeshares" as a travel expense, then you will get the extra points.

This is what our Chase Bonvoy card shows for Wyndham.

 

[Arimaas]

This is what our Chase Bonvoy card shows for Wyndham.
View attachment 117714

Thanks. So chase considers timeshares travel.

 

[Sloane S]

Thanks. So chase considers timeshares travel.

Yes, I have always received UR points from Chase with Wyndham maintenance fees regarded as travel (and also counted toward the $300 per year travel credit with the Sapphire Reserve card).

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Chase Sapphire Reserve recorded Vistana under Hotels 4x under their new rules and listed category as "Timeshares" They now officially only count Hotels and Air booked direct.