> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.pexcard.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Understanding merchant categories

> Understand how PEX groups Visa and Mastercard merchant category codes (MCCs) into 13 PEX Merchant Categories to help you track and control spending.

Visa® and Mastercard® have established Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) that they assign to the many different kinds of establishments that accept their cards, e.g.:

* \#7210, Laundry, Cleaning and Garment Services
* \#7211, Laundries Services - Family and Commercial
* \#7216, Dry Cleaners
* \#7217, Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning

To help Administrators capture and track spending, PEX has bundled hundreds of individual Visa and Mastercard Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) into "**PEX Merchant Categories**" that are comprised of similar or related kinds of businesses.

* "Travel & Transportation," includes more than 600 Travel-and Transportation-related individual MCCs, e.g.:
  * **Airlines:** #3000, United; #3001 American, et al.
  * **Rental Cars:** #3387, Alamo; #3389 Avis, et al.
  * **Hotels:** #3504, Hilton; #3509, Marriott, et al.
  * **General Travel & Transportation:** #4121, Taxicabs and Limousines; #4784, Tolls and Bridge Fees, et al.

The 13 PEX Merchant Categories, with representative examples of the types of merchants included in each Category, are:

1. **Associations & Organizations**: Religious organizations, Local and Federal government services, Post Office
2. **Automotive Dealers**: Car dealers, recreational vehicle dealers, farm equipment dealers
3. **Educational Services**: Colleges, as well as business, trade, and grammar schools
4. **Entertainment**: Movies, golf, bowling, sports clubs, amusement parks
5. **Fuel pumps Only**: "Pay at the pump" at gas stations
6. **Fuel & convenience stores**: Gas station stores and other convenience stores
7. **Grocery Stores**: Food stores, bakeries, candy stores
8. **Hardware Stores**: Hardware, building supplies, construction materials, paint stores, industrial equipment merchants
9. **Healthcare & Childcare Services**: Doctors, dentists, hospitals, medical services, elder care, child care
10. **Professional Services**: Contractors, heating, plumbing, HVAC, utilities, freight, cleaning services, printing, couriers, exterminators, repair shops, legal services
11. **Restaurants**: Fast food and sit-down restaurants
12. **Retail Stores**: Clothing stores, office supply stores, department stores, book stores, furniture stores, electronics stores
13. **Travel & Transportation**: Airlines, hotels, rental cars, tolls, buses, railroads, taxis

Custom Merchant Categories are also available with [selected plans](https://www.pexcard.com/pricing?utm_source=support). Please see "[Managing Custom Merchant Categories](/administrator-guide/managing-custom-merchant-categories)."

## How to Find Merchant Categories

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Click on the "Business Settings" tab
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click on "Merchant categories" tab in the Business Settings page

    * The 13 default PEX Merchant Categories are indicated with a PEX logo on the left
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click on the name of the PEX Merchant Category to see the MCCs that are included in that Category. For example, *Grocery Stores* includes *Candy, Nut and Confectionery Stores*, *Bakeries*, and *Caterers*

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/pextest/X5Ms2yb8xIcwJOtB/images/administrator-guide/image-198.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=X5Ms2yb8xIcwJOtB&q=85&s=6a08333984296bb7dc0a428866e421bd" alt="" width="1892" height="1388" data-path="images/administrator-guide/image-198.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>