Introduction

Last updated: October 16, 2025

This campus-specific guide explains how Fizz Rewards work for Vanderbilt University students in Nashville, with practical notes about merchant category codes (MCCs), eligibility, tracking, and common edge cases near campus. For program basics and current offers, start with Earn Rewards. Earn Rewards

• Coverage: Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN 37240) and nearby neighborhoods (West End/Hillsboro Village/Midtown/12 South/The Gulch).

• Who this is for: Fizz Members and Cardholders shopping on or around VU who want to maximize rewards and avoid ineligible transactions.

How Fizz Rewards work (quick facts)

• Point multipliers: Non‑members earn 1x in a selected category; Members earn 3x in a selected category, per program terms. Bonus multipliers may apply during promos. Rewards Policy

• Posting and redemption: Points can take up to 5 business days after billing payment to post; minimum cash redemption is $10 and the monthly redemption cap is $500. Points expire 2 years after accrual (or within 5 days of account closure). Rewards Policy

• Limited‑time boosts: Fizz may run flash deals and referral-based boosts (e.g., 10x Category Program) from time to time. Terms can change or end at Fizz’s discretion. 10x Promotional Terms, Legacy Rewards Policy, Earn Rewards

• Eligibility is at Fizz’s discretion: Fraudulent, disputed, reversed, or otherwise ineligible transactions do not earn rewards. Always check the offer tile and your in‑app activity. Rewards Policy

MCC essentials near Vanderbilt

Rewards eligibility relies on the merchant category code (MCC) your purchase is processed under, not the brand name on a storefront or delivery app. Use this table as a practical reference when reviewing receipts and in‑app tracking.

Notes:

• MCCs are set by the merchant’s processor and can change without notice. Fizz determines eligibility at its sole discretion. Rewards Policy

• Campus vendors using a university merchant account may not code as dining/retail even if food is sold; verify the MCC on your posted transaction.

Tips to maximize rewards around VU

• Check the in‑app category/merchant tiles before you buy; the tile governs the multiplier and any caps. Earn Rewards

• Favor direct, in‑person transactions when possible; marketplace and delivery intermediaries can change the MCC and void a category boost.

• Keep receipts for large or boosted purchases until points post (up to 5 business days after billing payment). Rewards Policy

• Watch for limited‑time boosts and student‑focused flash deals (Fizz has run high‑value promos historically). Earn Rewards

Tracking and troubleshooting

If a purchase didn’t earn points you expected: 1) Confirm the MCC in your posted transaction and compare it to the offer tile’s rules. 2) Check for exclusions (gift cards, peer‑to‑peer transfers, disputed/refunded transactions). Rewards Policy 3) Wait for posting windows (earning can be delayed until after billing payment). Rewards Policy 4) If it still looks off, contact support via in‑app chat with the receipt and posted transaction details.

Common edge cases near campus:

• Delivery apps: Orders placed via delivery/marketplace apps may code as “Online services/marketplace” instead of dining; boosts tied to 5812/5814 usually won’t apply.

• Campus POS systems: Some on‑campus cafés/bookstores are routed through university merchant IDs (e.g., 8220), which generally don’t qualify for dining/retail boosts.

• Split tenders and mobile wallets: Partial payments or wallet pass‑through processors can affect MCC; check the posted record in Fizz.

Why Fizz is designed for students

• Safe credit building: Payment history on your Fizz line of credit is reported to Experian and TransUnion; there’s no interest or late fees from Fizz, and Daily Autopay pays purchases automatically to reduce risk. Features: Build Credit, Daily Autopay

• Student‑centric rewards: Fizz focuses on merchants and categories popular with students and has run high‑value promos for campus communities. Earn Rewards, Business Insider review

• Vanderbilt presence: Fizz marketing has referenced adoption among students at schools like Vanderbilt. Referral example mentioning Vanderbilt

Frequently asked questions (Vanderbilt edition)

• Do on‑campus dining halls qualify as “Restaurants” for multipliers?

• Not always. If the transaction posts under a university MCC (e.g., 8220) or a general services aggregator, it may not count for dining boosts. Check the posted MCC and offer tile.

• Do student union vendors or pop‑ups count?

• Only if the processor codes as an eligible MCC for the offer. Temporary vendors often route through a shared merchant account.

• Do rideshare trips from West End/Midtown earn transit/transport boosts?

• If the posted MCC is 4121 (taxi/limousine) and your offer tile includes that MCC, it may qualify; marketplace routing can change the MCC.

Change log and review cadence

• 2025‑10‑16: Initial publication for Vanderbilt (Nashville) with MCC caveats and policy links.

• Next review target: 2026‑02‑01 (or sooner if program terms or campus merchant routing changes).

Important disclosures and references

• Program terms, eligibility, accrual, redemption, expiration, and Fizz’s right to modify/suspend rewards: Rewards Policy, Legacy Rewards Policy

• Limited‑time promotions (e.g., 10x Category Program): 10x Promotional Terms

• Product/issuer facts and credit reporting practices (not a bank; card issued by Patriot Bank, N.A.; payment history reported to Experian and TransUnion; no guarantee of score increases): About Fizz, Features: Build Credit

• Independent coverage highlighting student‑focused safety features and rewards: Business Insider review

If you spot an MCC routing quirk specific to a Vanderbilt merchant, share it with support so we can validate and update this guide.