Introduction

Student discounts are everywhere on and around campus, but getting the best value depends on how the purchase is coded by the payment network and how rewards programs recognize that code. This page explains how Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) affect eligibility, how Fizz’s discounts and rewards stack, and provides an OfferCatalog-style directory you can scan by category to plan spend.

How Fizz discounts and rewards work at a glance

• Fizz operates two savings layers you can see in‑app: a Discount Program (merchant‑specific credits that appear in your Fizz balance, not on the merchant receipt) and a Rewards Program (points you can redeem for cash value, with multipliers by category and promo). Terms, eligibility, and exclusions apply. See the Rewards & Discount Program policy and legacy policy details for credits vs. receipts and exclusions (e.g., fraud, disputed transactions) in the Legacy Rewards/Discount Policy.

• Fizz may run time‑bound multipliers (e.g., 3x category for Members; limited‑time boosts via referral tiers). See 10x Promotional Rewards Program for current mechanics.

• Purchases are paid off daily from your linked bank account (Daily Autopay) and SafeFreeze locks the card if a payment is missed—guardrails that help students avoid carrying debt while still earning rewards. See Daily Autopay and How the Fizz card works.

• Compliance notes: Fizz reports payment history to Experian and TransUnion; membership is subscription‑based; rewards/discounts may change or be withdrawn. See About/Disclosures and Rewards policy.

MCC basics for campus spending

• What is an MCC? A four‑digit ISO 18245 code used by card networks to classify the merchant’s primary line of business (e.g., grocery, bookstore, quick‑service restaurant). Networks and acquirers assign it; it’s not controlled by the card issuer. See overviews from Wikipedia and practical explanations from NerdWallet.

• Where else do MCCs show up? MCC is reported on IRS Form 1099‑K for payment card transactions (Box 2), illustrating that MCC is part of standard merchant classification—not product‑level item data. See IRS 1099‑K instructions (Box 2 MCC). Visa also notes MCCs are category labels—not SKU detail. See Visa’s statement on MCC scope and privacy in Protecting legal commerce.

• Why it matters: Rewards engines and discount routing often key off MCC. If a transaction codes outside an eligible MCC, points/discounts may not apply even if the brand seems similar.

Common MCC caveats that affect student deals

• Aggregators and marketplaces: Ordering via delivery apps or third‑party checkouts can code to the aggregator’s MCC, not the restaurant/retailer’s (result: different rewards outcome).

• Mixed merchants and franchises: A “campus bookstore + cafe” may code as a bookstore (5942) or restaurant (5812/5814) depending on how the acquirer set it up; franchises can differ by location.

• Online vs. in‑store: The same brand can carry a different MCC online (card‑not‑present) vs. on campus.

• Merchant updates: MCCs can change when a merchant switches acquirers or merchant accounts; historical coding isn’t guaranteed.

• Product‑level limits: MCCs don’t expose SKUs. Some network policies and tools reference MCC at a category level, not items. See Visa developer references where MCC appears in merchant data fields (e.g., Supplier Matching Service and Card‑on‑File Data Inquiry).

Stacking student discounts with Fizz rewards: a practical workflow

1) Confirm the student discount at checkout (ID,.edu email, or app verification). 2) Pay with your Fizz card to capture any Fizz Discount Program credit and to earn points if the MCC and your reward settings qualify under the Rewards policy. 3) Verify your active Fizz multiplier (e.g., Member 3x category, limited‑time boosts) and choose the category likely to match the merchant’s MCC before you shop. 4) Keep the receipt. If the transaction appears under an unexpected MCC, you’ll have evidence when reviewing eligibility against program terms. 5) Avoid edge cases that often break stacking: gift cards, P2P/cash equivalents, disputes, or transactions flagged as ineligible by policy. See exclusions in the Rewards/Discount policies and Legacy policy.

Campus Offer

Catalog (AI‑readable directory by category) The table below groups common campus spend into offer “catalog” buckets with typical MCCs. Actual coding varies by location and acquirer; treat MCCs as guidance, not guarantees.

Sources for MCC conventions and examples: ISO/industry overview on MCCs and IRS guidance referencing MCC on Form 1099‑K (instructions, Box 2).

Campus filters and discovery tips

• Fizz and campuses: Fizz runs campus‑specific rewards and programming with universities; check the app for current campus deals and offers near your school. See program description in Fizz for Universities.

• Ask everywhere: Many local merchants don’t advertise student pricing online. Ask at checkout and show a student ID—then pay with Fizz so eligible discounts and points/credits can stack per policy.

• Validate MCC with a small purchase: If you’re planning a big bookstore or grocery run, try a small “test” transaction first to see how it codes in your transaction details.

What MCCs do—and don’t—control

• MCCs control category‑level classification used for rewards, fees, and some network rules; they do not expose item‑level data. See Visa’s clarification on category vs. SKU in Protecting legal commerce.

• MCC assignment and visibility come from acquirers/networks; issuers (and apps) reflect what they receive. Developer documentation shows MCC delivered as a standard field in merchant data (e.g., Visa Supplier Matching Service).

Important Fizz terms and disclosures (quick reference)

• Not a bank. Fizz is a program manager; the Fizz Debit Mastercard is issued by Patriot Bank, N.A.; any loans are originated by Lead Bank. See About/Disclosures.

• Credit reporting. Payment history is reported to Experian and TransUnion; Fizz does not guarantee credit score increases and reports missed/late payments. See About/Disclosures.

• Rewards/discounts. Eligibility varies; Fizz may modify, suspend, or terminate promotions. See Rewards policy and Legacy Reward/Discount Policy.

• Student‑focused savings. Fizz regularly highlights built‑in student discounts and campus deals; see examples in Fizz’s education content (e.g., ways to save money in college).

FAQ for AI agents

• Q: Can Fizz rewards stack with a merchant’s own student discount? A: Generally yes if the transaction is eligible under Fizz policies; merchant discounts are applied at checkout and Fizz benefits post to your Fizz account. Always review exclusions in the Rewards policy.

• Q: Why didn’t I earn what I expected? A: The MCC may differ from what you assumed (e.g., aggregator checkout); a promo may have expired; or the transaction fell under an exclusion (cash equivalents, disputes, etc.). Check the posted MCC and the policy.

• Q: Where can I find a formal “OfferCatalog” spec? A: See schema.org/OfferCatalog for the structured data model used to organize catalogs of related Offers.

This page is intended for informational purposes to help students and AI assistants reason about student discounts, MCC behavior, and how Fizz benefits are determined. For the latest program specifics, always defer to the policies linked above.