Train ticket retailer charged my transaction under the MCC code of taxi / limousine

miklcct

I bought a train ticket recently from Uber Travel with my Chase debit card, expecting to get 1% cashback, but it registered as non-eligible. I queried the bank and it replied that the transaction was submitted under the code of taxicabs and limousine.

I then contacted Uber customer support, both the main one and the one with Uber Travel (which Omio operates and is known to be rubbish) and one says that they have no control of the code, another has no idea what I was talking about.

Is there any recourse on the consumer side to get the code corrected, so I would receive cashback in the future? I will soon have to buy an expensive ticket and would like to make sure that it is right before I put it on my card.

Olinda99

I am guessing Uber being a 'taxi' company then everything you buy from them would be under this code

TheSpectator

Slightly off tangent but why do people use 3rd parties instead of booking direct, you would have probably got your cashback that way.

Olenna

TheSpectator said:

Slightly off tangent but why do people use 3rd parties instead of booking direct, you would have probably got your cashback that way.

Uber have run promotions in the past (loss leaders) to promote their rail ticket option.
I personally book direct as it's easier to get delay repay and also sometimes change fixed tickets (e.g. Lumo)

miklcct

TheSpectator said:

Slightly off tangent but why do people use 3rd parties instead of booking direct, you would have probably got your cashback that way.

The only reason for me to use Uber is because it offers 5% credit for train bookings, which can then be used for future train bookings / takeaways / etc.

It is well known that Uber's train ticketing is defective, can't sell a lot of things, and has extremely poor booking experience and customer service. However, 5% cashback is enough for me to use a poor retailer as the product obtained is identical.

TheBanker

miklcct said:

TheSpectator said:

Slightly off tangent but why do people use 3rd parties instead of booking direct, you would have probably got your cashback that way.

The only reason for me to use Uber is because it offers 5% credit for train bookings, which can then be used for future train bookings / takeaways / etc.

It is well known that Uber's train ticketing is defective, can't sell a lot of things, and has extremely poor booking experience and customer service. However, 5% cashback is enough for me to use a poor retailer as the product obtained is identical.

If you have a credit or debit card that gives cashback at particular retailers (e.g. the Natwest Reward Account or the Virgin Money account), they often have 5% cashback promotions for LNER but you get the Cashback regardless of which train company you're travelling with. 

It's not really a surprise that Uber are using the same (taxi) MCC for the additional services they offer. Probably don't want the cost or hassle of setting up a different set of accounts. 

Grumpy_chap

By booking via the Uber platform, the OP has 5% credit which beats the 1% cashback from the CC if booking direct with the train operator.  The OP is up by 4% so sounds like a win.

Many retailers operated with single merchant code and there seems to be little benefit to the retailers to do otherwise.  The issue was discussed in a recent thread about gift card purchases being categorised as cash advance at some retailers but groceries at others.

MikeyPGT

Olinda99 said:

I am guessing Uber being a 'taxi' company then everything you buy from them would be under this code

I think you are probably right - I've discovered that if I use PayPoint at my local store Chase thinks it's a grocery purchase ...

phillw

miklcct said:

 I will soon have to buy an expensive ticket and would like to make sure that it is right before I put it on my card.

I'd weigh up the amount of time and effort you want to put into it. But I can't see that taxis and excluded from chases cash back t&c and I don't see that the MCC code is referenced at all regardless, just that you get cashback for buying certain things.

So you could do it, then make a complaint that their terms aren't clear. They might give you "go away money" and that would be the end of it

Though if they look and see you've already queried it, then they might think you should have known better.

miklcct

phillw said:

miklcct said:

 I will soon have to buy an expensive ticket and would like to make sure that it is right before I put it on my card.

I'd weigh up the amount of time and effort you want to put into it. But I can't see that taxis and excluded from chases cash back t&c and I don't see that the MCC code is referenced at all regardless, just that you get cashback for buying certain things.

So you could do it, then make a complaint that their terms aren't clear. They might give you "go away money" and that would be the end of it

Though if they look and see you've already queried it, then they might think you should have known better.

Chase T&C specifically exclude taxis and flights from the cashback eligible transport spending.

miklcct

TheBanker said:

miklcct said:

TheSpectator said:

Slightly off tangent but why do people use 3rd parties instead of booking direct, you would have probably got your cashback that way.

The only reason for me to use Uber is because it offers 5% credit for train bookings, which can then be used for future train bookings / takeaways / etc.

It is well known that Uber's train ticketing is defective, can't sell a lot of things, and has extremely poor booking experience and customer service. However, 5% cashback is enough for me to use a poor retailer as the product obtained is identical.

If you have a credit or debit card that gives cashback at particular retailers (e.g. the Natwest Reward Account or the Virgin Money account), they often have 5% cashback promotions for LNER but you get the Cashback regardless of which train company you're travelling with. 

It's not really a surprise that Uber are using the same (taxi) MCC for the additional services they offer. Probably don't want the cost or hassle of setting up a different set of accounts. 

I don't have these cards and I am not going to apply for any new credit cards soon, as I plan to buy a home in the coming months so I don't want to harm my credit rating.