Travel agent and tour operator merchant category codes
Travel agents and tour operators use merchant category code 4722. Travel sold through direct marketing, such as telesales holiday clubs, uses 5962. The code tells card issuers the customer is paying for travel that happens later, which shapes how deposits, balances and refunds are handled.
Merchant category codes for travel agents and tour operators
The codes businesses in this sector come across most. Your provider sets the code when your account is opened, based on what you tell them about how you trade.
| Code | Industry | More |
|---|---|---|
| 4722 | Travel agents and tour operators | Travel payment solutions |
| 5962 | Travel arrangements sold by direct marketing | Recurring payments |
| 4121 | Taxis, minicabs and chauffeurs | Travel payment solutions |
| 4131 | Coach and bus lines | Travel payment solutions |
| 4789 | Other transport services | Travel payment solutions |
Deposits and balances
Most holidays are paid in two parts, a deposit at booking and a balance a few weeks before travel. Both should run on the same account, with the balance charged to a stored token or sent as a payment link, so the customer never has to read their card number down the phone twice.
Chargebacks in travel
Cancellations, schedule changes and missed connections make disputes part of the territory. Three things decide whether a travel business wins them. Terms the customer accepted at booking, a confirmation email that repeats those terms, and fast responses when an alert comes in. The account should come with dispute alerts and a person who knows what wins a travel case.
Protection arrangements matter too. ATOL and ABTA membership, or a trust account where they do not apply, show where customer money sits until the trip happens.
Selling through agents and call centres
Many operators sell through a website, a call centre and partner agents at once. A virtual terminal for phone bookings and payment links for agents keep every sale on one account and one settlement report.
Card payments for travel agents and tour operators, opinions from our specialists
Short views from our specialists, published to start a conversation. Agree or disagree, tell them on LinkedIn.
Every travel business should be able to explain its booking window, its protection and its refund terms in three sentences. If you cannot, fix that before you apply for any merchant account, anywhere.
Three sentences is generous. If a customer cannot find your refund terms in one click, expect them to ask their bank instead of you.
What to check in a card payments setup for travel agents and tour operators
Three questions worth asking any provider, and the eCom Pay answer.
One account for every channel
Website, phone, payment links and agents settled together.
Dispute alerts as standard
A warning before a complaint becomes a chargeback, so you can resolve it directly.
No rolling reserve
Settlement the next working day, which keeps supplier payments on time in peak season.
Questions about merchant category codes for travel agents and tour operators
What is the MCC for a travel agent?
Travel agents and tour operators use 4722. Holiday clubs and travel sold by telesales or direct marketing use 5962.
Is a tour operator high risk for card payments?
Many providers treat travel as high risk because customers pay before they travel. Clear terms, protection arrangements and good dispute handling make a tour operator a straightforward account to run.
Can I take a holiday deposit by payment link?
Yes. Send a secure link by email, SMS or WhatsApp and the customer pays on their phone. The deposit settles the next working day with your other takings.
More industry guides
Card payments for travel agents and tour operators, set up properly
Approved in 24 hours once your documents are in, settled the next working day with no rolling reserve, and a UK team on the phone 24/7.