MCC 7273 — Dating services
MCC 7273 is the merchant category code for dating services. It's classified as severe risk, priced in the High-Risk Services interchange group, and held to a chargeback threshold of 0.9% (Visa/MC).
7273
Severe risk
High-Risk Services
0.9% (Visa/MC)
What is MCC 7273?
MCC 7273 is the four-digit merchant category code that Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover use to classify dating services. Merchant classification for Dating services. The acquiring bank assigns it when it approves your merchant account, and from that point it drives your interchange pricing, your default chargeback thresholds, and whether your account is flagged for enhanced monitoring. Booking under the correct MCC from day one is part of what a specialized high-risk merchant account provider does that a generic flat-rate aggregator often skips. Check the payments glossary for the terms behind each field, or browse the full MCC directory to compare classifications.
Is Dating services high risk?
Yes. MCC 7273 (dating services) is classified as severe risk. Card networks watch this category closely and most generic aggregators — Stripe, Square, PayPal — decline or freeze it. You'll typically need a dedicated high-risk merchant account with an acquiring bank that underwrites the vertical directly.
How we underwrite high-risk accountsSubject to severe compliance scrutiny and mandatory bank reserves.
Deploy strict age verification API gateways and detailed checkout logs.
What else falls under High-Risk Verticals?
MCC 7273 sits within the High-Risk Verticals group, which spans 38 classifications. Businesses that get boarded here often also match one of these adjacent codes:
How to get a merchant account for MCC 7273
Whether you're a new business, scaling your volume, or switching processors after a decline, approval under MCC 7273 follows the same four steps — human underwriting, a dedicated MID, and chargeback monitoring built in. Here's why merchants choose Gray Merchants to board this classification.
Apply in minutes
Tell us about your business and volume. We confirm MCC 7273 is the right classification for what you sell.
Underwriting review
A human underwriter reviews your documents and history — no black-box scoring, a decision typically inside 24–48 hours.
Written terms
You see every rate, reserve, and account term in writing before you sign. $0 setup fee, dedicated MID.
Go live
Connect your gateway and start processing, with chargeback monitoring in place from day one.
MCC 7273 questions
What is MCC 7273?
MCC 7273 is the four-digit merchant category code card networks assign to dating services. Merchant classification for Dating services. It determines the interchange pricing, risk tier, and chargeback thresholds your merchant account is held to.
Is Dating services considered high risk?
Yes. MCC 7273 (dating services) is classified as severe risk. Card networks watch this category closely and most generic aggregators — Stripe, Square, PayPal — decline or freeze it. You'll typically need a dedicated high-risk merchant account with an acquiring bank that underwrites the vertical directly.
What chargeback threshold applies to MCC 7273?
The working threshold for MCC 7273 is 0.9% (Visa/MC). Crossing it repeatedly can push an account into a card-network monitoring program, so accounts in this category are underwritten with that ceiling in mind.
Can I get a merchant account under MCC 7273?
Yes. Gray Merchants boards dating services through acquiring banks that underwrite this classification directly, with a dedicated MID, written terms before you sign, and a $0 setup fee. Apply and a specialist prepares your quote.
How do I reduce chargebacks under MCC 7273?
Deploy strict age verification API gateways and detailed checkout logs.
MCC codes similar to 7273
Not sure which classification fits? Compare the closest codes, or talk to a specialist and we'll confirm the right MCC for your business.