How it works
When a Merchant Locked Card is issued, it's configured with rules that restrict spending to a particular merchant category. For example, a card locked to dining will only be accepted at restaurants and cafes — it won't work anywhere outside of that category.
This makes Merchant Locked Cards great for things like:
Employee expense cards — so staff can only spend in approved categories
Budget management — keeping specific spending separate and controlled
Gifting — a card loaded for a specific purpose, like dining out or entertainment
What counts as a merchant category?
Merchants are grouped into categories based on the type of business they are. Common examples include:
🍽️ Dining & restaurants
⛽ Fuel & transport
🛒 Groceries
🎬 Entertainment
✈️ Travel
💡 Tip: Not sure what category a merchant falls under? The category is set by the merchant themselves, so a store like a supermarket café may be categorised differently to a standalone restaurant.
⚠️ Heads up: If your card is declined at a merchant you expected to work, it's possible that merchant sits in a different category to the one your card is locked to. Reach out to our support team and we'll take a look.