Best cards for streaming service subscriptions in November 2024
Streaming services have become an increasingly popular spending category, so we have compiled a list of the best credit cards for streaming services to help you maximize your spending. Streaming services have become an integral part of daily life, and many cards have begun offering them as a bonus category (or added discounts and statement credits with select providers).
Our guide features the top cards that offer elevated cash-back rates, bonus rewards points and exclusive perks for streaming services. So whether you’re a movie buff or a music lover, our guide is designed to help you make the most of your streaming experiences. Dive in to discover the best credit card for streaming that suits your needs.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for earning travel points
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for streaming service enthusiasts
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for no annual fee
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for entertainment statement credits
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for a simple earning structure
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card: Best for no annual fee travel card
Best for earning travel points
| 5x | 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. |
| 3x | 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. |
| 2x | 2x on all other travel purchases. |
| 1x | 1x on all other purchases. |
Year after year, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card wins at the TPG Awards for Best Travel Rewards Card. In exchange for a $95 annual fee, you’ll gain access to the incredible Ultimate Rewards program — unleashing tons of potential value for award travel. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Pros
- Earn multiple points per dollar on things like travel and dining
- The current welcome bonus on this card is quite generous
- Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance and lost luggage insurance
Cons
- The card comes with a $95 annual fee
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- Member FDIC
Best for streaming service enthusiasts
| 6% | 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) |
| 6% | 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions |
| 3% | 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more |
| 3% | 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations |
| 1% | 1% Cash Back on other purchases |
If you’re spending hundreds (or thousands) on supermarkets, gas in the U.S. and more each month, the Blue Cash Preferred is the perfect card to maximize those purchases for pure cash. Read our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred.
Pros
- This card has one of the best earning structures out there for cash-back credit cards
- The card does come with access to Amex Offers (enrollment required), which can save you even more money on specific purchases
Cons
- There is a $6,000 spending cap on the U.S. supermarket bonus category, which may not work for those with large grocery budgets
- You’ll have to pay a foreign transaction fee on international purchases, so it’s not a great choice when you’re traveling abroad
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
- Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 18.49% - 29.49%.
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
- 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Best for no annual fee
| 8% | 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases |
| 5% | 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) |
| 3% | 3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services |
| 1% | 1% Cash Back on all other purchases |
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card serves as a great introduction to the world of rewards credit cards. For starters, there’s no annual fee, so you’ll rest easy knowing that you’re at an automatic net positive by opening this card. From there, earn 3% on four popular everyday spending categories, redeeming for valuable cash-back rewards back in your pocket. Read our full review of the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- Earning 3% back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores, like Walmart® and Target®) is a great return for a no-annual-fee credit card
- This card is great for beginners
- The intro APR offer that comes with this card makes it a solid choice for those looking to finance a large purchase
Cons
- If you spend a lot on dining and entertainment each year, there are cards that provide better value with higher rewards potential
- The sign-up bonus isn’t anything to write home about (though it is easy to earn)
- For a limited time, earn a $250 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.74% - 29.74% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
Best for entertainment statement credits
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. |
The Amex Platinum card is not just a symbol of luxury. It comes with an immense number of travel, entertainment, wellness and retail benefits making it a versatile card option that boasts more than $1,400 in potential value. Read our full review of the American Express Platinum Card.
Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, an assortment of annual statement credits (enrollment is required)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.¤
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Best for a simple earning structure
| 5 Miles | 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2 Miles | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
The Capital One Venture Rewards Card is a great choice for beginners and experts looking for an easy way to earn miles without having to manage rotating bonus categories. Capital One miles are currently valued higher than most and can be transferred to a decent amount of partners. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- This flexible rewards card delivers a solid sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months
- You'll earn 2x on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards earned are versatile as they can be redeemed for any hotel or airline purchase for a statement credit or transferred to 15+ travel partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- Capital One airline partners do not include any large U.S. airlines.
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Best for no annual fee travel card
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
| 4X | 4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery. |
| 2X | 2X points on streaming services and at grocery stores (excludes discount stores and wholesale clubs effective September 9, 2024). |
| 2X | 2X points at gas stations and EV charging stations (excludes discount stores and wholesale clubs effective September 9, 2024). |
| 1X | 1X point on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- No annual fee
- Multiple bonus categories
- Offers a welcome bonus
Cons
- Minimum redemption requirement
- Charges a foreign transaction fee
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card comes packed with multiple bonus categories and a welcome bonus all for no annual fee. This card offers a healthy 4 points per dollar spent on dining, takeout and delivery, 2 points per dollar spent at grocery stores, gas stations/EV charging station and on streaming and a minimum of 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Comparing the best cards for streaming service subscriptions
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Chase's secure site | earning travel points | 60,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. | 1 - 5X points | $95 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at American Express's secure site | streaming service enthusiasts | Earn $250 Open Intro bonus Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. | 1 - 6% cash-back | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Capital One's secure site | no annual fee | $250 Cash Back Open Intro bonus $250 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening | 1 - 8% cash-back | $0 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at American Express's secure site | entertainment statement credits | Earn 80,000 points Open Intro bonus Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | 5X points | $695 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Capital One's secure site | a simple earning structure | 75,000 miles Open Intro bonus 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening | 2 - 5X miles | $95 |
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card * *The information about the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card has been collected independently by ThePointsGuy.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer. Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Information updated as of 09/24/2024 | no annual fee travel card | 20,000 points Open Intro bonus Earn 20,000 bonus points. Just spend $1,000 in eligible Net Purchases in the first 90 days. | 1 - 4X points | $0 |
More details on the best streaming credit cards
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards on the market. Offering an excellent return on travel, dining, and streaming purchases, the card packs a ton of value that easily offsets its $95 annual fee. Cardholders can earn 3 points per dollar spent on select streaming services, which they can redeem for travel through Chase’s travel portal or transfer to hotel and airline partners.
This is a great choice for anyone who wants to earn bonus travel rewards on their streaming purchases, since it earns 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on popular streaming services. You can redeem these points for travel, worth 1.25 cents apiece through Chase’s travel portal or even more when you transfer them to Chase’s transfer partners, according to our valuations.
"The Chase Sapphire Preferred has remained a top card in my wallet for years. Between the consistently strong sign-up bonus, low annual fee and continual improvements that have been made over the years, it's hard for any other mid-tier rewards card to compare. I love that I can earn bonus rewards on travel, dining, streaming and online grocery purchases — all with just one card. Plus, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are valuable and easy to use whether you're new to points and miles or an expert." - Madison Blancaflor, managing editor
Those who want flexible travel rewards may prefer the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. It comes with the same $95 annual fee (see rates and fees) and earns a flat 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, including streaming. You can redeem these miles as a statement credit for travel purchases or transfer them to any of Capital One’s hotel and airline partners.
The Blue Cash Preferred Card is one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. It’s an especially good card for streaming because it earns unlimited 6% cash back on various U.S. streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu and more. In addition, it comes with $7 in monthly statement credits when you spend $9.99 (or more) on an eligible Disney Bundle subscription (subject to auto-renewal, enrollment required). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
This is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to earn cash-back rewards on streaming, since its 6% return rate is hard to beat. It’s an especially good fit for anyone who subscribes to the Disney Bundle, since you’ll get an automatic monthly credit when you use this card.
"The Blue Cash Preferred Card is the card I recommended to my parents when they were looking for a new cash-back rewards card for their groceries. My parents prefer the simplicity of cash-back rewards and I knew they'd benefit from earning 6% cash back on up to $6,000 per year in purchases at U.S. supermarkets. Compared to the 1.5% cash back they were earning on these purchases, the elevated earnings easily justified adding the Blue Cash Preferred to their wallet." - Katie Genter, senior points and miles writer
Those who want more streaming monthly statement credits should consider The Platinum Card® from American Express. While it doesn’t earn bonus rewards on streaming purchases, it comes with up to $20 per month in statement credits for digital entertainment including select streaming services (enrollment required).
The Capital One Savor is a great cash back credit card for beginners looking for a solid rewards structure and no annual fee. Dining, entertainment and groceries are high-value bonus categories, all earning an unlimited 3% cash back.
Anyone who wants to earn cash-back rewards on streaming while avoiding annual fees will appreciate this card. Plus, anyone who also has a card that earns Capital One miles can benefit from this card since they can combine their rewards and take advantage of Capital One’s full range of transfer partners.
The Savor offers impressive bonus-earning categories for a card with no annual fee. With it, you’ll earn unlimited 3% back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®).
Those who want to earn cash-back rewards on streaming and don’t mind paying an annual fee will likely prefer the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. It earns an unlimited 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming purchases and comes with a monthly credit toward the Disney bundle (enrollment required).
The Amex Platinum is unmatched when it comes to travel perks and benefits. But in addition to its lounge access and hotel elite status, the Amex Platinum offers valuable digital entertainment credits. As a cardmember, you can get up to $20 in monthly statement credits on entertainment providers like The New York Times, Disney+, The Wall Street Journal and more. Enrollment is required.
Those who want to save money with streaming statement credits will appreciate the valuable credits this card offers. However, the credits only apply to a specific set of streaming services, so check eligible subscriptions before landing on this as your streaming card.
"Whilst this card has a high annual fee, it more than justifies itself for frequent travelers like me. The lounge access options that come with the Platinum are unrivaled by competitors. I put all of my flights — whether bought with cash or points — on this card to earn 5 points per dollar spent and trip protection insurance. I make sure to take full advantage of the Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hulu/Disney+ and Clear statement credits. And, honestly, pulling a Platinum card out of your wallet to pay for something does feel pretty fancy." - Matt Moffitt, managing editor
If you want streaming credits as well as to earn bonus rewards on streaming, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a better option. It comes with a monthly credit toward the Disney bundle (enrollment required) and earns unlimited 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming purchases.
When it comes to simplicity and strong rewards, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice for most travelers. You’ll earn earns 2 miles per dollar on every purchase with no bonus categories to memorize, making it an ideal card for those who want a consistent, valuable return on their spending.
Beginners and anyone who wants to earn travel rewards at a consistent rate will benefit from this card. Since it has a strong flat earning rate instead of bonus categories, you can feel good about the rewards you’re earning without having to worry about what type of purchase you’re making.
"The Capital One Venture is a great card that can add value to pretty much anyone's wallet. I use it to earn 2 miles per dollar on the purchases that fall outside of my other cards' bonus categories. The annual fee is low, Capital One miles are easy to redeem and the card does come with a few nice perks — including TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee reimbursement." - Madison Blancaflor, managing editor
If you want the same flat earning rate as well as premium travel benefits, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card will be a better fit. It comes with complimentary airport lounge access and a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel.
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® card is a no annual fee card that offers multiple bonus categories and a solid welcome bonus.
*The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® can be a good pick for someone who is looking for a no-annual-fee card with solid bonus categories.
If you’re interested in a no-annual fee card that comes with solid earning rates on categories like dining and delivery, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® could be a great fit for you.
If you want a no-annual-fee card that earns competitive rewards, consider the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. It earns 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1% thereafter.
Maximizing streaming credit cards
Identify the type of rewards you want to earn
There are multiple ways to use a credit card to maximize your streaming subscriptions. You can take advantage of available streaming credits or earn bonus cash-back or travel rewards. Identifying the streaming benefits you’ll find the most valuable will help you choose a card that’s the best fit for your needs.
Check eligible streaming services
Before deciding on a credit card for your streaming services, check which services are included in the card’s credits or bonus category. For instance, music streaming services are included as a bonus-earning subscription for some cards but notably missing from others. If you spend a significant portion of your streaming budget on this type of subscription each year, that difference will be a key factor in choosing a credit card.
Set your streaming card as your default payment method
Once you have a credit card for streaming, add it as your automatic payment method for all your eligible streaming services. This will allow you to trigger any statement credits and earn bonus rewards automatically when your payment is processed each month.
How we rate
What counts as streaming on a credit card?
Typically, major streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and Spotify are included. However, what counts as streaming will differ by card, so double-check before choosing one. You can usually find this information in the card’s fine print, in reviews of the card or in the card details listed on this page.
Who should get a credit card for streaming services?
Anyone who spends significantly on streaming service subscriptions can benefit from getting a card that earns bonus rewards on these purchases. Similarly, getting a card with streaming service credits is an easy way to save money on this expense. However, anyone who doesn’t have many streaming subscriptions or who wants to put their streaming spending toward earning welcome bonuses or elite status perks on another card will not benefit much from getting a credit card for streaming services.
How to choose a credit card for streaming services
- It's best to select a credit card for streaming service subscriptions that comes with a decent sign-up bonus. Much of the value you'll get from a credit card can be found in lucrative welcome bonuses. Be sure to find a card with a spending threshold you can reach.1Sign-up bonus
- The cards we've compiled are available for various annual fees to suit your needs. For instance, if you're looking for added perks and benefits, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be a solid streaming card. However, there are other options that provide solid earning rates on streaming platforms that feature no annual fee as well.2Annual fee
- While the credit cards on this list earn at solid rates on streaming service subscriptions, many of our top picks also earn in various other useful bonus categories. Be sure to select a card that earns extra where you spend your money most to get the most out of your card.3Bonus categories
Ask our experts
What's your favorite streaming card — and why?
Pros + cons of streaming credit cards
Pros
- Using credit cards for streaming subscriptions responsibly can help you build your credit score
- Streaming credit cards can earn bonus cash back, points or miles on your subscriptions
- Many credit cards for streaming earn in other valuable categories, such as dining
- Certain streaming credit cards provide perks such as cash back and statement credits
Cons
- Credit cards can encourage overspending
- Carrying a balance and using a credit card irresponsibly can damage your credit score
- The cost of borrowing on credit cards is higher than traditional loans
- Some streaming cards may come with credits that can be difficult to use
Frequently asked questions
No one credit card is best for streaming services. To choose the card best for you, consider the types of rewards you want to earn and the streaming subscriptions you have. If you want to earn cash-back rewards and subscribe to a wide range of streaming services, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a great choice that allows you to earn 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming purchases*. However, if you want to earn travel rewards, you’ll prefer the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which earns 3 points per dollar on popular streaming services.
*Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
You can earn cash-back rewards on streaming services by using any card that earns cash-back rewards to pay for your subscriptions. However, you’ll earn the highest streaming cash-back rates with the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express or the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, since they all earn bonus cash-back on streaming services.
If you spend a significant amount on streaming services, getting a card that comes with statement credits or earns bonus rewards on these purchases can be a great decision. However, you also might decide to use that spending to help you earn a welcome bonus on a new credit card or perks like free nights on a hotel cobrand card. If that’s the case, you may not need a streaming credit card.
The money you save on streaming services with credit cards will depend on the amount you spend and which credit card you use. You can save $240 each year if you take full advantage of the streaming credits on The Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment required), for instance. However, if you earn 3 bonus points per dollar by using your Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you’ll get an effective 6% return on your subscriptions, according to our valuations.