Best Credit Cards for Streaming Services
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ExpertiseHarrison Pierce is a writer and a digital nomad, specializing in personal finance with a focus on credit cards. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a major in sociology and is currently traveling the world.
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With the rise in popularity of streaming services, it’s no surprise many credit card companies are folding those subscriptions into their benefits programs to entice customers. Whether you’re a fan of Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, or any other streaming platform, having a credit card that rewards you for your subscriptions can be a great way to save money while kicking back and enjoying your favorite movies and shows. Here are our top picks for credit cards that give you the best rewards for streaming services you already use.
In this article, you’ll learn:
Comparing the best credit cards for streaming services
Credit Card | Streaming Services | Welcome Offer |
---|---|---|
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions + annual credit for Disney bundle | Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply. |
Amazon Prime Visa | Amazon video and music included with complimentary Prime subscription | Get a $100 (or more) Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members. |
The Platinum Card® from American Express | $240 annual digital entertainment credit | Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 3x points per dollar on select streaming services | Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. |
Citi Custom Cash Card | 5% cash back on the category where you spend the most money | Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. |
*Updated as of September 2023
A closer look at the best credit cards to pay for streaming services
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Streaming offers: 6% cash back on select US streaming subscriptions
$84 annual credit for Disney Bundle
Streaming services included: None
Annual fee: $0 first year, then $95
Intro APR: 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months from the date of account opening.
Regular APR: 19.24% – 29.99% variable APR
Signup bonus: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
Our verdict: Not only is this card great for getting cash back on streaming services, but this card also includes an automatic 6% cash back at US supermarkets, too, making it a great daily driver. Plus cardholders get to “double dip” in a way thanks to the added bonus of the yearly Disney Bundle credit.
Qualifying streaming services include:
- Amazon Music Unlimited
- Apple Music
- Apple TV+
- Audible
- DirecTV Stream (formerly known as AT&T TV or AT&T TV NOW)
- Disney+
- ESPN+
- Fubo TV
- Hulu
- iHeartRadio
- Kindle Unlimited
- Luminary
- Max (formerly HBO Max)
- MLB.TV
- NBA League Pass
- Netflix
- NHL.TV
- Pandora
- Paramount+
- Peacock
- Prime Video
- Showtime
- Sling TV
- SiriusXM Streaming and Satellite
- Spotify
- Stitcher
- Tidal Music
- YouTube Music Premium
- YouTube Premium
- YouTube TV
Pros:
- 6% cash back on streaming services
- $84 annual credit for Disney Bundle
Cons:
- $95 annual fee (after first year)
- Yearly Disney Bundle credit doled out as $7/month
Apply now: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Learn more: Blue Cash Preferred Card Review
Amazon Prime Visa
Streaming offers: N/A
Annual fee: $0 first year, then $95
Intro APR: 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months from the date of account opening.
Regular APR: 19.24% – 29.99% variable APR
Signup bonus: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first six months.
Our verdict: The Prime Visa card includes access to Amazon Prime Video and Prime Music in a roundabout way. The card is only available for Prime members, which means you’re already getting access to Amazon’s streaming services. However, this card is an excellent one to have if you’re spending a lot on Amazon since it automatically gets you 5% back on anything you buy at Amazon and now Whole Foods.
Pros:
- No annual fee
- 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods
Cons:
- Requires Amazon Prime membership
Apply now: Amazon Prime Visa
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Streaming offers: $240 yearly digital entertainment credit
Annual fee: $695
Intro APR: N/A
Regular APR: 21.24% – 29.24% variable
Signup bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first six months of Card Membership.
Our verdict: Since the pandemic, American Express has really expanded its Platinum Card’s benefits to include more services that aren’t travel-specific. Now cardholders get a $240 annual credit for streaming services and a $155 credit for Walmart+, which comes with a complimentary subscription to Paramount+, giving you an added surprise perk.
Qualifying streaming services include:
- Disney+ (including the Disney Bundle)
- ESPN+
- Hulu
- Peacock
- SiriusXM
- The New York Times
- Wall Street Journal
Pros:
- $240 annual digital entertainment credit
- $155 Walmart+ credit (which gets you Paramount+ for free)
Cons:
- $695 annual fee
- Authorized users are now charged $195 each
- Yearly entertainment credit doled out at $20/month
- Shorter list of qualifying services as compared to competitors
Apply now: The Platinum Card® by American Express
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Streaming offers: 3x points per dollar on select streaming services
Annual fee: $95
Intro APR: N/A
Regular APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
Signup bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Our verdict: Not only is this a great card for people who dabble in traveling, but the 3x points per dollar on streaming subscriptions make this an easy card to keep handy. Chase has also begun expanding their Chase Offers, which are similar to Amex’s Offers and Benefits and could occasionally include special offers for cashback bonuses on streaming services, too.
Qualifying streaming services include:
- Apple Music
- Apple TV
- Disney+
- ESPN+
- Fubo TV
- HBO Max
- Hulu
- Netflix
- Pandora
- Paramount+
- Peacock
- Showtime
- SiriusXM
- Sling
- Spotify
- YouTube Premium
- YouTube TV
- Vudu
Pros:
- 3x points per dollar spent on streaming services
Cons:
- $95 annual fee
- Maximizing redemption options requires using the Ultimate Rewards portal
Apply now: Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card
Citi Custom Cash Card
Streaming offers: 5% cash back on purchases made in the eligible category where you spend the most money, including streaming services
Annual fee: $0
Intro APR: 0% introductory APR for the first 15 months from the date of account opening.
Regular APR: 19.24% – 29.24% variable APR
Signup bonus: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Our verdict: The Citi Custom Cash card allows you to earn cash back automatically in categories in which you already spend money. One of these categories includes streaming services and has a generous list of subscriptions that apply. The full list includes:
- Amazon Prime Video
- Amazon Music
- Apple Music
- DirectTV Stream
- Disney+
- ESPN+
- fuboTV
- Max
- NBA League Pass
- Netflix
- Pandora
- Paramount+
- Showtime
- SiriusXM
- Sling TV
- Spotify
- Starz
- Tidal
- Vudu
- YouTube Premium
- YouTube TV
Pros:
- No annual fee
- Automatic cash back
- 5% cash back bonus on high-spending categories
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
Cons:
- $500 spending cap per billing cycle
- 5% cash back is for only one category
Apply now: Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Learn more: Citi Custom CashSM Card Review
How to choose a credit card for streaming services
When choosing a credit card for streaming services, it is important to consider your own spending habits and preferences. Some cards may offer higher rewards on streaming services but have an annual fee, while others may have lower rewards but no annual fee. Think about how much you spend on streaming services each month and consider whether the rewards and benefits offered by the card are worth it for you.
Methodology
The methodology used to calculate the best cards for fair credit relied on several factors, with the most prominent of those being:
- The required credit score to apply successfully for the card
- The additional benefits offered by the card beyond rewards
- The rewards rate of the card, if applicable
- Overall difficulty in securing a credit card with fair credit
- The history of the card issuer itself
- Any potential costs associated with owning the credit card
The product information provided here is based on research conducted up to a specific date and may have changed. For the latest and most accurate information, we recommend you to visit the respective card’s website before proceeding.