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Many credit cards have modernized their rewards with options for earning entertainment rewards of all kinds, including streaming. The best credit cards for streaming services have broad definitions and high rewards rates. We'll break down which services are included and how to choose the right card.
Robin Hartill, CFP®, is The Ascent’s Head of Product Ratings and has worked for The Motley Fool since 2020. Her work has appeared in various national publications, including Yahoo! Finance, NerdWallet, Investopedia, CNN Underscored, MSNBC, USA Today, and CNET Money. She previously wrote The Penny Hoarder’s syndicated “Dear Penny” personal finance advice column.
Great for: Unbeatable U.S. streaming rewards
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months
APR
19.24%-29.99% Variable
Rewards 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.
1%-6% Cash Back
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Welcome Offer Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$250
This card offers market-leading cash back at U.S. supermarkets. The welcome bonus and intro APR offer sweeten the deal. Terms apply. If you spend a lot on groceries (excluding wholesale clubs and superstores like Costco and Walmart), this card is worth considering. Read Full Review
Great for: 3X points on streaming services
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from account opening
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
Rewards Earn unlimited 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Plus earn 1X points on other purchases.
1X-3X points
Annual Fee N/A
$0
Welcome Offer Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months - that's a $200 cash redemption value.
20,000 bonus points
This card offers unlimited 3X points on common things like restaurants, gas stations, travel, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans. Plus, earn 1X points on other purchases. This could be a great pick if you spend a lot in those categories. A solid welcome bonus and cell phone protection are the cherries on top. Read Full Review
Great for: Streaming on the go
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
21.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards 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.
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases
Annual Fee N/A
$95
Welcome Offer 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 Travel℠.
60,000 bonus points
The enormous welcome bonus (worth $750), bonus travel and dining rewards, and $50 annual hotel credit alone make this card well worth the annual fee. This card’s points are valuable and easy to use, as you can redeem them at 25% more value for Chase Travel bookings, giving it less of a learning curve than other travel cards. It also has a strong list of travel protections you don't see often from such an affordable card, including primary rental car insurance, trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Read Full Review
Great for: Rotating bonus rewards
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards 5% cash back in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent), 1% cash back on other purchases. Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
1% - 5% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 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.
20,000 ThankYou® Points
We love this card’s easy-to-use yet lucrative cash back program. Each billing cycle, cardholders earn 5% cash back in their top spend category (up to $500 spent in eligible categories). Eligible categories include grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, select travel and more. The card automatically adjusts to your spending habits, which makes it easy to maximize your rewards. Read Full Review
Great for: Choosing your own bonus categories
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases billing cycles, and after that 19.49% - 29.74% (Variable).
Purchases: 0%, 15 billing cycles on purchases
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 billing cycles
Regular APR
19.49% - 29.74% (Variable)
Rewards 5% cash back back on up to $2,000 of quarterly spending in two categories of choice and for travel booked directly in U.S. Bank's Rewards Travel Center, unlimited 2% back in one "everyday" category of choice, 1% back on other purchases
1% - 5% back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
$200
You get the power to choose not one, but two bonus 5% cash back categories every quarter with this U.S. Bank card. Plus, you get 5% on travel spending when you book through U.S. Bank. No annual fee, a generous welcome bonus, and 15 billing cycles of 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers round out the perks on this card.
Great for: Streaming and dining rewards
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.24%, variable
Rewards Earn 10% cash back on purchases on Uber and Uber Eats, plus get your Uber One monthly membership fee covered through through Nov. 14, 2024. Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and for popular streaming services, earn 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.
1% - 10% cash back
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer $300 cash bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
$300
Unlimited bonus scash back on dining and entertainment makes this the ideal option for spending nights out on the town. Pair that with the big sign-up bonus and bonus back at grocery stores and you’ve got the ingredients for a top-rated rewards card.
Great for: Annual streaming credit
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% Intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 billing cycles
Purchases: 0%, 12 billing cycles
Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 billing cycles
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards Earn 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked in the Altitude Rewards Center, 4X points on travel and at gas stations, 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, dining and streaming services, 1x points on other purchases
1x - 5x points
Annual Fee N/A
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Welcome Offer 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
20,000 points
Special travel perks can be yours with this U.S. Bank card. For a nominal annual fee, you can earn 5X points per $1 on travel booked through the Altitude Rewards Center, 4X points on other travel, and more. Plus, to enhance your travel experience, you can enjoy access to airport lounges worldwide with a 12-month Priority Pass Select membership, plus a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Great for: Everyday rewards
On Capital One's Secure Website.
On Capital One's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0% intro on purchases for 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0% intro on balance transfers for 15 months (Balance Transfer Fee Applies)
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Rewards Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024. 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. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.
1%-10% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer $200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
$200 Cash Back
Dining and grocery spending will earn premium rewards, but that's not the only showstopper. The sign-up bonus, no annual fee, and a 0% intro APR offer can add a ton of value. Read Full Review
With so many cards offering bonus rewards on streaming, narrowing down the best credit card for you may be a challenge. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a card for streaming.
Which streaming services earn bonus rewards will vary by issuer and even by card. Make sure the services you use will be eligible for bonus rewards.
You can find cards with rewards rates as high as 6% back, but you may need to pay an annual fee for the highest rates.
Unless you spend a ton on streaming, a dedicated streaming rewards card may not be worth it. Be sure to check out what other bonus categories each card offers to see how it can fit into your lifestyle.
It may be worth paying an annual fee if you can find the perfect combo of services, rewards, and secondary bonus categories.
Each card issuer has its own way to define which providers it will include in its streaming services bonus category. Let's take a look at some of the major players.
Amex has one of the most inclusive streaming categories of any issuer. It covers not only video, but also music services, a few podcast networks, and even books (terms apply, select enrollment required).
Here are U.S. subscription video services that Amex counts:
Amex also includes several U.S. music streaming services:
A couple U.S. podcast platforms:
And Amazon's U.S. audiobook and ebook services:
Related: Best American Express Credit Cards
Capital One doesn't provide a full list of eligible streaming services. It only specifically mentions the following services as included:
However, Capital One is pretty clear on what it does not cover. Services that don't qualify:
Related: Best Capital One Credit Cards
Chase calls its bonus category "select streaming services," and it specifies that only purchases from the listed merchants will qualify. On the plus side, Chase has a decently inclusive streaming services category, with both video and music options.
For video services, you have:
The included music streaming services are:
Related: Best Chase Credit Cards
Citi is another issuer that specifies "select streaming services" with a set list of eligible merchants. It includes both video and music streaming services.
The video services include:
Citi's select streaming services category also includes these music streaming services:
Related: Best Citi Credit Cards
U.S. Bank includes a wide range of content providers in its streaming category, from video streaming to podcasts. It seems to stay pretty true to the merchant code, without specifically excluding any services.
The included video streaming services are:
The issuer has one of the broadest music streaming services list, including:
U.S. Bank also includes two popular podcast platforms:
Related: Best U.S. Bank Credit Cards
If you use a streaming service that hasn't hit the mainstream (pun intended), it might not be on anyone's list of approved services. That doesn't necessarily mean it won't earn the appropriate bonus rewards, though.
The exception to this rule is if the issuer specifically disqualifies specific services. For example, Capital One specifically lists Amazon Video as not eligible for bonus rewards.
There are a few ways to find out if your favorite streaming service will earn bonus rewards:
As noted above, many issuers go by the merchant code. This is provided to the card network by the merchant. If the code doesn't match a streaming category, the merchant may not be included in the rewards program.
You should also keep in mind that you typically need to purchase your streaming service directly from the provider. If you pay for your service through a third party, such as Roku or Google Play, it probably won't qualify for the bonus rewards. Certain bundles may also be excluded.
There are a few rewards credit cards that offer statement credits for subscription services in addition to -- or instead of -- bonus rewards. Statement credits are like rebates; you purchase the service with your card and you get a credit on your account once the transaction hits.
One way to work around merchant restrictions is through gift cards. You could potentially use your credit card points or cash back rewards to purchase gift cards through your rewards portal, then use the gift card to pay for your streaming. Make sure to do the math, though; gift card redemptions don't usually provide the best per-point value.
Learn more: How Credit Card Points Work
Another option is to use your rewards credit card to buy gift cards at a retailer like a grocery store. If you have a grocery rewards card, you could earn bonus rewards on the gift card purchase. Then, use the gift card to pay for your streaming service. Keep in mind that some issuers frown on buying gift cards or treat them as cash advances, so use caution with this plan.
Another common way you can save on streaming services with your card is through issuer shopping or deals portals. Many issuers offer special discounts from partner retailers, and these frequently include streaming providers. For example, Chase Offers and Amex Offers regularly have discounts or statement credits for streaming services.
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Unbeatable U.S. streaming rewards |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: 3X points on streaming services |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Streaming on the go |
|
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Rotating bonus rewards |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Choosing your own bonus categories |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Streaming and dining rewards |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Annual streaming credit |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Everyday rewards |
At The Motley Fool Ascent, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.
Our highest-rated credit cards have:
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how The Ascent rates credit cards.
HBO Max is listed in the streaming bonus category for four major issuers:
Of these issuers, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers the highest rewards rate we've come across at 6% cash back on U.S. streaming (terms apply). However, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns 3X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on streaming purchases. Ultimate Rewards points are travel rewards that can be transferred to more than a dozen hotel and airline partners. Depending on how you value Ultimate Rewards points, this may be a more lucrative option.
The services included in the streaming bonus category vary a lot by card issuer. Most issuers allow both video and music streaming services. The majority of issuers include the most popular services, including:
American Express, Chase, Citi, and U.S. Bank all include Spotfiy in their streaming services bonus category definitions. Of those, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers the highest rewards rate on U.S. streaming at 6% cash back. This makes the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express arguably the best card for earning rewards on Spotify.
None of the major rewards credit cards currently offer free Netflix as a regular card benefit. However, you can occasionally find Netflix discounts or statement credit offers through an issuer's shopping or deals portals. For example, Chase occasionally lists Netflix promos through its Chase Offers or Shop Through Chase programs. Similarly, the Amex Offers portal regularly has deals for U.S. streaming services.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
For rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here
For rates and fees for the The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here
The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Mastercard and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Amex.