Catching your favorite show or movie via streaming service is commonplace in this day and age â especially during the COVID-19 pandemic â and doing so using a smart device other than a standard computer has gained popularity in recent years.
In fact, 2020 data out of the Leichtman Research Group found that 80% of T.V.-owning households in the U.S. have at least one internet-connected T.V. device â from streaming devices like the Roku Streaming Stick to video game consoles like Nintendo Switch to standard smart T.V.s. And with the uptick in internet-connected T.V. devices, one can assume the popularity of streaming services (coupled with Americans’ ever-heightening presence online) may have something to do with it.
As the popularity of streaming services grows, U.S. households are increasingly cutting the cord with cable
Research published as recently as this year by the Leichtman Research Group indicates that â82% of U.S. households have at least one streaming video serviceâ from 11 of the top direct-to-consumer and subscription-based video-on-demand services â a slight increase from its 2019 findings.
At the same time, numerical estimates from eMarketer forecast that an additional 6.6 million U.S. households will âcut the cordâ with cable T.V. subscriptions in 2021, bringing the projected total number of U.S. cord-cutters to 31.2 million.
Overall, it can be inferred that the COVID-19 pandemic could have something to do with these numbers as Americans look for more ways to stay entertained while under stay-at-home orders.
Got streaming subscriptions? A rewards card can help
If you happen to be juggling streaming service subscriptions for personal use â or even to stream calming tunes at your small business or within your (virtual) second-grade classroom, for example â odds are you’re spending a decent amount on these services per month. And while financial tools like a rewards credit card can be helpful, streaming services probably arenât the first bonus category you check for when scoping out the most ârewardingâ card options.
Since these purchases likely make up less of your budget, it makes sense that they wonât be your first priority. Thankfully, though, many great rewards and cash back credit cards now include streaming service bonuses in addition to their ongoing rewards and perks. Hereâs a quick look at some of our favorite cards that reward streaming.
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card*: Best for earning rewards on streaming with no annual fee
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for earning rewards on streaming with an ongoing annual fee
Discover it® Cash Back: Best for rotating category enthusiasts
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card: Best for Amazon Prime loyalists
U.S. Bank Altitude Go Card: Best for everyday spending
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Card: Best for streaming credit
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card*: Best for dinner and a movie
Best for earning rewards on streaming (no annual fee): Wells Fargo Propel
For cardholders who prefer a rewards card with no annual fee, the Wells Fargo Propel American Express card is a great option. It offers 3X points per dollar on dining, travel and transit, gas station purchases and select streaming services. Cardholders also earn 1X point per dollar on other purchases. Based on the average person’s spending habits, we estimate this card offers an average rewards rate of 1.78 points per dollar, one of the highest rates you can find on a card with no annual fee.
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card*
Why should you get this card?
The Wells Fargo Propel card is one of the best no-annual-fee travel cards on the market, thanks to its 3X point bonus.
Read full review
Other things to know:
3X points per dollar on dining, travel and transit, gas station purchases and select streaming services; 1X point per dollar on other purchases
20,000 points if you spend $1,000 in first 3 months
$0 annual fee
No foreign transaction fee
If you were to spend $29 a month on streaming services, you’d earn 1,044 points annually with this card. That’s just over $10 a year in cash back from streaming purchases.
Streaming services eligible for bonus rewards on Wells Fargo Propel
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This card’s video streaming service category includes a number of popular providers. Eligible partners include Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO Now and more. You can also earn rewards on eligible music streaming services, including Apple Music, Spotify Premium and Pandora. With so many providers included, it’s easy to rack up points on your subscriptions.
Other card perks to consider
Beyond offering a good rate on streaming services, the Wells Fargo Propel comes with several other perks that make it a valuable option. New cardholders can enjoy a generous sign-up bonus of 20,000 points for spending $1,000 in the first three months. Plus, the Propel cardâs bonus categories are particularly valuable for frequent travelers, as they include gas stations, transit, travel and dining purchases.
Best for earning rewards on streaming (with an ongoing annual fee): Blue Cash Preferred
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is a great choice for cardholders looking to earn cash back on streaming service purchases, and the card’s terrific ongoing rewards rate should make it easy to offset the $95 annual fee after the first year.
You’ll earn 6% cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases (for up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% on transit and U.S. gas station purchases, and 1% on general purchases.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Why should you get this card?
The Blue Cash Preferred card helps take the sting out of long commutes by offering a generous point bonus on U.S. gas station spending, and it offers one of the highest cash back bonuses you can get when you use your card at U.S. supermarkets.
Read full review
Other things to know:
6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1%), 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit purchases and 1% cash back on other purchases
$150 statement credit if you spend $3,000 in first 6 months
20% back on Amazon.com purchases in first 6 months, up to $200 back
Free ShopRunner membership
$95 annual fee is waived the first year
Terms apply
The 6% cash back on streaming services is the most generous bonus on this category currently available among rewards cards â especially since there is no cap on how much you can earn. If, like the average person, you pay about $29 each month on various services, you can earn more than $20 a year in cash back on those purchases alone.
Streaming services eligible for cash back on Blue Cash Preferred
The Blue Cash Preferred card also boasts a robust list of eligible streaming services, including popular options like Apple TV+, Netflix, Hulu, SlingTV, Spotify and Disney+, as well as HBO Max.
Keep in mind, however, that according to Amex, “If your subscription is bundled with another product or service or billed by a third party (such as a digital platform, a cable, telecommunications, or internet provider or a car manufacturer), your purchase may not be eligible.”
In other words, if you have an add-on subscription to a service like HBO included as part of your cable service, you won’t earn bonus rewards even if you pay that bill with the Blue Cash Preferred.
Other card perks to consider
On top of the highest rate of cash back currently available for streaming services, the Blue Cash Preferred offers a top-tier rate on U.S. supermarket purchases (6% on up to $6,000 in purchases a year, then 1%). If you spend a lot on groceries each month, this card is one of the most rewarding options available. Even with the $6,000 per year spend cap, you can rack up quite a bit of cash back.
Best for rotating category enthusiasts: Discover it Cash Back
If you enjoy tracking quarterly rotating categories for higher cash back rates, the Discover it Cash Back might be your card of choice. The Discover it Cash Back publishes its quarterly rotating categories ahead of time.
In 2021, the Spring (April to June, activate starting March 1, 2021) categories include select streaming services. During the Spring quarter, if activated, you can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter in the bonus categories, then 1% after that. If you miss the Spring bonus quarter this year, keep an eye out to see if itâs offered again next year.
Discover it® Cash Back
Why should you get this card?
The Discover it® Cash Back offers rotating quarterly rewards category, plus no annual fee.
Read full review
Other things to know:
Enroll every quarter to earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases in various categories throughout the year
1% cash back on general purchases
$0 annual fee
Streaming services eligible for cash back on Discover it Cash Back
The following streaming services are eligible in this category: Apple Music and Apple TV+, YouTube TV, Spotify, Disney+, HBO Max, AT&T TV Now, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, BET+, CBS All Access, DAZN, ESPN+, Fubo TV, Google Play Movies & TV, Philo, Peacock TV, Showtime, Sirius XM, Starz, Sling and Vudu.
Note that if your subscription is bundled with another product or service billed by a third party, it may not be eligible in this category. The same goes for add-ons on select streaming services if they arenât on the list of eligible services.
Other card perks to consider
The Discover it Cash Back card offers other great perks, including a sign-up bonus that matches your cash back at the end of your first year of card membership. In addition, it comes with a $0 annual fee and multiple easy options for how you can redeem your rewards.
Best for Amazon Prime Video loyalists: Amazon Prime Rewards card
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card is designed with Amazon fans in mind, making it one of the best options if your streaming service of choice is Amazon Prime Video. The card earns 5% cash back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods purchases (including your Amazon Prime membership), 2% cash back on restaurant, gas station and drugstore purchases, and 1% cash back on everything else. In order to qualify for the card, an Amazon Prime membership is required â but the cardâs 5% rewards rate can help offset the fee.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card
Why should you get this card?
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature card offers a great 5% rate on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases.
Read full review
Other things to know:
5% cash back on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, 2% back on restaurant, gas station and drugstore purchases. and 1% back on other purchases
$70 Amazon gift card when you sign up
No foreign transaction fees
Streaming services eligible for cash back on Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature
While Amazon Prime is technically the only streaming platform eligible for rewards, the Amazon Prime Rewards card should prove surprisingly flexible if you want to juggle multiple subscriptions. In addition to your Prime membership (which includes Prime Video and Amazon Music), you’ll earn 5% back on all Prime Video rentals and purchases, as well as on any subscriptions you add to your membership through Amazon Prime Video Channels.
With Amazon Prime Video Channels, you can choose from more than 100 add-on video subscriptions, including premium channels like HBO and niche channels like PBS Masterpiece. Here is a brief selection of Prime Video Channels, all of which earn 5% back when added to your Prime Video account:
Acorn TV
BET+
BritBox
Cheddar
Cinemax
Epix
Hallmark Movies Now
HBO
Lifetime Movie Club
MLB.TV
NBA League Pass
Paramount+
PBS Masterpiece
PBS Kids
Showtime
Starz
Shudder
Sundance Now
To earn rewards on these add-on subscriptions and any video rentals or purchases, be sure your Amazon Prime Rewards card is set as your default payment method for Prime Video. You can adjust this setting in the “Your Payments” section of your account, under “Settings” â or change your payment method for Prime Video Channels in the “Manage Your Prime Video Channels” section of your account.
Other card perks to consider
The Amazon Prime Visa also makes a great grocery card for users who live near a Whole Foods location. The 5% cash back you earn on these purchases is one of the best grocery rates available. Additionally, youâll get a $70 Amazon gift card just for signing up. While this is not the highest sign-up bonus available among rewards cards, it doesnât require you to meet any spend requirement, and youâll be able to take advantage of the perk immediately.
Best for everyday spending: U.S. Bank Altitude Go Card
If you want to earn rewards on an array of everyday expenses, including streaming services, the U.S. Bank Altitude Go Card is a terrific option without paying an annual fee. Along with the 4X points per dollar you’ll earn on takeout, dining and food delivery purchases, youâll earn 2X points per dollar at grocery stores, grocery delivery, gas stations and streaming services, then 1X point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
U.S. Bank Altitude Go Card
Why should you get this card?
It charges no annual fee, offers an impressive rewards rate on a variety of everyday purchases and comes with the added perk of an annual streaming credit.
Read full review
Other things to know:
4X points per dollar on dining, 2X points per dollar on grocery store, gas station and streaming service purchases, then 1X point per dollar on other purchases
20,000-point bonus when you spend $1,000 in first 90 days
Includes an introductory APR on balance transfers and new purchases
No annual fee
On top of its ongoing rewards on streaming service purchases, the card offers a unique annual streaming credit: When you make 11 consecutive calendar month eligible streaming service purchases, youâll receive a $15 credit (automatic statement credit will be applied within two statement billing cycles following the eleventh month; you are eligible for this credit once per 12-month period).
Streaming services eligible for bonus rewards and credit on U.S. Bank Altitude Go Card
While U.S. Bank does not offer a full list of eligible streaming services, it’s safe to assume based on how merchant category codes are typically assigned that services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, AT&T TV Now, Disney+, Google Music, Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, SiriusXM, Slacker Radio, Sling TV, Spotify, Tidal, Vudu, YouTube Music and YouTube TV are included.
Other card perks to considerinstant card number on approval. As soon as you’re approved, you can load your card number into your favorite mobile wallet and start earning rewards instead of waiting for it in the mail. You can also use the card to pay off a transferred balance or finance new purchases â a major plus considering how difficult balance transfer offers can be to come by.
students with a limited credit history can also enjoy streaming service perks with the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One. You can earn up to $60 in streaming service credits: $5 per month for 12 months on select subscriptions when you pay on time. Some exclusions apply, but popular services like Prime Video, Disney+ and Netflix are included.
Best for streaming credit: U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Card
The streaming service earning on the newly launched U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Card is pay, but it makes up for it with a slightly higher credit of $30 for annual streaming service purchases. Plus, you can still rack up plenty of rewards with the card’s 4X rate on gas and travel, 2X on groceries (including grocery delivery), dining and streaming services and 1X on everything else.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature®
Why should you get this card?
The new U.S. Bank Altitude Connect offers a leading rewards rate on gas and travel, and its TSA Precheck/Global Entry application fee credit can help offset the annual fee.
Other things to know:
4 points per dollar on travel and at gas stations
2 points per dollar at grocery stores and on grocery delivery, dining and streaming services
1 point per dollar on all other purchases
50,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first 120 days
$95 annual fee (waived the first year)
$30 credit for annual streaming service purchases such as Netflix and Spotify
Receive up to $100 in statement credits for reimbursement toward your TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee once every four years.
No foreign transaction fees
While the card does offer 2X ongoing rewards on streaming service purchases, the annual streaming credit offers the real value. Like with the Altitude Go Card, you just need to make 11 consecutive calendar month eligible streaming service purchases, and then you’ll receive a $30 statement credit.
Streaming services eligible for bonus rewards and credit on U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Card
There is not a full list of eligible streaming services publicly available, but services like Amazon Music, Netflix, Pandora and YouTube TV are said to qualify.
Other card perks to consider
In addition to its high earning rate on travel and gas purchases, the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect card comes with a statement credit of up to $100 to cover your TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee. Since the annual fee on this card is only $95 (waived in the first year), you can easily offset the cost on the years you use this credit. (Note, membership to these programs last five years.)
Best for dinner and a movie: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards card has long been a favorite for foodies, thanks to its generous earning rate on both dining and grocery store purchases. But this fan-favorite recently got an upgrade â and with it a new, enhanced rate on streaming service purchases.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Why should you get this card?
The Capital One Savor card offers one of the best cash back rates on dining and entertainment purchases combined.
Read full review
Other things to know:
8% cash back on tickets at Vivid Seats through January 2023
4% cash back on dining, entertainment and streaming services
3% cash back at grocery stores
1% cash back on other purchases
$300 if you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months
$95 annual fee
Streaming services eligible for bonus rewards and credit on Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
There is not a full list of eligible streaming services publicly available, but services like Hulu, Disney+ and Netflix are said to qualify.
Other card perks to consider
The Savor card also recently enhanced its earning rate on grocery store purchases, making it more valuable for those who prefer eating in to dining out. So whether you’d rather order takeout (earning 4% cash back) or stock up for cooking your own meal (3% cash back), the Savor will reward you for your next movie night.
Final thoughts
While streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube TV or Tidal might not make up the biggest part of your monthly budget, you can still bring in great rewards on your membership fees by choosing the right rewards card. Whether you prefer a dining, grocery or travel card, you can combine rewards on various purchases with a streaming bonus to maximize points or cash back.
*All information about the Wells Fargo Propel American Express card and Capital One Savor Cash Rewards card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
