The best credit cards for earning bonus rewards on streaming services, from Netflix to Amazon Prime Video
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The best credit cards for streaming services:
- 6% cash back on select US streaming services: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Best for rotating 5x categories in Q1 2021: Chase Freedom Flex℠
- Best for cash back with no annual fee: Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card
- Earn bonus rewards on several spending categories: U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card
- Best for Amazon Prime Video: Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
- Best for Apple TV+: Apple Card
The coronavirus has drastically changed our day-to-day life, and especially now that much of the country is dealing with frigid temperatures, most of us are spending more time at home than ever. For most people, that means a change to their credit card spending and travel rewards strategy.
If you're watching Netflix, Hulu, or another streaming service while you're stuck at home, consider using a credit card that earns bonus rewards on streaming services. There are several great options, including cards that earn bonus travel points on streaming services and some that earn cash back.
We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Best for maximum cash back:
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Other benefits: This card has to be one of the top all-round cash-back earners since it also accrues 6% cash back at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 in purchases per year (then 1% back), plus 3% cash back at US gas stations and on transit, including taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, and buses. It earns 1% back on everything else.
Best for rotating 5x categories in Q1 2021:
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Other benefits: The Chase Freedom Flex℠ also offers 5% back (5x points) on travel purchases made through the Chase travel portal, 3% back (3x points) on dining and at drugstores, and 1% back (1x points) on everything else. Although it's marketed as a cash-back card, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ actually earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which you can redeem for cash, travel, gift cards, and more.
Best for cash back with no annual fee:
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card
Other benefits: This card doesn't have any caps on the number of points you can earn, even on bonus purchases, which sets it apart from many other cash-back products. As does the fact that its 3x categories include gas stations, rideshares, transit, flights, hotels, homestays, car rentals, and both eating out and ordering in.
Earn bonus rewards on several spending categories:
U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card
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- 5% Back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership*
- 2% Back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores
- 1% Back on all other purchases
- No annual credit card fee
- No foreign transaction fees
Pros
- 5% cash back at Amazon and Whole Foods is hard to beat
- Earns 2% cash back on other popular categories (restaurants, gas stations, drugstores)
- No annual fee (though you have to be an Amazon Prime member)
Cons
- Other cards offer higher cash-back rates on non-Amazon purchases
Streaming service earning: Earn 5% back at Amazon, including annual Amazon Prime membership and its access to Amazon's extensive original and licensed content.
Welcome bonus: Get a $100 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval.
Annual fee: $0, but you must be an Amazon Prime member to qualify, so you're looking at either $12.99 per month, or $119 per year
Other benefits: Cardholders also earn 5% back at Whole Foods and then 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, then 1% back on all other purchases. They can redeem their cash back for Amazon.com purchases.
Best for Apple TV+: Apple Card
Streaming service earning: This relative newcomer earns 3% back on Apple purchases including items from iTunes, the App Store, and subscriptions to Apple Music and Apple TV+. Cash back is earned in the form of Daily Cash, which you can use to pay for purchases via Apple Pay.
Sign-up bonus: None
Annual fee: $0
Other benefits: The card earns 3% back on Uber, UberEATS, at Walgreens and Duane Reade, in T-Mobile stores and at Nike, then 2% cash back on Apple Pay purchases and 1% on everything else. Even more interesting, the card does not charge over-the-limit or late fees, which should give some consumers a little bit of extra breathing room.
Some cards offer bonus rewards on internet, too
If you're thinking of upgrading your internet service or simply want to earn rewards on that expense too, keep in mind that several business credit cards offer bonus points on this category. For example, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card from Chase earns 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account year (then 1% back).
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