Finding the best credit card for your Netflix subscription might seem trivial, but maximizing your rewards on recurring expenses can significantly impact your overall savings. Many credit cards offer bonus rewards for streaming services, making it worthwhile to choose the right one to optimize your spending and earn cash back, points, or miles. This article dives deep into the best credit cards for Netflix, considering factors like rewards rates, annual fees, and additional perks.
Best Credit Cards for Netflix: A Comparison
| Credit Card | Rewards Program | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Flex | 5% on rotating quarterly categories (often includes streaming), 1% on everything else. | No annual fee, signup bonus, rotating categories require activation, excellent for maximizing rewards on various spending types. |
| Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores; 1% everywhere else. | No annual fee, 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, good for everyday spending, easy to redeem rewards. |
| U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card | 5% cash back on two categories you choose each quarter (streaming services are an option), 2% on gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants, 1% on everything else. | No annual fee, choose your own bonus categories, requires quarterly activation, offers flexibility in rewards selection. |
| Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%), 6% on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% on transit and at U.S. gas stations, 1% everywhere else. | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95, high rewards rate on groceries and streaming, Amex Offers provide additional savings. |
| Discover it® Cash Back | 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (often includes streaming), 1% on everything else. | No annual fee, Discover matches all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, rotating categories require activation, simple rewards structure. |
| Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card | 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership, 2% back at restaurants and gas stations, 1% back on all other purchases. | No annual fee (with Amazon Prime membership), generous rewards for Amazon and Whole Foods shoppers, easy to redeem rewards. |
| Citi Custom Cash® Card | 5% cash back on your top spending category each billing cycle (up to $500 spent per billing cycle, then 1%), 1% on everything else. | No annual fee, automatic rewards based on your highest spending category, ideal for those with varied spending habits, simplifies reward tracking. |
| American Express® Gold Card | 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1x), 4x points at restaurants worldwide, 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 1x point on all other eligible purchases. | $250 annual fee, high rewards rate on dining and groceries, valuable Membership Rewards points, monthly Uber Cash and dining credits can offset the annual fee. |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services, 2x points on all other travel purchases, 1x point on all other purchases. | $95 annual fee, valuable Ultimate Rewards points, travel and purchase protection benefits, earns bonus points on many streaming services. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card | 10x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining and travel, 1x point on all other purchases. | $550 annual fee, premium travel benefits, high rewards rate on travel and dining, travel credit and Priority Pass membership can offset the annual fee. |
Detailed Explanations
Chase Freedom Flex: This card is a great option due to its rotating 5% cash back categories, which often include streaming services. The catch is that you need to activate these categories each quarter. Outside of the bonus categories, you earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. The card has no annual fee, making it a low-risk option for maximizing rewards.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: The SavorOne offers 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores. This makes it a solid choice for everyday spending, especially if you frequently dine out or use streaming services. There's no annual fee and you also get 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card: This card allows you to choose two 5% cash back categories each quarter, and streaming services are often an eligible option. You also earn 2% cash back on gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants, with 1% on everything else. Like the Chase Freedom Flex, activation is required each quarter. This card offers great flexibility in choosing your reward categories.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: This card stands out with its 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%). It also offers 3% on transit and at U.S. gas stations, and 1% everywhere else. While it has a $95 annual fee (after the first year's $0 intro fee), the high rewards rate can make it worthwhile if you spend a significant amount on groceries and streaming. Amex Offers are an added bonus.
Discover it® Cash Back: Similar to the Chase Freedom Flex, the Discover it® Cash Back card offers 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories, which frequently include streaming services. You earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. The card has no annual fee, and Discover matches all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, effectively doubling your rewards. Activation of the quarterly categories is required.
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card: If you're an Amazon Prime member, this card is a no-brainer. You get 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2% back at restaurants and gas stations, and 1% back on all other purchases. There's no annual fee (with an Amazon Prime membership), and rewards are easy to redeem on Amazon.
Citi Custom Cash® Card: This card automatically gives you 5% cash back on your top spending category each billing cycle (up to $500 spent per billing cycle, then 1%). If Netflix is your highest spending category in a given month, you'll earn 5% back. This card simplifies reward tracking and is ideal for those with varied spending habits. The card has no annual fee.
American Express® Gold Card: While it has a higher annual fee ($250), the Amex Gold Card offers 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1x) and 4x points at restaurants worldwide. While not specifically for streaming, the Membership Rewards points can be incredibly valuable, especially if you redeem them for travel. The included monthly Uber Cash and dining credits can help offset the annual fee.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: With a $95 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services, 2x points on all other travel purchases, and 1x point on all other purchases. It's a great option for earning valuable Ultimate Rewards points, especially if you also spend on dining and travel.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card: This premium card comes with a $550 annual fee but offers extensive travel benefits, including 10x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, and 3x points on dining and travel. While not directly focused on streaming, the high rewards rate on dining and travel, coupled with benefits like a travel credit and Priority Pass membership, can offset the annual fee for frequent travelers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which credit card offers the most cash back on Netflix?
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, making it a top contender. However, the Chase Freedom Flex and Discover it® Cash Back cards may offer 5% cash back on streaming as part of their rotating quarterly categories.
Are there any credit cards with no annual fee that offer rewards on Netflix?
Yes, the Chase Freedom Flex, Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card, Discover it® Cash Back, and Citi Custom Cash® Card all offer rewards on streaming services with no annual fee.
Should I choose a card with rotating categories or fixed rewards?
It depends on your spending habits. Rotating categories can maximize rewards, but require activation and planning. Fixed rewards offer consistent rewards without the need to track and activate categories.
Are rewards points or cash back better?
It depends on your preference. Cash back is straightforward and easy to redeem, while rewards points can offer higher value if redeemed strategically for travel or other specific purposes.
How do I redeem rewards from these credit cards?
Rewards can typically be redeemed for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, or travel through the credit card issuer's website or app. Some cards, like those in the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, offer additional redemption options, such as transferring points to airline or hotel partners.
Conclusion
Choosing the best credit card for your Netflix subscription depends on your overall spending habits, whether you prefer cash back or rewards points, and your willingness to manage rotating categories. Cards like the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offer consistent rewards on streaming services, while the Chase Freedom Flex and Discover it® Cash Back provide opportunities for higher rewards through rotating categories. Consider your spending patterns and preferences to select the card that best suits your needs and maximizes your savings.