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Best Credit Cards for Streaming Services in 2025: Earn Up to 6% Cash Back
July 1, 2025
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Between Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Spotify, and HBO Max, the average American household now spends over $60 per month on streaming subscriptions. That's $720 annually—and a significant opportunity to earn valuable rewards if you're using the right credit card.
The challenge? Most people are leaving money on the table by using generic cards that earn just 1-2% back on streaming purchases. With specialized credit cards now offering up to 6% cash back on streaming services, you could be earning an extra $380 or more each year simply by optimizing which card you use.
In this guide, we'll break down the five best credit cards for streaming rewards in 2025, helping you turn your binge-watching habit into a rewarding financial strategy.
Why Your Card Choice Matters for Streaming
Streaming services have evolved from a luxury to a household staple. According to recent data, Americans now spend more on streaming subscriptions than they do on traditional cable. This shift hasn't gone unnoticed by credit card issuers, who've begun rolling out generous rewards specifically for digital entertainment.
Consider this scenario: If you're spending $60 monthly on streaming services ($720 annually), the difference between a standard 1% cash back card and a 6% streaming rewards card is $36 versus $43.20—that's an extra $36+ per year from just streaming alone. When you factor in multiple subscriptions and family plans, the numbers add up quickly.
The key is understanding which cards offer the best value for your specific streaming habits, whether you prioritize cash back, travel points, or statement credits.
Best Overall for Streaming: Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express stands as the undisputed champion for streaming rewards, offering an industry-leading cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
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Why It Wins: For households with multiple streaming subscriptions and regular grocery shopping, the Blue Cash Preferred typically pays for its annual fee within the first few months. If you're spending $60+ monthly on streaming, you're earning $43.20 back annually just from streaming—nearly half the annual fee covered by this category alone.
Best For: Families with multiple streaming subscriptions who also spend significantly on groceries and gas.
Best for Entertainment Bundle: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card takes a broader approach to entertainment rewards, making it perfect for those who want their streaming card to double as their dining and entertainment card.
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Why It's Valuable: This card shines when you consider the complete entertainment picture. If you're spending on concerts, movie theaters, and restaurants in addition to streaming, the cash back across all entertainment creates a compelling value proposition.
Best For: Entertainment enthusiasts who want one card for streaming, dining out, and live events.
Best No Annual Fee Option: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
For those who want solid streaming rewards without the commitment of an annual fee, the Wells Fargo Autograph® Card delivers impressive value.
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Why It Works: With no annual fee and points across multiple bonus categories, this card offers flexibility beyond streaming. The cell phone protection is an underrated perk that can save you hundreds if your phone is damaged or stolen.
Best For: Budget-conscious consumers who want solid rewards without paying an annual fee.
Best for Travel Rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is ideal for those who want to convert their streaming spending into valuable travel rewards.
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Why It's Strategic: Chase Ultimate Rewards points are among the most valuable in the rewards space. When transferred to partners like Hyatt or United, your streaming points can become premium hotel nights or business class flights. A $60 monthly streaming spend earns points annually—enough for a domestic hotel night when transferred strategically.
Best For: Travelers who want to turn everyday spending, including streaming, into aspirational travel experiences.
Best for Statement Credits: American Express® Platinum Card
For premium cardholders, the American Express Platinum Card® offers valuable statement credits that can offset streaming costs entirely.
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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Why It's Worth Considering: While the annual fee is substantial, the digital entertainment credit alone covers a significant portion of most households' streaming budgets. When combined with other Platinum benefits (airline credits, hotel status, lounge access), frequent travelers can extract tremendous value.
Best For: Frequent travelers who want premium perks and can maximize the card's extensive benefit portfolio.
How to Maximize Your Streaming Rewards
Optimizing your streaming rewards requires more than just picking the right card. Here are expert strategies to ensure you're capturing every possible dollar:
1. Set Up Automatic Payments
Configure your streaming subscriptions to auto-pay with your rewards card. This ensures you never miss earning points and maintains your subscription without interruption.
2. Verify Your Services Qualify
Not all streaming platforms code the same way with every issuer. Before committing to a card, verify your specific subscriptions are included in the bonus category. Major services like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and Spotify typically qualify, but smaller or international services may not.
3. Stack with Shopping Portals
When purchasing gift cards or annual subscriptions, check if your card's shopping portal offers additional cash back on top of your streaming rewards.
4. Consider Family Plans
If you're the primary account holder on family sharing plans, you'll earn rewards on the entire subscription cost—not just your portion. This amplifies your rewards potential significantly.
5. Track Statement Credits Closely
For cards offering monthly statement credits (like Amex Platinum's $20 digital entertainment credit), set calendar reminders to ensure you're using the full benefit each month. These credits typically don't roll over.
Using Kudos to Optimize Your Streaming Spend
Choosing the right card for streaming is just the beginning. Kudos takes the guesswork out of maximizing rewards across all your online purchases.
Here's how Kudos enhances your streaming rewards strategy:
Automatic Card Selection
Kudos' AI-powered browser extension automatically identifies which card in your wallet will earn the most rewards for each purchase—including streaming service renewals and entertainment subscriptions.
Hidden Perks Tracking
Never waste a statement credit again. Kudos' Hidden Perks feature tracks your available credits and sends alerts when you have unused benefits approaching expiration. If you have that $20 monthly digital entertainment credit on your Amex Platinum, Kudos ensures you actually use it.
Rewards Insights
Through Kudos Insights, you can see exactly how much you're earning (or missing) on streaming purchases. The average Kudos user with 2-3 cards discovers they're missing out on $441 annually in extra rewards—money that could be captured by simply using the optimal card.
Boost Merchants
Kudos identifies special Boost merchants where you can earn even higher rewards on entertainment purchases and gift card purchases that you can use for streaming services.
Sign up for Kudos for free with code "GET20" and earn $20 back after your first eligible purchase at a Boost merchant.
Bottom Line
The streaming wars have created an unexpected winner: savvy credit card users who capitalize on generous rewards programs. Whether you're earning 6% cash back with the Blue Cash Preferred, stacking entertainment rewards with Capital One Savor, or converting streaming spend into luxury travel with Chase Sapphire Preferred, there's never been a better time to optimize your entertainment spending.
The key is matching your card strategy to your specific streaming habits and broader spending patterns. For most households spending $60+ monthly on streaming subscriptions, upgrading to a card with dedicated streaming rewards can yield $200-$400+ in additional value annually—enough to cover the cost of another streaming service or two.
Remember: the best credit card for streaming is the one you'll actually use consistently and that aligns with your broader financial goals. Tools like Kudos can help ensure you're always using the optimal card, capturing every available perk, and maximizing the value of your entertainment spending.
Start optimizing your streaming rewards today and turn your binge-watching sessions into tangible financial benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which streaming services qualify for credit card rewards?
Most major streaming platforms qualify for bonus rewards, including Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Premium, and Peacock. However, eligibility varies by card issuer. Some cards exclude certain services or require subscriptions to be billed directly from the streaming service rather than through third-party platforms. Always verify your specific services with your card issuer before relying on bonus categories.
Is it worth paying an annual fee for streaming rewards?
It depends on your total entertainment spending. If you're spending $60+ monthly on streaming ($720 annually) and using a card with 6% cash back, you'll earn approximately $43 in rewards just from streaming. Add in rewards from other bonus categories like groceries or dining, and you can easily justify a $95 annual fee. Calculate your expected earnings across all bonus categories before committing to any card with an annual fee.
Can I earn rewards on family sharing plans?
Yes, as long as you're the primary account holder and the subscription bills to your rewards credit card, you'll earn rewards on the entire family plan cost. This makes family plans particularly valuable for rewards optimization, as you're earning points or cash back on a subscription that multiple people are using.
How do statement credits for streaming work?
Statement credits are automatic reimbursements applied to your account when you make eligible streaming purchases. Enrollment is typically required to activate these benefits.
Should I use different cards for different streaming services?
Generally, no. Using one optimized card for all streaming services simplifies your financial life and ensures consistent rewards earning. However, if you have a card offering specific statement credits for certain services (like Disney+ credits on some Amex cards), it may make sense to split your subscriptions strategically. Tools like Kudos can help you manage this complexity automatically.
What happens if I cancel a streaming service mid-month?
Most credit card rewards post when the charge hits your account, not when the service period ends. If you cancel mid-month, you'll still earn rewards on the prorated charge. However, for cards offering statement credits, make sure you've used the full monthly credit before canceling to avoid losing that benefit.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
