The costs of subscribing each month to streaming services, music apps, cloud storage and electronic devices can quickly add up. Maximize your savings by selecting the best credit cards for monthly subscriptions to earn cashback, reward points or statement credits on eligible recurring payments.
But not all cards offer the same benefits, and some come with annual fees or reward caps. In this guide, we look at Best Credit Cards For Monthly Subscriptions, outlining their main features, drawbacks and possible benefits to help you find the right one for your subscription costs.
How to Choose the Best Credit Card for Monthly Subscriptions?
Cashback Rewards: Opt for a credit card with cashback benefits on eligible monthly subscriptions such as streaming services, music platforms, and digital memberships to maximize savings on recurring costs.
Reward Points: Check out cards that offer reward points on recurring charges and look at their redemption value to see if you get real value from your routine subscription costs.
Annual Fees: Before you apply for a card, check the annual fee and compare it to the rewards you expect to earn for the year to see if it is still worth it.
Subscription Eligibility Find out if your subscriptions such as Netflix, Spotify, YouTube Premium and cloud storage platforms are eligible for cashback, bonus points or statement credits.
Reward Limits: Look for monthly, quarterly and annual spend limits, as these can lower your effective cashback rate if your subscription payments exceed the eligible reward limits.
Foreign Transaction Fees: If you are paying for international subscriptions, research foreign transaction fees and currency conversion charges to steer clear of extra expenses that might reduce the rewards you earn.
Automatic Payments: Look for a card that offers recurring billing and automatic payments for qualifying merchants. This can help streamline the process of managing subscriptions and also allow you to earn any applicable rewards on eligible transactions.
Interest Rates and Fees: Check the APR, late payment fees and other charges before choosing a card. Pay your statement balance in full so your subscription rewards aren’t eclipsed by interest.
How to Maximize Credit Card Rewards on Monthly Subscriptions?
Choose the Right Card: To get the most from streaming services, software and digital memberships, select a credit card that offers cashback, reward points or statement credits against eligible recurring payments.
Sort Out Your Subscriptions: Jot down your regular monthly expenses such as music subscriptions, streaming services, cloud storage, and productivity tools. Then, pair each subscription with a card that provides rewards related to those services.
Enable Auto-Pay: Add your qualifying subscriptions to automatic payments with your rewards credit card to make paying easier, prevent late payments and earn rewards wherever possible.
Reward Limits : Keep track of the monthly and quarterly limits on your cashback, so you know when you no longer qualify for bonus rewards, and spread your eligible spending across your cards when it makes sense and is allowed.
Strategically Use Multiple Cards: Assign different subscription categories to appropriate rewards cards so each payment earns the best benefit possible without missing fees, eligibility requirements or spending limits.
Review Promotional Offers: Look for qualifying introductory bonuses, statement credits and limited time offers that can boost savings, but avoid making unnecessary purchases just to qualify for rewards.
Avoid Unnecessary Fees: Compare annual fees and foreign transaction fees versus expected rewards, especially for international subscriptions, to ensure additional costs do not outweigh benefits earned.
Pay Your Balance in Full: Always pay your credit card statement in full every month. This way you’ll avoid interest charges that can quickly eat away any cashback savings and the value of rewards.
10 Best Credit Cards for Monthly Subscriptions
1. American Express Blue Cash Preferred® Card
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is one of the best cards to use for your monthly subscription purchases. It pays 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, making it especially attractive for users who subscribe to services like video and music streaming.
This card has an annual fee after the introductory period and offers increased rewards on supermarket purchases. Earn bonus cash back on recurring payments made directly to eligible streaming services. Unlike some of the category cards, there’s no separate streaming rewards cap listed which helps frequent subscription users maximize continuous rewards.
Key Features
- Get cashback on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- Provides high cashback on eligible U.S. supermarket purchases.
- Earn cash back on eligible U.S. gas station purchases.
- Introductory 0% APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers for new, eligible cardholders, when offered.
- Provides purchase protection and additional benefits for cardmembers, terms apply.
Major Limitations
- Annual fee applies.
- Streaming rewards are only valid for eligible services and qualifying transactions.
- Spending caps or limits on categories of cashback.
Some merchants don’t accept American Express
2. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for consumers who spend a lot on entertainment and digital services. It gives cash back rewards on eligible entertainment buys and can be a handy choice for ongoing subscription payments linked to streaming platforms.
Redeeming rewards is simple with no complicated points system to the card. The simple format and wide range of entertainment is liked by many users. Monthly subscriptions are a great way to earn rewards without needing to activate categories, making them perfect for households that maintain a variety of digital entertainment and lifestyle subscriptions over the course of the year.
Main features
- Get cash back on eligible entertainment purchases.
Get rewarded on eligible dining and grocery purchases. - Offers cashback on select well-known streaming services.
- Earn rewards on eligible purchases with no foreign transaction fees.
- May offer a welcome bonus for eligible new cardholders.
Main Limitations
- Bonus rewards are not offered on all digital subscriptions.
- The merchant’s eligibility determines the streaming rewards.
- Welcome bonus is subject to the relevant spend requirements.
- Rewards rates and promotional offers are subject to change
3. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
For those who want to earn travel rewards on everyday purchases including eligible streaming subscriptions, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a solid pick. It offers Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed for travel and other perks, instead of traditional cash back. There is an annual fee for the card, but you get valuable travel perks to make up for it.
Over time, recurring subscription payments can help you earn points, especially if you have several digital services in the home. Best for consumers who want to turn their monthly entertainment and subscription spending into future travel value, not direct cash rewards.
Characteristics
- Scores points for travel and dining purchases .
- Chase Ultimate Rewards provides flexible points redemption options.
- Access to partners in travel transfers.
- Includes travel protection on eligible purchases.
- May provide a welcome bonus for qualified new cardholders.
Principal Limitations
- There is an annual fee.
- No special bonus category for all monthly subscriptions.
- Some redemption choices are worth less than others.
- Travel benefits are available on eligible purchases and when following terms
4. American Express® Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum Card® emphasizes statement credits and premium benefits over straightforward cash back. Eligible cardholders can get credits for digital entertainment to help pay for some of their subscriptions. The card has a high annual fee, but the value can be huge for users who take advantage of its many benefits.
Entertainment and digital media services, as applicable based on enrollment requirements, may be included in subscription categories. Ongoing payments to eligible providers can contribute to the total value proposition of the card. Perfect for frequent travelers and premium users who benefit from multiple credit programs.
Features
- Provides a monthly credit on your digital entertainment statement for eligible subscriptions.
- Receives Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases.
- Offers free access to premium airport lounges in selected locations.
- Includes eligible hotel and travel perks.
- Includes purchase protection and other premium cardmember benefits, terms apply.
Main Limitations
- Carries a large yearly fee.
- Digital entertainment credit is subject to qualifying payments and qualifying services.
- Some benefits must be activated or reserved through selected channels.
- Not all purchases or subscriptions are eligible for rewards or statement credits
5. Citi® Strata Card®
The Citi Strata℠ Card is recognized for its versatile rewards and adjustable earning options across various spending categories. For consumers with multiple monthly subscriptions, the card can be a great way to gain points on qualifying recurring expenses. Usually the rewards are not directly cash back but rather as points .
Users have a few options for redeeming rewards . The card is designed to be flexible so that cardholders can modify their spending behavior to reward opportunities. “It’s a good option for people who want flexible rewards, as subscription payments, digital services and streaming costs can count toward rewards.
Characteristics
- Earns rewards on qualifying restaurants.
- Pays rewards on eligible grocery and supermarket purchases.
- Rewards on qualifying gas and EV charging purchases.
- Allows redemption of eligible points through Citi rewards options.
- May offer introductory offers to qualified new cardholders.
Major Limitations
- No specific bonus per every subscription service.
- Rewards vary by merchant transaction category.
- Some redemption methods might be better than others.
- Introductory offers and eligibility terms and conditions may differ
6. U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is notable for letting cardholders select specific bonus reward categories, such as streaming services. This flexibility allows users to maximize rewards on monthly subscription spends that match their spending behavior. The cash back earnings can be more valuable when streaming is chosen as a bonus category.
The card usually asks you to select a category to maximize rewards, but recurring subscription payments can provide good returns after you have set it up properly. It’s especially attractive to consumers who like to determine the workings of their rewards structure quarterly.
Main features
- Cardholders can choose from eligible cashback categories.
- Provides a high cashback rate on eligible purchases in selected categories.
• A category is introduced for the choices related to streaming in the applicable rewards program. - Gives you another category of cashback on eligible everyday spending.
- Use available account options to redeem the cashback.
Major Limitations
- Must select category to earn most rewards
- Higher cashback rates are subject to quarterly spending limits.
- Certain benefits or categories might need to be activated or selected on a quarterly basis.
- Not all digital services or subscriptions are eligible for bonus cashback
7. Wells Fargo Autograph® Card.
Wells Fargo Autograph® Card rewards on a range of everyday spending categories including eligible streaming services. It’s popular with consumers who want a simple rewards card without the bells and whistles.
You can build up rewards over time with recurring monthly subscription payments, while supplementing spending in other categories like dining, travel and transit.
The card doesn’t require rotating category activation, which is nice if you have recurring expenses . It offers long-term value for users who subscribe to multiple services throughout the year, while keeping a simple and straightforward rewards structure.
Major Features
- Accrues rewards on eligible streaming subscriptions.
- Earns rewards on qualifying dining purchases.
- Earns rewards on eligible travel and transit purchases.
- Earn rewards on eligible gas station and phone plan purchases.
- Flexible points redemption options under the rewards program.
Major Limitations
- Not all subscription services are eligible for bonus points.
- Merchant coding can impact the rewards you earn.
- Some redemption options may be worth less than others.
- Introductory offers may have qualifying spend where applicable
8. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards®
With the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards card, you can choose a rewards category to earn cash back. This feature may be useful for those who make online and subscription-related purchases regularly.
Rewards are obtained in the form of cash back which is easy to redeem and practical. Its flexible earning structure might fit well with the monthly recurring fees of streaming and digital services.
This is a particularly good card for consumers who want to customize rewards to match their own spending habits, not just rewards based on fixed categories. Users also have to keep track of reward limits since there may be spending caps on bonus categories.
Main Features
- Selection of categories such as dining, gas, travel and online shopping.
- Lets the cardholder pick an eligible cashback category.
- Additional cashback on certain grocery store and wholesale club purchases.
- Choose from the available account options to redeem cashback.
- Offer eligible new cardholders a welcome bonus.
Major Limitations
- Not all recurring subscriptions may be included in the selected category.
- Higher cashback rates are capped on spending.
- You may need to adjust the category selected to reflect your spending habits.
- Eligibility and enrollment in the account may be required for some benefits and reward rates
9. Discover it Cashback®
The Discover it® Cash Back card features rotating bonus categories quarterly, which can include digital services, streaming platforms, or online purchases. Cardholders must activate eligible categories each quarter to earn bonus rewards. This structure can provide big cash-back returns if subscription spending matches the bonus categories.
The card is often a favorite among consumers who don’t mind tracking category changes throughout the year. Qualifying subscription payments during qualifying periods receive attractive rewards, while all other purchases receive the standard rate when bonus categories are not active.
Salient Features
- Rotation of quarterly cashback categories
- Increased cashback rate on eligible purchases in activated categories.
- Earns standard rate cashback on other eligible purchases.
- First Year Cashback Match for eligible new cardmembers
- Allows redemption of cashback through available reward options.
Major Limitations
- Rotating categories need activation.
- Only eligible purchases are eligible for higher cashback rates when within quarterly limits.
- Bonus cashback is not applicable to subscription services in any case.
- The Cashback Match in year 1 is subject to eligibility and account terms
10. Chase Freedom Flex® Credit Card
The Chase Freedom Flex® is a versatile option for subscription users that provides revolving bonus categories along with continuous rewards on specific spending categories. Monthly digital service payments may help contribute to reward earnings based on active quarterly categories and eligible purchases.
You earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points for rewards and have lots of options to redeem them. There is typically no annual fee on the card, which adds to the card’s overall value proposition. Consumers seeking flexibility and long-term earning potential may find the accumulation of rewards from subscription costs, streaming services and online buying attractive.
Main Features
- Rotating cashback categories on a quarterly basis.
- Get rewarded on select dining purchases
- Get rewards on eligible drugstore purchases.
- Get extra rewards for qualifying travel when booked through Chase Travel.
- Allows you to redeem rewards through Chase rewards options available.
Principal Limitations
- Bonus cash back is limited to spending in certain categories.
- Most monthly subscriptions are charged the standard rate, unless they are in a bonus category or offer.
- Rotating categories need to be switched on
- Some rewards and promotional benefits have eligibility requirements and program terms.
Conclusion
The best credit card for your monthly subscriptions depends on your spending habits, preferred services and rewards. Cards that provide cashback, reward points or digital entertainment statement credits can help offset eligible recurring expenses. Before applying, compare annual fees, eligibility for subscription, reward limits, foreign transaction charges and other restrictions.
When used strategically, a variety of cards can help you earn the most rewards on streaming services, music apps, software tools and digital memberships. The benefits advertized may not apply to every and each subscription. To get the most bang for your buck, select a card that fits your regular spending habits, regularly track your rewards and pay your statement balance in full each month.
FAQ
Which credit card is best for monthly subscriptions?
The best credit card depends on your subscription spending and preferred rewards. Compare cashback rates, reward points, digital entertainment credits, annual fees, and eligibility restrictions before choosing a card.
Can I earn cashback on Netflix and Spotify subscriptions?
Yes, some credit cards offer cashback or rewards on eligible streaming subscriptions. However, eligibility depends on the card’s terms, merchant classification, and how the subscription payment is processed.
Is a credit card with no annual fee better for subscriptions?
A no-annual-fee card can be a good choice for users with low subscription spending. However, a card with an annual fee may offer greater value if its eligible rewards exceed its total costs.
Do all credit cards offer rewards on recurring payments?
No, not every credit card rewards recurring subscription payments equally. Some offer bonus cashback on specific categories, while others provide only standard rewards or exclude certain transactions.
