Best Credit Cards for Entertainment Spending
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It wasn't always easy to find a credit card that could reward you for painting the town in your signature color, or even for enjoying a relaxing night in front of the TV.
But whatever your definition of "entertainment," whether it's barhopping or binge-watching, there are now plenty of cards that rake in rewards for spending on fun.
Here are several credit cards that can help you maximize rewards on entertainment spending:
Top cards for entertainment spending
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: A night out
Card details
Rewards:
3% back on dining, eligible streaming services, grocery stores and entertainment.
5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Terms apply.
1% back on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening..
Annual fee: $0.
APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 19.74%-29.74% Variable APR; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months.
Why we like it
If you frequently go out on the town, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card could be an ideal companion. Stop and grab dinner first and earn triple points back per dollar spent.
Then, go earn that same rewards rate at a variety of eligible fun zones, including movies, plays, concerts, sporting events, tourist attractions, theme parks, aquariums, zoos, dance clubs, pool halls, bowling alleys and record stores.
Or stay in and binge a new show from your streaming service of choice like Netflix, Hulu or Disney+ and you'll earn 3X points on the bill.
Alternative
If dining out is your go-to, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card offers 4X points on those restaurant purchases (including takeout and delivery). It also earns 2X points at grocery stores, gas stations, EV charging stations and on purchases with streaming services. It has a $0 annual fee.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Our pick for: Entertaining at home
Card details
Rewards:
6% back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1% back).
6% back on select U.S. streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix, Spotify and Pandora.
3% back on transit (including such things as taxis, rideshares, parking, tolls, trains and buses).
3% back at U.S. gas stations.
1% on everything else.
Terms apply (see rates and fees).
Welcome offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Terms Apply.
Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
APR: 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 18.99%-29.99% Variable APR.
Why we like it
When you’re the entertainer, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express can earn you back some value on supermarket spending for a large party, barbecue or dinner celebration. And if you’re spending big on an impromptu celebration, the introductory APR offers can provide some breathing room.
The card is also a great choice even if you're cooking for one and planning to stick to the sofa and your Spotify playlist.
Alternative
If an annual fee is a deal breaker, check out the $0-annual-fee Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express; it earns lower cash-back rates at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, and you won't earn bonus rewards on streaming services or transit (see rates and fees).
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Our pick for: Moviegoers
Card details
Rewards:
5% cash back in two categories of your choice from a list (see below), on up to $2,000 spent per quarter on combined purchases.
2% back in an everyday category of your choice.
1% back on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: 0% intro APR on Purchases for 12 billing cycles and 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 billing cycles, and then the ongoing APR of 19.49%-29.49% Variable APR.
Why we like it
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card lets you choose your own bonus categories every quarter, allowing you to earn more rewards on frequent purchases. The card's 5% bonus categories include fast food and movie theaters (among several other choices). Also, one of the card's 2% categories is restaurants.
Some of the categories rotate on a quarterly basis, and you'll have to opt in every time to earn the higher rates.
Alternative
If opting in for rewards isn’t ideal, the Venmo Credit Card offers bonus rewards in two top monthly spending categories from a list of eight options that include entertainment and dining out. You earn 3% back on the highest spending category and 2% in the second highest spending category. All other purchases earn 1% back. Under the entertainment and dining out categories, movie theaters, theatrical and concert promoters, video rentals and bars qualify for the higher rewards rate. It has a $0 annual fee.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Our pick for: Travel
Card details
Rewards:
5 points per $1 spent on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
3 points per $1 spent on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout).
3 points per $1 spent on select streaming services.
3 points per $1 spent on online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).
2 points per $1 spent on travel not purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
1 point per $1 spent on other purchases.
Through March 2025: 5 points per $1 spent on Lyft.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Annual fee: $95.
APR: The ongoing APR is 21.24%-28.24% Variable APR.
Why we like it
If your version of entertainment requires a trip farther from home than the local watering hole, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card's introductory offer and ongoing rewards can help you pay for that excursion. Plus, your points earn 25% more value when you redeem them for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal.
The card has an annual fee — $95 — but you can easily offset that cost if you spend a lot on dining out.
Alternative
If you prefer a $0 annual fee, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card offers 1.5 points per dollar spent and 3 points per dollar for travel booked through Bank of America®'s Travel Center. Points redeem for a statement credit or cash. The card’s definition of travel also extends from airlines and hotels to art galleries, bars, nightclubs and restaurants, to name a few.
Citi® Double Cash Card
Our pick for: Simplicity
Card details
Rewards:
2% cash back on all purchases: 1% when you make a purchase, and 1% when you pay it off.
Welcome bonus: None.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.99%-28.99% Variable APR.
Why we like it
Entertainment optimizers can earn higher rewards rates with other cards. But with the Citi® Double Cash Card, you won't have to worry about keeping track of any categories. You'll earn a high flat rate back on all purchases.
Alternative
The PayPal Cashback Mastercard® also earns 2% cash back on most purchases, with the exception of purchases made directly via PayPal, which will earn 3% back. There's no minimum redemption required. You do, however, have to have a PayPal account, which is free to open.
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Our pick for: Live entertainment
Card details
Rewards:
5% cash back on up to $500 spent in your highest spend category per billing cycle.
1% back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: 0% intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.99%-28.99% Variable APR.
Why we like it
If live shows are your thing, the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is just the ticket for essentially earning a 5% discount.
The card offers 5% cash back on up to $500 spent if live entertainment is your highest spending category for the billing cycle. (Or, if streaming is more your thing, and it ends up being your top category, you’ll get 5% back on that.) The great thing is you don’t have to think about it. Your top eligible spending category automatically earns 5% cash back. Beware that this category is for live entertainment so some entertainment spending is excluded, such as golf courses, movie theaters, tourist attractions and museums.
Alternative
If you’re looking for exclusive access to some shows, you might try an American Express card like the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, which also has an annual fee of $0. The card’s rewards aren’t entertainment-focused, but you’ll get a benefit called American Express Experiences, which is access to tickets available exclusively to all American Express cardmembers. Terms apply, see rates and fees.
PlayStation® Visa® Credit Card
Our pick for: Gamers
Card details
Rewards:
5 points per $1 spent when you shop directly at playstation.com or the PlayStation Store.
5 points per $1 spent on Sony or PlayStation products purchased from an authorized retailer.
3 points per $1 spent on cable and internet bill payments.
2 points per $1 spent at restaurants.
1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Earn a $50 PlayStation Store code when you make your first purchase with the card within 60 days of signing up. And, earn a $75 game coupon when you spend $500 (outside of PlayStation and Sony purchases) within 60 days of card activation.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: A variable 13.99%, 19.99% or 22.74%, based upon your creditworthiness.
Why we like it
The PlayStation® Visa® Credit Card can be used instantly after approval. You’re sent a temporary shopping pass for online purchases while you’re waiting for the physical card to arrive. You may have to jump through a few hoops to earn the elevated points, but the high rewards may be worth it if you spent a lot with PlayStation. For instance, you'll have to shop with authorized retailers and submit a Sony Rewards bonus points form through the Sony Rewards app. Points redeem for Sony and PlayStation products.
Alternative
Amazon Prime loyalists who shop for hardware, accessories or games through the retailer, can also get value with the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card. It earns 5% back at Amazon.com and earns rewards in other categories. It has a $0 annual fee, but it does require an Amazon Prime membership which costs $139 annually (less for students).
Sony Visa® Credit Card
Our pick for: Sony enthusiasts
Card details
Rewards:
5 points per $1 spent on entertainment purchases.
5 points per $1 spent on Sony purchases made with authorized retailers (purchase confirmation is required).
2 points per $1 spent at restaurants, including takeout and delivery.
1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Earn 5,000 Sony Rewards points when you open and use the NEW Sony Visa® Credit Card within 60 days of account opening. Plus, earn a $50 statement credit when you spend $500 within the first 60 days of opening an account.
Annual fee: $0.
APR: A variable 13.99%, 19.99%, or 22.74%, based upon your creditworthiness.
Why we like it
The Sony Visa® Credit Card is available for use instantly after approval. While you’re waiting for the physical card to arrive in the mail, you can request that a digital shopping pass be sent to your mobile device. The card has a broad definition of what qualifies as entertainment and it rewards you generously in that category. Earning elevated rewards for Sony purchases requires shopping through qualifying retailers and uploading a photo of your receipt in the Sony Rewards app. Otherwise, you’ll only earn 1 point per dollar spent. If you’re willing to play by these rules, you could snag handsome rewards that later redeem for Sony products.
Alternative
For Sony fans who prefer a simpler approach to earning rewards, a Best Buy Credit Card can offer 5% back on all purchases at Best Buy and flexible financing options.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Our pick for: Unique experiences
Card details
Rewards:
5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
2 points per dollar on other eligible travel expenses booked with American Express Travel.
1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Terms apply.
Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
Annual fee: $695
APR: None.
Why we like it
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a great choice for those who travel enough to offset the annual fee with the card’s lavish perks. If your definition of entertainment includes travel and you value unique experiences, this card may match your lifestyle. It can get you into curated By Invitation Only experiences. These are customized events for those interested in sports, fashion, fine dining, arts or theater, to name a few. Plus, you’ll get access to a concierge service that can help you score event tickets. Terms apply (see rates and fees).
Alternative
If you can’t fathom paying a $695 annual fee, the Citi Premier® Card offers rewards in similar categories for a $95 annual fee. You’ll earn 3 ThankYou points per dollar spent on travel, hotels, supermarkets, gas stations and restaurants. All other purchases earn 1 point. Cardholders also get the Citi Entertainment perk, which offers special access to purchase tickets to events and unique experiences from concerts to dining. And, you can stay overnight because this card offers a $100 annual hotel savings benefit. Terms apply.
To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, see this page. To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
The information related to Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card. credit card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card
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