Choosing the Best Rewards Credit Card for Entertainment Purchases

When it comes to earning rewards on credit cards, there’s no shortage of verticals to choose from, with hotel stays and airline miles being some of the more commonly known options.

But what if you could earn cash back or points for your entertainment purchases? After all, the average American spends $2,912 per year on entertainment expenses, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent Consumer Expenditure Survey.¹ That’s a monthly average of $243 for entertainment.

That may not seem like much when compared with monthly food ($610) and healthcare ($431) costs,² but it’s still a nice chunk of change upon which to earn rewards. What if you and your family have a weekly streaming marathon? Wouldn’t it be nice if you received a monthly statement credit to help cover the cost of the subscription?

That’s where credit cards with entertainment rewards come in. Use the right credit card and you could earn increased cash back or rewards points for streaming services and other various entertainment options, not to mention exclusive access to events and event presales. For example, some cards might offer up to 4% cash back on eligible concert ticket purchases, while others might offer a statement credit when you use the card to pay for eligible streaming services.

In our everyday vernacular, “entertainment” can mean anything we do to amuse ourselves outside the world of work, school, and tending to the needs of family and home. But in the credit card space, entertainment carries a more distinct definition.

Specifics vary from one credit card company to another, but in general, the “entertainment” category might include some combination of these nouns:

• Amusement parks and theme parks.
• Bowling alleys and pool halls.
• Concerts and theater productions.
• Movie tickets.
• Sporting events.
• Tourist attractions, aquariums, and zoos.
• TV, internet, and select streaming services.

Before applying, make note of how different credit cards handle your favorite forms of entertainment.

Beyond rewards and statement credits for entertainment purchases, some credit cards may also offer additional perks unavailable to the general public (unless you’re the lucky caller during a radio promotion). Sure, those concert tickets go on sale to the public of Friday, but with the right credit card, you could have presale access a day or two earlier – increasing your ticket options even if you have a fan presale code.

Specifics differ according to card and card issuer, but additional perks to look out for might include:

• Premium seating choices at select events.
• Exclusive access to certain experiences, from concerts to dining opportunities.
• Dedicated cardholder entrances at certain venues.
• Venue lounge access for eligible cardholders.
• Discounted purchases at certain venues.
• Discounted tickets to certain sporting events.

If you have a favorite venue close to where you live or work, or one that you visit frequently regardless of geography, it’s not a bad idea to explore whether the location is associated with a specific credit card company. Some venues partner with credit card companies for in-house discounts on concessions or merchandise when using their card – meaning you might be able to get a discount on that next round of beers for your friends at the game. For example, some venues might offer $5 off if you use a certain credit card for concession purchases, while others might offer a 10% off concessions discount for using your eligible card.