Netflix and Earn: Get the Most Points and Miles for Your Netflix Subscription [2023]

With the emergence of streaming services, credit cards are offering incentives to pay for your subscription costs.
Last updated March 24, 2023 | By Brett Holzhauer
Couple watching television on couch

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Streaming services are blowing up in popularity globally. In fact, March 2019 marked the first time where the number of digital subscriptions such as Netflix surpassed the number of cable TV subscriptions. This is a remarkable feat, but a long time coming as cord-cutting has become increasingly popular.

If you are considering a Netflix subscription, it’s a great option. Netflix lets you binge-watch thousands of titles, wherever you are in the world. To add to the enjoyment, the right rewards credit card can help you save money on your Netflix subscription.

In this article

How much does Netflix cost?

Netflix has three different plans to choose from, ranging in price from $8.99 to $15.99/month. The cost is much more reasonable than paying for Satellite or Cable TV. On average, Satellite TV cost $100/month, while the average cable bill was $85/month in 2018. You can save some serious money by cutting the cord and switching to Netflix.

Each Netflix plan offers different services, like the ability to watch on multiple screens or in HD. Regardless of which option you choose, you will have access to the same content.

Netflix Basic plan

The Netflix Basic plan will currently run you $8.99/month, with your first month free. This is the most cost-effective plan. It comes with basic access to Netflix, no HD option, and you can only watch on one screen at a time.

This Basic option is perfect for someone that doesn’t plan on sharing access to their Netflix account and doesn’t mind not having HD quality. If you and your partner enjoy binge-watching your favorite content together and you aren’t fussy about picture quality, the Basic plan might be your best bet.

Netflix Standard plan

The Netflix Standard plan is currently $12.99/month, with your first month free. This mid-tier subscription option will get you a few more perks than the Basic plan. With the Standard plan, you will have access to HD content, and you will be able to stream on two devices at once.

This plan is great for a couple or someone who wants to watch in HD. The HD content will come in handy if you enjoy hosting movie nights with friends or family regularly, as many people appreciate HD picture quality.

Netflix Premium plan

The Netflix Premium plan is currently $15.99, with your first month free. This is the highest tier Netflix subscription plan. As a Premium subscriber, you will have access to HD and Ultra HD content, and be able to stream content on four screens at once.

This plan is excellent for families, or groups of friends looking to split a subscription plan to save money. If you and three friends are on a tight budget, you can very easily split the subscription cost four ways, and enjoy HD quality Netflix for the low price of $4 per month.

What are the best credit cards for Netflix?

If saving money and earning valuable credit card rewards from your Netflix subscription is high on your list of priorities, check out the three credit cards below. Each card will reward you handsomely when you use it to pay for your Netflix account.

Card Rewards rate Annual fee
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on eligible transit, and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases $95 (waived first year) (Terms apply)
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card 5% cash back on two categories you choose (up to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter) and on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center; 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations/EV charging stations, grocery stores, or restaurants; and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases $0
Chase Freedom Flex℠ 5% on rotating quarterly categories (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal; 3% at restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and drugstores; and 1% on all other purchases $0

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is an excellent card for someone looking to earn cash back on your everyday purchases, including streaming services. With a wide array of expenses for earning cash back in the form of a statement credit, this is a strong contender for one of the best cashback credit cards out there.

American Express Blue Cash Preferred cardmembers earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on eligible transit, and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases. And since this card offers 6% cash back on U.S. streaming services, you can save big on your subscriptions. For example, if you are spending $25/month on subscription services, you will save an extra $18 per year, by simply using this card to pay for your content streaming. You will receive your cash back as a statement credit.

While the card does come with an annual fee of $95 (waived first year), the cost is worth it for the perks you get. It provides a generous welcome offer — new cardmembers can earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Plus, the cash back you earn from your Netflix subscription and other spending will show up as a statement credit and help offset the cost of the annual fee.

Learn more about this card with our full Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card review.

U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is built for earning major cash back based on what your expenses are. Cardholders will earn 5% cash back on two categories you choose (up to $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter) and on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Center; 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations/EV charging stations, grocery stores, or restaurants; and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. 

Your two chosen 5% categories can be selected from this list:

  • TV, Internet & Streaming Services
  • Fast Food
  • Cell Phone Providers
  • Department Stores
  • Home Utilities
  • Select Clothing Stores
  • Electronics Stores
  • Sporting Goods Stores
  • Movie Theaters
  • Gyms/Fitness Centers
  • Furniture Stores
  • Ground Transportation

If you’re a Netflix subscriber, you can choose to earn cash back on streaming services, plus one other category that you spend the most on.

Additionally, you can earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening. By earning the welcome bonus and using the card to pay for your Premium Netflix subscription in the first year, you’ll net just under $160 in cash back.

This card offers great value for streaming services subscribers, and it has an annual fee of $0.

Learn more about this card with our full U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card review.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is a great option for earning significant cash back over time. With the Chase Freedom Flex, you will earn 5% on rotating quarterly categories (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal; 3% at restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and drugstores; and 1% on all other purchases. The Chase Freedom categories are announced quarterly.

While you might earn 5% cash back on your Netflix subscription for only three months, you will also be able to earn $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months. Similar to the other card options above, the Chase Freedom Flex Card has a $0 annual fee.

Note: If you already have the older Chase Freedom card, you can also enjoy possible Netflix savings if streaming services come up in the rotating Chase Freedom bonus category.

Learn more about this card with our full Chase Freedom Flex Card review.

Methodology

We chose these credit cards for one simple reason — they are all some of the best rewards credit cards that offer the ability to earn significant cash back or rewards from your Netflix subscription.

You may be asking yourself “wait, how much does Netflix cost? Only 9 dollars? What kind of real rewards or cash back could I possibly earn?”

Well, over one month or two months, not much. However, many Netflix users keep their subscriptions for a while, as the average user watches over one hour of content every day. Over a year or two, you could earn sizeable cash back or travel rewards by using a rewards card to pay for your Netflix subscription.

Outside of paying for Netflix, these cards can also increase your cashback savings on other purchases such as groceries, gas, and other streaming subscriptions that you may have.

The bottom line on the best credit cards for Netflix

Choosing the right credit card is a very personal decision. There is no “best” credit card. The best credit card is the one that will offer you maximum rewards your Netflix subscriptions and other purchases as well.

With the right credit card, you can binge-watch Netflix knowing you are earning rewards to make your subscription slightly cheaper than what you paid. It’s a win-win!

#1 Cash Back at Supermarkets

Current Offer

Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months

Annual Fee

$95 (waived first year)

Rewards Rate

6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on eligible transit, and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

  • Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months
  • 6% cash back on U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services
  • 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and eligible transit
  • Introductory APR for purchases and balance transfers
  • Annual fee of $95 (waived first year). Terms apply.

Drawbacks

  • Has foreign transaction fee
Card Details
  • Earn a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months
  • 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (for first $6,000 per year, after that 1%) and on select U.S. streaming services, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on eligible transit, and 1% cash back on other eligible purchases
  • Intro purchase 0% APR offer: 0% for 12 months then 18.74% - 29.74% (variable)
  • Intro balance transfer 0% APR offer: 0% for 12 months then 18.74% - 29.74% (variable)
  • Terms apply

Author Details

Brett Holzhauer Brett Holzhauer is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. He writes about using points & miles for travel, travel industry news, utilizing credit cards as financial leverage, and investing for the future. He has been featured in publications such as The Points Guy, Million Mile Secrets, The Money Manual, Recruiter, Travel Pulse, and Bald Thoughts. He is a full-time digital nomad with his wife, Kiersten.