Entertainment is one of the most enjoyable aspects of life, but it can also be one
of the most expensive. Whether you love going to concerts, movies, sporting events, or streaming
your favorite shows, you may be spending a lot of money on these activities every month.
Fortunately, there are ways to save money on entertainment without sacrificing your fun. One of
the best ways is to use credit card points to get discounts, cash back, rewards, and exclusive
access to events and experiences. In this article, we will show you how to save money on
entertainment with credit card points, and what are the best deals and offers available for
different types of entertainment.
## How to Save Money on Entertainment with Credit Card
Points
Credit card points are rewards that you earn when you use your credit card to make
purchases. Depending on the type of credit card you have, you may earn points for every dollar
you spend, or for spending in certain categories, such as dining, travel, or entertainment. You
can then redeem your points for various benefits, such as:
- Cash back. You can use your
points to get a statement credit or a direct deposit to your bank account, which can help you
pay off your credit card balance or save for other expenses.
- Gift cards. You can use your
points to get gift cards from popular retailers, restaurants, or entertainment providers, which
can help you save money on your purchases or give as gifts to others.
- Travel. You can use
your points to book flights, hotels, car rentals, or vacation packages, which can help you save
money on your travel expenses or plan your next trip.
- Merchandise. You can use your points
to shop for products from online catalogs or partner websites, which can help you get items that
you need or want for yourself or others.
- Experiences. You can use your points to access
exclusive events, tickets, and experiences, such as concerts, sports, theater, museums, and
more, which can help you enjoy your hobbies and passions or try something new.
To save
money on entertainment with credit card points, you need to choose a credit card that offers the
best rewards for your spending habits and preferences. You also need to use your credit card
strategically to maximize your points earning and redemption. Here are some tips to help you do
that:
- Compare different credit cards and choose the one that offers the most points or
cash back for entertainment purchases, such as the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card¹
or the Citi Premier® Card².
- Check the terms and conditions of your credit card and make
sure you understand the eligibility, redemption, and expiration of your points. For example,
some credit cards may require you to activate your bonus categories every quarter, or may limit
the number of points you can earn or redeem per year.
- Pay attention to the promotional
offers and bonus opportunities that your credit card may offer from time to time, such as
sign-up bonuses, referral bonuses, or limited-time deals with partner merchants or entertainment
providers. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card³ offers a generous welcome bonus and
allows you to transfer your points to other travel partners, such as airlines and hotels.
-
Use your credit card for all your entertainment purchases, as well as other eligible categories,
such as dining, travel, or groceries, to earn more points. However, make sure you pay off your
balance in full every month to avoid interest charges and fees that may cancel out your
rewards.
- Redeem your points for the best value and the most savings, depending on your
goals and preferences. For example, if you want to save money on entertainment, you may want to
redeem your points for cash back, gift cards, or experiences, rather than travel or merchandise.
You may also want to compare the redemption value of your points across different options and
choose the one that gives you the most bang for your buck.
## The Best Deals and Offers
for Entertainment with Credit Card Points
There are many deals and offers that you can
take advantage of with your credit card points to save money on entertainment. Here are some of
the best ones for different types of entertainment:
- Live entertainment. If you love
going to concerts, sports, theater, or other live events, you may want to use your credit card
points to get discounts, cash back, or exclusive access to these events. For example, the Citi
Custom Cash® Card⁴ offers 5% cash back on live entertainment purchases, up to $500 spent per
billing cycle. The Platinum Card® from American Express⁵ offers access to presale tickets,
preferred seating, and VIP experiences for select events through the American Express
Experiences program⁶.
- Streaming services. If you love watching movies, shows, or music on
your devices, you may want to use your credit card points to get discounts, cash back, or free
subscriptions to these services. For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American
Express⁷ offers 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, Spotify,
and more. The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card¹ offers 4% cash back on eligible
streaming services, such as Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, and more.
- Movie theaters. If you love
going to the movies, you may want to use your credit card points to get discounts, cash back, or
free tickets to these theaters. For example, the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card⁸ offers
5% cash back on movie theater purchases, up to $2,000 spent per quarter. The Marvel Mastercard®⁹
offers 10% off merchandise purchases at MarvelShop.com and 20% off tickets at Fandango for
select Marvel movies.
- Gaming. If you love playing video games, you may want to use your
credit card points to get discounts, cash back, or free memberships to these gaming platforms.
For example, the PlayStation® Card[^10^] offers 5 points per dollar spent on PlayStation™ Store
purchases, PlayStation® and Sony® products, and PlayStation® Plus and PlayStation™ Now
subscriptions. The Xbox All Access Credit Card¹¹ offers no upfront cost and 0% APR for 24 months
on Xbox All Access bundles, which include an Xbox console and a 24-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
membership.
## Conclusion
Entertainment is a great way to have fun, relax, and
enjoy life, but it can also be costly. By using credit card points, you can save money on
entertainment and get more value from your spending. You just need to choose the right credit
card for your entertainment needs, use it wisely to earn and redeem points, and take advantage
of the best deals and offers for different types of entertainment. With credit card points, you
can make your entertainment budget go further and have more fun without breaking the
bank.
FAQs
Q: How do I find the best credit card for entertainment?
A:
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as different credit cards may suit
different people depending on their spending habits, preferences, and goals. However, some
general factors to consider when choosing a credit card for entertainment are:
- The
rewards rate and categories. You want a credit card that offers a high rewards rate and covers
the entertainment categories that you spend the most on, such as dining, live events, streaming
services, movie theaters, or gaming.
- The redemption options and value. You want a credit
card that offers a variety of redemption options and a high redemption value for your points,
such as cash back, gift cards, travel, merchandise, or experiences.
- The annual fee and
interest rate. You want a credit card that has a low or no annual fee and a low or 0% interest
rate, especially if you plan to carry a balance or finance a large purchase with your credit
card.
- The additional benefits and features. You want a credit card that offers additional
benefits and features that enhance your entertainment experience, such as discounts, cash back,
or exclusive access to events and experiences.
Q: How do I use my credit card points for
entertainment?
A: To use your credit card points for entertainment, you need to follow
these steps:
- Log in to your credit card account online or through the mobile app.
-
Go to the rewards section and browse the available redemption options and offers for
entertainment.
- Choose the option or offer that you want and follow the instructions to
redeem your points.
- Enjoy your entertainment reward and save money on your purchase.