Streaming Costs Are Out of Control. These 7 Credit Cards Can Help

Simply seeing I have an email from a streaming service is usually enough to make my blood pressure rise. I just know it's going to be yet another rate increase. (Just last week reports hit of Max increasing prices again.) It's never ending.

And yet. Here I am, paying the higher prices just to keep the shows flowing. Well, that, and looking for ways to also cut how much it's costing me to do so.

One of my go-to methods for years has been using my credit cards. You can find everything from credits and discounts to bonus rewards for streaming purchases. Here are some examples.

1. Amex Blue Cash Preferred

This card packs a one-two punch against streaming costs. For one thing, it has the highest cash back rewards rate I've seen on streaming: You get 6% cash back on eligible U.S. streaming services. Terms apply.

Additionally, cardholders are eligible for the $84 Disney Bundle credit. This is a monthly $7 statement credit you earn if you spend $9.99 or more on an eligible, auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription using your card. (Enrollment required; terms apply.)

2. Citi Custom Cash Card

If your streaming bill is worthy of a dedicated rewards card, consider this one. Cardholders earn 5% cash back on "select streaming services" when that's their top spending category for the month. Bonus cash back is capped at $500 in category purchases each month, which is more than enough to cover your monthly fees even if you have multiple streaming services.

3. Chase Sapphire Preferred

If you'd rather earn travel rewards than cash back, consider this popular points card. You'll earn 3X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on eligible streaming services. Ultimate Rewards can be transferred to hotel and airline partners and redeemed for free travel.

When used for travel, points are worth at least $0.0125 each, giving you an effective rewards rate of 3.75%. However, transferred points can often be redeemed for values of $0.02 to $0.03 per point (or more). With that rate, you could see an effective return of 6% to 9% on your streaming.

4. Wells Fargo Autograph Card

This card does a little bit of everything, but what we're interested in here is the 3X points per dollar on "popular streaming services." Points are generally worth $0.01, so you're effectively getting 3% back on streaming. The card also has several other useful bonus categories, making this a good choice if you want to cover multiple categories with one card.

5. Amex Platinum Card

You won't earn bonus rewards on streaming here, but that hardly matters since you could get up to $240 a year in statement credit back on your eligible streaming purchases. The credit covers subscriptions to Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. (Enrollment required; terms apply.)

6. U.S. Bank Cash+

What's better than getting 5% cash back on streaming? Getting 5% back on streaming plus internet and cable. Oh, and then getting 5% back in a second category, too! You get all of this -- and more -- with the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card.

You can choose two 5% back categories from a list of options:

• Cellphone providers
• Department stores
• Electronics stores
• Fast food
• Furniture stores
• Ground transportation
• Gyms/fitness centers
• Home utilities
• Movie theaters
• Select clothing stores
• Sporting goods stores
• TV, internet, & streaming services

Your 5% bonus rewards are capped at $2,000 in combined category purchases each quarter, which also gives you a chance to choose new categories if you want. You'll also need to activate your categories every quarter to ensure you earn your bonus rewards.

7. Capital One Savor

This is another good option if you want to cover multiple categories with one card. The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card earns an unlimited 4% cash back on eligible streaming services.

Additionally, you'll get 4% back on dining and entertainment, plus 3% back at grocery stores. You do need to pay an annual fee for this card, however. If you don't mind a smaller 3% rewards rate on streaming, dining, and entertainment, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee.

Battle rising prices with rewards

I try to cycle through streaming services so that I'm not paying for what I'm not watching. But even with that, the companies constantly increasing their prices mean we have to find new ways to save on streaming. If you haven't already, consider picking up one of these credit cards to help make it that much more affordable.