What do credit card issuers count as entertainment purchases?
Entertainment can range from hands-on hobbies to (purposefully) mind-numbing movies -- and a whole lot of stuff in between. When credit card companies talk about rewards for entertainment purchases, the answer to what's included is often in the issuer's specific wording.
For example, if the bonus category specifically says "streaming," then it likely only includes standard video or music streaming services.
Learn more: Best Credit Cards for Streaming Services
If a card category has a broad designation, such as just "entertainment," that category could contain a wide range of traditional entertainment venues or tourist attractions. Let's take a look at the specific rules for some of the most popular rewards credit cards for entertainment.
What counts as entertainment for Capital One?
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card are perhaps the most well-known picks for entertainment. They have two categories that purchases could fall into: entertainment and streaming.
Entertainment
This category includes most of the activities we do for fun outside the home. Specifically, the Capital One entertainment category covers:
- Movie theaters
- Sports promoters
- Theatrical promoters
- Amusement parks
- Tourist attractions
- Aquariums
- Zoos
- Dance halls
- Record stores
- Pool halls
- Bowling alleys
Although this category covers a lot, there are three noticeable types of entertainment purchases not covered:
- Golf courses
- Collegiate sporting events
- Digital entertainment like streaming and cable
Streaming
Although digital entertainment isn't covered under the regular "entertainment" category, many of your in-home entertainment services fit under Capital One's "popular streaming services" umbrella.
This adds in several video and music services, including:
It's worth noting that this category isn't as broad as the streaming services included by other cards.
And it specifically does not cover:
- Amazon Prime Video
- AT&T TV
- Verizon FIOS On Demand
- Audiobook subscriptions
- Fitness programming subscriptions
Related: See The Ascent's full Verizon card review.
What counts as entertainment for Citi?
Citi currently has one credit card that specifically offers bonus rewards for entertainment purchases: the Citi Custom Cash® Card. With this card, your entertainment purchases might fall under either live entertainment or streaming.
Live entertainment
This is a fairly narrow category that strictly covers performance- or ride-based entertainment.
In particular, it includes:
- Concerts
- Live sporting events
- Live theatrical productions
- Orchestras
- Amusement parks
The live entertainment category does not include:
- Movie theaters
- Museums
- Art galleries
- Tourist attractions
- Golf courses
- Bowling alleys
Select streaming services
This category includes both music and video streaming.
It has all the usual streaming suspects, including (but not limited to):
- Amazon Prime Video
- Apple Music
- CBS All Access
- Disney+
- HBO Max
- Netflix
- Pandora
- Spotify
What counts as entertainment for American Express?
One of the most popular American Express cards for entertainment is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, which earns cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions (terms apply).
The list of eligible services is very long, and it has music, video, and audiobook services, including (but not limited to):
- Amazon Music
- Apple Music
- Audible
- Disney+
- HBO Max
- Hulu
- Kindle Unlimited
- Netflix
- Pandora
- Paramount+
- Spotify
Learn more: A Complete Guide to Amex Blue Cash Preferred Benefits
The 2021 update to The Platinum Card® from American Express added in a big statement credit for entertainment that might be useful for you. But it only covers a handful of digital subscriptions, so be sure to check what it currently covers before you sign up.
Learn more: A Complete Guide to Amex Platinum Card Benefits
Choosing the best card for entertainment
The best card for your entertainment purchases depends on which type of entertainment you consume the most. A cash rewards credit card with bonuses for digital entertainment may not include rewards for live entertainment -- or vice versa.
Whether you're buying front-row seats or just stacking streaming services, entertainment costs can add up quickly. Maximizing the rewards you earn on those purchases can make a noticeable difference in your entertainment budget's bottom line.
Learn more: How to Maximize Your Credit Card Rewards
Best cards for digital entertainment
To find the best card for digital entertainment, consider what you're specifically looking for:
- Streaming: A ton of great rewards cards come with bonus rewards for streaming services. Some cards cover more services than others, but most cover the basics like Netflix and Disney+.
- Movies: If you hit the movie theater a lot, the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card has a whole bonus category for you. Or get a card from the Capital One® Savor® family. If you'd rather buy your flicks, an Amazon, Target, Walmart, or Best Buy cobranded credit card could be valuable.
- Gaming: Options for rewards on gaming purchases include mostly cobranded cards, including Amazon and Target. Or pick up a card that rewards purchases at popular electronics stores, such as the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card, or the Best Buy Credit Card.
Learn more: Best Credit Cards for Gamers
Best cards for concerts and shows
The cards on our list with broad entertainment categories all include concerts, orchestras, and theater performances in their definitions. So, you could go with one of these options:
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Citi Custom Cash® Card
Of the three, the Citi Custom Cash® Card is arguably the best credit card for concerts. For one, it offers up to 5% cash back on concerts (when you qualify for live entertainment as your bonus category; $500 purchase cap a month). Plus, Citi is considered one of the best issuers for access to presale concert tickets.
Love concerts? Check out The Ascent's guide to the best credit cards for concert tickets.
Best cards for theme parks
When it comes to amusement or theme parks, you have two routes for a rewards card:
- A live entertainment card: These cards, like the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Citi Custom Cash® Card, offer rewards for purchases at amusement parks. These are the most useful if you like to visit different types of parks.
- A Disney credit card: Disney offers its own credit cards with perks for Disney fans and guests. The rewards you earn are only good toward Disney purchases.
Other ways to get entertainment perks from your credit cards
Although we've focused a lot on maximizing your credit card's rewards, that's not the only way to take advantage of your cards for entertainment. Many major issuers have special programs or shopping portals where you can find extra entertainment perks or deals. Most are open to anyone with card membership, even if you have a card with no annual fee.
American Express entertainment benefits
Amex cardholders have a few options to get in on something special. For example, through Preferred Seating, you can unlock premium seats for select events. If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express, you can access By Invitation Only®. This service provides access to a range of events, from sports to fashion to live performances (terms apply).
Chase entertainment benefits
Although the option for things like presale tickets is limited, Chase credit cards do have other benefits. Cardholders can use Chase Experiences® at select venues for special deals, preferred seating, or entry into the Chase Lounge.
Capital One entertainment benefits
Capital One's Premier Access benefit gives cardholders a way to get concert and music festival tickets, as well as access to on-site cardholder lounges at select events. You can also enjoy VIP experiences for eligible sporting events.
Citi entertainment benefits
The Citi Entertainment® portal is a popular place to buy hard-to-find tickets for in-demand entertainment. In particular, Citi is often regarded as the best issuer when it comes to presale concert tickets.