I pay for Apple Music and Spotify — soon, I'll get both for the price of one thanks to this card
These days, streaming subscription services abound. Whether you use them to watch your favorite shows or listen to your favorite bands, the market is saturated with options.
I'm a huge fan of two music streaming platforms that I use daily: Apple Music (family plan) and Spotify Premium (an individual ad-free plan).
You might wonder why I'd pay for two platforms that essentially offer the same service. Let me explain.
Apple TV and Apple Music Chase Sapphire Reserve benefit
I was thrilled to see that the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) refresh earlier this year included complimentary Apple TV and Apple Music subscriptions worth up to $250 annually (through June 22, 2027).
Because my Sapphire Reserve will cover most of the cost of my Apple Music subscription, it's like I'm getting two subscriptions for the price of one. There's one small caveat, though — more on that in a bit.
I've been an Apple Music devotee for years. When it comes to Spotify, though, I have a history of flip-flopping back and forth with the free version because I've never been keen on paying twice for what I deem to be the same service (don't come for me, Spotify enthusiasts).
This was the case until a three-month ad-free Spotify trial offer popped up on my laptop last year, and I figured, "Why not?"
Fast forward to the present, where I now pay for both Apple Music and Spotify Premium (because nothing kills a vibe like several ads between every other song). After testing out the features of the premium plan, I became a Spotify convert, especially because the paid subscription comes with 15 ad-free hours of audiobook listening, and the library is vast.
To me, this is where Apple Music falls short. To access audiobooks (and e-books), I have to open the Apple Books app. With Spotify, my music, audiobooks and even podcasts all live in the same space. When the free trial ended, I decided Spotify Premium was worth keeping.
Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review: Luxury perks coupled with valuable rewards
A caveat for existing Sapphire Reserve cardholders
That caveat that I previously mentioned applies to existing cardholders who already had a Sapphire Reserve before June 23.
Because I've had my Sapphire Reserve for almost two years, I will not have access to the refreshed earning rates, credits and other updated benefits on this card until Oct. 26.
If you don't fall into this cardholder pool and instead received your Sapphire Reserve after June 23 of this year, you get immediate access to every benefit this card offers.
Related: Your biggest Chase Sapphire Reserve questions answered: From bonus eligibility to earning rates
Other streaming services and cards that cover them
If you're into earning streaming credits and the possibility of completely offsetting the costs of a streaming service, the Sapphire Reserve isn't the only card to consider.
Looking for a card with a much lower annual fee? I can vouch for the value the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers. Plus, it features a more palatable $95 annual fee ($0 intro annual fee for the first year; see rates and fees) compared to the Sapphire Reserve's $795 fee.
The Blue Cash Preferred works double time, earning 6% cash back* in two key categories: at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%) and on U.S. streaming subscriptions.
The value doesn't stop there, though. The cherry on top is the up to $120 in Disney Streaming statement credits you can earn as a cardholder every calendar year (up to $10 each month; valid at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites; enrollment is required; subject to auto-renewal).
*Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
Looking for a no-annual-fee option that earns elevated rates for streaming purchases? The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent fit. This card will net you 3% cash back on popular streaming services on top of 1% cash back across all purchases that fall outside of its main bonus categories.
The icing on the cake here? The cash-back rates for the Savor Cash Rewards card are uncapped, so you can earn an unlimited amount of cash back on every purchase you charge to this card.
If you're keen on having a premium card that offers solid streaming credits and isn't the Sapphire Reserve, look no further than The Platinum Card® from American Express. It offers an up to $300 digital entertainment statement credit each year, disbursed as $25 each month (enrollment required). You can put the credit toward streaming subscriptions like Disney+, Disney+ Bundle and Peacock, as well as new additions to the lineup: Paramount+, YouTube Premium and YouTube TV.
Related: How to use the Amex Platinum digital entertainment credit
Bottom line
For months, I've gone back and forth between wanting to cancel my paid Spotify Premium account to save some extra money and not wanting to give up the easy, uninterrupted access to audiobooks and podcasts the platform offers.
Now that my Sapphire Reserve is a full-blown lifestyle credit card that offers tons of relevant perks and is also a great travel card, I don't have to choose. Soon, I'll be able to enjoy a complimentary Apple Music subscription and keep my Spotify Premium subscription while only paying for the latter.
Related: Get Apple TV and Apple Music with your Chase Sapphire Reserve
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
TPG featured card
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees