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 for U.S. websites only; 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
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
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Pros
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- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
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- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
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- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
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- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
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