I pay for Apple Music and Spotify — and I 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
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) includes complimentary Apple TV and Apple Music subscriptions worth up to $288 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.
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
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.
Fortunately, the Sapphire Reserve is a full-blown lifestyle credit card that offers tons of relevant perks and is also a great travel card, so I don't have to choose. I get 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.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.