Writer: Matt Walker
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Jon McDonald
Disclosure: When you apply through links on our site, we may earn a referral fee from our partners. For more, see our ad disclosure and review policy.
The subscription economy has grown by more than 400% in recent years. This hasn’t gone unnoticed by banks, who have curated some of the best credit cards for subscriptions.
Whether you’re a Netflix and chill type of person, would like to broaden your music catalog with Spotify, or want to settle in to read the book of the month on Audible, there’s a subscription for just about any hobby or interest.
And while most of these subscriptions are paid monthly, the best card options below offer rewards that can lower your subscription fees and even give you added benefits to your monthly plan.
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Best Cards For Food Subscriptions (HelloFresh, Postmates, Etc.)
If you’re more into steaming than streaming, a good food subscription may be for you.
Whether you like food you can prepare yourself, or a fresh-cooked meal delivered to your doorstep from your favorite restaurant, these cards provide benefits that can make your next lunch or dinner much more affordable.
- Earn as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- Earn 4X Points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases. Also earn 4X Points at restaurants on up to $50,000 per year in purchases, 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com or Amex Travel App™, 3X points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com or Amex Travel App™ or directly through airlines, and 2X points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- No foreign transaction fees
- $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at participating partners. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide every time you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or Amex Travel App™
- $325 Annual Fee
The American Express® Gold Card provides 4X points for restaurant purchases and a $10 monthly Uber credit, which can be used for Uber Eats deliveries. The benefit is good for up to $120 annually, and is credited to your Uber Cash balance, which you can then use to help pay for a future order (or an Uber ride, whichever you prefer).
- Earn $200 back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership
- 3% cash back on groceries from U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
- 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
- 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 1% back on other purchases
- Introductory 0% APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable rate applies
- Find out if you Pre-Qualify for the Blue Cash Everyday® Card or other offers in as little as 30 seconds
- $0 Annual Fee
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card provides plenty of flexibility for cardholders who shop online. It offers 3% cash back on online purchases, which include subscriptions to HelloFresh or Postmates. To qualify as an online purchase, the issuer requires the payment to be made online and for the merchant to categorize it as an internet transaction.
- For a limited time, earn a one-time $250 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- Top rated mobile app
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers slightly lower rewards than its sibling, but doesn’t charge an annual fee. With this card, you’ll earn 3% cash back on dining, grocery stores, and entertainment — including many popular meal subscription services — as well as 1% on all other purchases.
Best Cards For Streaming Services (HBO, Netflix, Etc.)
Gone are the days of heading to Blockbuster to rent a movie or to Turtles to look for a new record or CD. Today, you can watch thousands of movies or listen to millions of songs without leaving your couch or struggling to remove the wrapping from a DVD or CD case.
And, with one of the cards below, you can lower the cost associated with accessing these media libraries.
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year on purchases (then 1%). Also earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- Earn 3% cash back on transit, including U.S. gas stations, taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more. All other purchases earn 1% cash back.
- Card Members have access to purchase tickets® through Amex Presale Tickets® and Amex Reserved Tickets® to select can't-miss events and moments across sports, music, and more (while supplies last).
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR applies
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express pays out a whopping 6% cash back when you charge any U.S.-based streaming subscription to the card. That significantly cuts the cost of popular services, including Netflix, HBO Now, and Spotify.
- For a limited time, earn a one-time $250 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- Top rated mobile app
If you’re a student, the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is for you. It offers the same rewards as the card above, but doesn’t require a good credit history for approval. It is designed for students to help them build their credit, and upon graduation, may become the non-student version of the card.
Best Cards For Amazon Prime Subscriptions
Amazon’s popular Prime membership made its debut in 2006 as a way for members to get free two-day shipping on qualifying Amazon orders. Over the years, Prime has expanded into a media subscription that provides access to a substantial music, movie, and television database — while still offering the same shipping perks.
- Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
- Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
- No annual credit card fee
- No more waiting. Redeem daily rewards at Amazon.com as soon as the next day
- Member FDIC
Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Prime Visa was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.
The Prime Visa adds to its popular service by providing cardholders with 5% cash back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Markets, as well as 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores. All other purchases earn an unlimited 1% cash back. New cardholders also receive an Amazon gift card upon approval.
8. Amazon Business Prime Card
This card is currently not available.
The Amazon Business Prime American Express Card is the business version of the card above, offering the same generous rewards for Amazon purchases and renewal fees. There is no annual fee, but you will still need to pay the Prime Membership fee. It is one of the best business credit card options out there if you regularly make Amazon purchases.
Best Cards For Other Subscriptions (Ipsy, BarkBox, Etc.)
Subscriptions aren’t just for food or media. Whether you’re into beauty supplies, fashion, or pet accessories, there’s a subscription for you. The cards below help you unlock discounts and bonus cash back when you use them to pay your monthly bill.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.
The Citi Double Cash® Card doesn’t offer a specific deal for subscription purchases, but its 2X points on all purchases makes up for it. With this card, you’ll earn 1 point when you make a purchase and 1 more point when you pay it off, no matter the purchase.
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
- No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Select your card design option when you apply – the Customized Cash Rewards design, or the limited-time FIFA World Cup 2026™ design.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% - 27.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers its highest cash back percentage in the category of your choosing — one of which is online shopping — up to the quarterly purchase limit. This includes subscriptions you sign up for online. You’ll also earn 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs as well as 1% back on all other purchases.
- Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Chase Freedom Unlimited® was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.
With the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you won’t pay an annual fee while earning cash back (in the form of Chase Ultimate Reward points) on all of your purchases — including subscription services. And if you own one of the Chase Sapphire cards, you can transfer your credit card rewards to your Sapphire card and get a 25% to 50% value boost, depending on the card you have.
Can You Use a Credit Card For Monthly Subscriptions?
Yes, in fact, many streaming services require a credit card for monthly payments.
While some services allow you to link an active checking account to make monthly ACH payments (which can be done through PayPal), you’ll find that many services prefer you use a credit card. This helps them avoid declined transactions for insufficient funds.
The rise in popularity of subscription-based services has many credit card issuers partnering with such services — like Amex partnering with Uber — to offer discounts, added bonuses, and other perks for cardholders who choose to use the issuer’s card to pay for their subscription.
Whether it’s the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offering 6% cash back on streaming services or the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offering 3% cash back on dining and delivery, you can find a better deal when you use the right card to maintain your favorite account.
Just remember that those added perks only become worthwhile if you pay your bill on time and in full each month. While 6% cash back is substantial, it’s very little compared to the 20% or more in interest you’ll pay for your purchases if you allow the balance to roll over on your card each month.
By paying the bill off each month and maximizing your potential perks, you can lower your costs and increase your entertainment budget virtually overnight.
Can I Dispute a Credit Card Charge For a Subscription?
You can dispute any charge to your credit card, within reason.
Once you file a dispute, the bank may freeze your card while it investigates the matter. The investigation will include contacting the subscription service provider to verify your account and whether you authorized the charge.
If the charge is found to be fraudulent, the bank will refund you the amount charged to your card. If the issuer finds you liable for the charge, it will simply let the charge remain, and, in some instances, close your account for fraudulently filing a dispute.
Fraud isn’t the only reason to dispute a charge. You may also file a dispute if the merchandise you received was defective, you see billing errors, or if you never received the item at all.
Banks often refer to filing a dispute over a charge you know is legitimate as “friendly fraud.” The practice costs card issuers billions in refunds and investigation expenses each year.
Before you call your credit card issuer to file a dispute, you should first understand what you can and cannot dispute. By researching your options, you can not only improve your financial know-how but also minimize your chances of unknowingly committing friendly fraud.
That’s a big deal because, depending on the size of the transaction you’re disputing, a fraudulent claim can result in criminal charges.
Can Prepaid Cards Be Used For Monthly Subscriptions?
Yes, they can. Prepaid cards work just as credit cards do, as long as there’s enough money loaded onto the card to fund the transaction.
Prepaid cards run on the same payment networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) as credit cards, and merchants generally accept them as they would any other card. Here are some of the best prepaid cards to use for subscription services:
- Your Chime® Checking Account comes with a Visa® Debit Card, no monthly fees or minimum balance fees.
- Over 47,000 fee-free ATMs¹ — more than the top 3 national banks combined!
- Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit, terms apply.²
- Chime will spot you up to $200 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals with no overdraft fees. Eligibility requirements and limits apply.³
- Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC.
¹Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply.
²Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
³Chime SpotMe is an optional service that requires a single deposit of $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to the Chime Checking Account at least once every 34 days. All qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their account up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially, but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on member’s Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your limit. Your limit may change at any time, at Chime’s discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe won’t cover non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. See Terms and Conditions.
- Overdraft protection up to $300 with opt-in and eligible direct deposit*
- No monthly fees with eligible direct deposit, otherwise $5 per month
- Earn up to 7% cash back when you buy eGift Cards in the app
- Get your pay up to 2 days early - Get your government benefits up to 4 days early.*
- High-yield savings account, 4.50% APY paid quarterly on savings up to $5,000.*
*Terms and conditions apply. GO2bank™ cards are issued by Green Dot Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association. Overdraft fees may apply. Click Apply Now to learn more.
- Greenlight is a debit card for kids, managed by parents
- Parents set flexible controls and receive real-time alerts while kids monitor their balances, set goals, and learn how to manage money
- Feel secure knowing Greenlight blocks unsafe spending categories
- Receive Mastercard’s Zero Liability Protection
- Upload a photo of your choice to create a unique custom card
- Debit cards are FDIC-insured up to $250,000
- Easily turn your Greenlight card on or off and receive real-time spending notifications
Prepaid cards can’t be used for monthly subscriptions if you don’t have enough money in your card account to cover your purchase, whereas some credit cards allow you to slightly surpass your credit limit before declining the transaction. Prepaid cards offer no such protection.
You could experience a disruption in service or even cancellation of your account if you don’t have an adequate balance on your prepaid card when your subscription service attempts to charge your monthly fee. But with a sufficient balance, you can use the card to make regular purchases and sign up for recurring billing on your subscription-based accounts.
In fact, prepaid cards may be your best option to sign up for a subscription service if you don’t have a credit card or active checking account, but you’ll lose out on the added cash back savings and other perks a credit card will afford you.
Don’t Miss Out on Valuable Savings
Subscription services are a fun way to stream your favorite entertainment options, find new restaurants in your area, or just make your life more convenient by having a box of razors sent to you via Dollar Shave Club, for example.
Whatever your interests, you can take part in the booming subscription economy with one of the best credit cards for subscriptions listed above. These cards offer bonus cash back, free services, and other added perks you’d miss out on by charging these services to a debit card.
Advertiser Disclosure
CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.
Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.
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