Chase Sapphire Adds Apple Perks to Woo Cardholders

Streaming entertainment services are the latest hook for credit card issuers looking to reel in and keep customers. Just look at the latest offers from Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders get a free Apple TV subscription for one year when activating the plan by December 31, 2026. This yearlong subscription to Apple TV is a $156 value. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card comes with a $95 annual fee. So this free Apple TV offer for a year is good value for cardholders who are fans of Apple TV.

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get free subscriptions to Apple TV and Apple Music through June 22, 2027. These subscriptions have a value of $288 annually. Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with a $795 annual fee. 

How Much Are Streaming Credits Worth?

Sources: Chase and American Express card benefit pages

Card	Streaming perk/credit	Annual value
Chase Sapphire Preferred	Apple TV subscription	$156
Chase Sapphire Reserve	Apple TV + Apple Music subscriptions	$288
American Express Platinum Card	Digital entertainment credit	$300
American Express Blue Cash Preferred	Disney/Hulu/ESPN streaming credit	Up to $120
American Express Blue Cash Everyday	Disney/Hulu/ESPN streaming credit	Up to $84

The costs of the Apple subscriptions help to offset the premium card’s hefty annual fee for people who use or plan to use these services from Apple.

And it’s not just streaming services that Chase is using to woo customers. For example, Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders get a complimentary membership to DoorDash with an annual value of $120. 

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive up to $300 annually in monthly DoorDash promotions. That DoorDash value includes up to $25 each month in promos.

The American Express Platinum Card has an $895 annual fee, but cardholders also receive a $300 Digital Entertainment Credit, according to the American Express website.

Platinum cardholders get up to $25 in statement credits each month when using their Platinum card at Disney+, Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium and YouTube TV. Enrollment is required.

American Express Blue Cash Preferred cardholders get up to a $10 monthly statement credit for eligible subscription purchases at Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN streaming services. Cardholders have a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year and then pay $95 annual fee.

American Express Blue Cash Everyday cardholders receive up to a $7 monthly statement credit when using their card for eligible subscription purchases for Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN streaming services. The card does not charge an annual fee.

Here are some examples of credit cards that allow cardholders to earn rewards when using their cards to pay for streaming services. Wells Fargo Autograph cardholders earn unlimited 3X points on popular streaming services and pay no annual fee. 

With The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature card, cardholders may choose to earn 5% cash back on the TV, Internet and streaming category. The card does not charge an annual fee.

American Express Blue Cash Preferred cardholders earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services. 

Subscription perks may help issuers make annual fees feel easier to justify and keep cardholders engaged with monthly credits. For example, it is easier to justify an annual fee when offering cardholders statement credits on subscription services. 

Plus, a customer who is a happy user of a streaming or other subscription service is likely to keep the credit card supplying free statement credits for the service. Also, credit card companies get to engage with the customer who is using the subscription service on a monthly basis.

Rather than spending habits, card issuers can focus on cardholders’ lifestyle habits. And finally, credits for subscription services can make a credit card feel valuable to cardholders without raising rates on rewards points.

For consumers, the tips are pretty straightforward. Don’t count a subscription service perk at its full value unless you have plans to pay for it in full all on your own. If you do like and are ready to pay for a subscription service, this is a good opportunity for you to save some money.

 Assess entertainment and delivery habits carefully. Will monthly credits on subscription services be more difficult to use than just earning cash back on your credit card purchases?

Don’t count a subscription perk at full value unless you would have paid for it anyway.

If you are a fan of a streaming service or delivery service it makes sense to scoop up the free monthly statement credits for the service. But don’t get too comfortable. 

Credit card perks can change. So stay on top of any changes that might occur in the offer. And you may not have to look far for another deal. Another credit card may have just the subscription offer that you want.