If you're a PlayStation fan who also happens to carry the PlayStation Visa Credit Card, you might want to take a closer look. Comenity Bank just rolled out some pretty significant changes to the card's rewards structure, and the headline grabber is a free PlayStation Plus Premium membership—but you'll have to spend a decent chunk of change to unlock it. Let's break down what's new and whether it's worth your time.
What's New and What's Changed
The biggest news is the addition of a complimentary PlayStation Plus Premium membership—worth about $160 a year—when you hit $6,000 in spending between January and December. Previously, the card offered a 50% discount on PS Plus after spending $3,000, so this is a notable shift. You'll need to opt in via email within 90 days of receiving the offer, and your PlayStation account email must match the one on your card.
Beyond the membership perk, the earning rates have been revamped. You now get 5% back in points on direct PlayStation and Sony Store purchases, 3% on cable, internet, and streaming services, and a new 2% category for grocery stores and restaurants. Everything else earns 1%. That's a solid setup for gamers who also spend heavily on groceries and dining.
- Free PS Plus Premium after $6,000 annual spend (must claim via email within 90 days)
- 5% back at PlayStation and Sony Store
- 3% back on cable, internet, and streaming
- 2% back on groceries and restaurants (including delivery and takeout)
- 1% back on all other purchases
- Points can be redeemed for PlayStation Store codes, statement credits, hardware, and electronics
Is the $6,000 Spend Worth It for PS Plus Premium?
Let's do the math. PlayStation Plus Premium costs about $160 per year. To get it for free, you need to put $6,000 on the card annually. That's $500 a month. If you're already spending that much on groceries, streaming, and PlayStation purchases, the membership is essentially a bonus on top of the points you're already earning. But if you'd have to inflate your spending just to hit the threshold, it's probably not worth it.
Also keep in mind: the spend requirement resets every January 1. So if you qualify in, say, October, you'll get a 12-month voucher, but you'll need to start from scratch the next year to get another one. The voucher itself can be stacked on an existing membership, which is nice if you're already subscribed.
- Break-even: $6,000 spend yields a $160 value, or about 2.67% effective return on that spend if you value PS Plus Premium at retail
- Points earned on that $6,000 also add value (e.g., 5% on PlayStation purchases)
- Not a good reason to overspend—only makes sense if you naturally hit $6,000 annually
Things to Watch Out For
The opt-in process has a few gotchas. You'll get an email about 60 days after hitting the spend threshold, and the link inside expires after 90 days. If you miss it, the offer is gone. Also, your PlayStation account email must match your card account email—so double-check that before the end of the year.
Another thing: the 5% back at PlayStation and Sony Store is great, but it's only on direct purchases. If you buy games or hardware through a third-party retailer, you'll only get the base 1% or 2% depending on the category. And remember, points are earned as 'points'—not cash back—so you'll need to redeem them through the Account Center for PlayStation Store codes or other rewards.
- Opt-in email expires 90 days after receipt—set a reminder
- Email addresses on PlayStation account and card account must match
- 5% back only applies to direct PlayStation/Sony Store purchases, not third-party retailers
- Points are not cash back; redeemable for codes, statement credits, or merchandise
Bottom Line
- The PlayStation Visa card now offers a free 12-month PS Plus Premium membership after $6,000 in annual spend.
- Earning rates have improved with 5% at PlayStation/Sony, 3% on streaming, and 2% on groceries and dining.
- The membership perk resets each year, so you'll need to requalify annually.
- Only consider this card if you're a regular PlayStation spender and can hit the $6,000 threshold naturally.
Common Questions
How do I claim the PlayStation Plus Premium membership?
After spending $6,000 in a calendar year, you'll receive an email about 60 days later with an opt-in link. Click 'claim my offer,' and within a day you'll get a voucher for a 12-month membership. The link expires 90 days after the email is sent.
Can I stack this with an existing PS Plus Premium membership?
Yes, you can stack the voucher on top of an existing membership, so it will extend your subscription by 12 months.
What happens if I don't use the opt-in link in time?
The link expires 90 days after you receive the email. If you miss it, you won't be able to claim the membership for that year. You'd need to requalify the next calendar year.
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