Capital One recently relaunched their Playstation card and it looks like they have done the same with the Sony card. Let’s take a look.
Quick Overview
- Sign up bonus of $50 after your first purchase
- No annual fee
- Card earns at the following rates:
- 5x points on entertainment & sony products
- 1x points on all other purchases
5x Categories
This is really the only thing interesting about this card. You earn 5x points per $1 spent on entertainment purchases. A full definition of entertainment is given here. But includes the following:
- Music Downloads and Record Stores
- Motion Picture (Movie) Theaters and Tickets
- Continuing Subscription Services
- Digital Goods – Large Digital Goods Merchant
- Digital Goods – Games
- Digital Goods Media – Books, Movies, Music
- Select Pay TV/Radio/Streaming Services
- Sports
- Theaters
- Bands, Orchestras & Entertainment
- Video game amusement supply & arcade
As you can see, it’s quite broad. I’d think that Amazon will qualify, but that isn’t that interesting given other cards earn 5% cash back. Please share your datapoints on what does/doesn’t count in the comments below.
You also receive 5x ponts on Sony purchases from authorized retailers. Basically you earn 1x point and then you need to submit a Sony Rewards Bonus Point form to receive the additional 4x points.
How Much Are Points Worth?
First of all points cannot be redeemed for cash back or statement credit. They have to be used for Sony merchandise or ShowStoppers (‘once in a lifetime experiences’). I believe points are worth 1¢ towards merchandise.
Our Verdict
Card would be a lot more interesting if you could cash out points for 1¢ each, as it stands it’s not that interesting. The 5x category is great, the problem is just redeeming the points. Keep in mind it’s also issued by Capital One  meaning they will pull all three of your credit reports & you’re limited to one card per six months. I think most people would be much better offer with the Capital One Venture currently offering a bonus worth $500. I’d recommend reading this post if your new to Capital One cards as well.
Hat tip to colonelheero on /r/churning
“continuing subscription services” – would this include Playstation Vue and Comcast internet? I think I would rather get 5x points per month for Vue rather than the 10% back on the playstation card
I very strongly suspect that internet service isn’t included. My bet is that this covers things like Netflix or Spotify. This is only a guess, though.
Gift cards are marked up 20-40% from face value, and most of the products are similarly marked up compared to the same products sold by other retailers. Disappointing
While cardholders can’t redeem for cash/statement credit, there are a variety of gift cards. 12,000 points redeems for $100, but there are sales. I recently redeemed 2,975 points for a $25 Macy’s card that’s normally 3,500 points.
In the past, you have to do some kind of rebate to get the 5X for sony purchase from authorized seller. I wonder if there is double dip windows here if some one use this card to make a sony purchase on Amazon and earning 5X from the card, then another 5X for doing the rebate.
Yeah, rebate is mentioned in post. Not sure if double dipping would work because if they see the transaction already earning 5x they wouldn’t approve the additional 4x.
Do you know if Ticketmaster and Stubhub (for concerts, not sports as that is clearly covered) would code as entertainment? That would be a gamechanger above the 3x of the prestige.
nvm. just saw you can’t redeem straight up. dumb, unless maybe you’re in the market for a new tv.