Are you a Sony product super-fan who loves entertainment rewards? The Sony Visa Credit Card could be a great option, offering bonus points on purchases from Sony and entertainment vendors. However, this Visa card comes with some highly unusual requirements that make it less appealing than other rewards credit cards on the market.
Let’s explore the unique benefits, features, costs, and application process for the Sony Visa card.
Benefits Of This Card
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on eligible entertainment purchases
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on Sony purchases from authorized retailers (with proof of purchase)
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent at restaurants, on rideshares, internet, and cable bills
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- $50 statement credit after first purchase within 60 days of account opening
- Additional $50 statement credit after spending $500 in the first 60 days
- Redeem points for Sony products, gift cards, entertainment, and more
- 0% Intro APR period on eligible Sony purchases
One nice perk of the Sony card is that once approved, you can request a digital “shopping pass” be sent to your mobile device, allowing you to start making online purchases immediately even while waiting for the physical plastic card to arrive in the mail.
How to Redeem Rewards
Redeeming the points you earn with the Sony Visa card is similarly cumbersome compared to other rewards programs. While you can redeem for standard options like gift cards and merchandise through Sony’s rewards catalog, redeeming points for statement credits towards Sony product purchases requires filling out a special “purchase credit form” and submitting your receipt.
Points are generally worth $0.01 each towards electronics redemptions, or around $0.008 each for gift cards. You’ll want to use your rewards within 5 years, as they expire after that period.
Additional Card Benefits & Protections
Beyond the rewards program, the Sony Visa Credit Card provides a handful of additional benefits that are fairly standard for a rewards card product:
- Extended Warranty Protection – Manufacturer’s warranties of 3 years or less can be doubled up to 1 additional year
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver – Covers damage/theft of rental vehicles so you can decline the agency’s insurance
As you would expect from a Visa card product, Sony Visa also includes:
- Zero Fraud Liability protection for unauthorized charges
- Chip-enabled card technology for enhanced security
- Visa’s global acceptance at millions of merchants worldwide
Costs & Fees
- Annual Fee: $0
- Purchase APR: 19.24%, 25.24%, or 26.99% Variable, based on credit
- 0% Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 6 billing cycles on eligible Sony purchases
- Balance Transfer APR: N/A
- Cash Advance APR: N/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee: 3% of the transaction amount
- Late Payment Fee: Up to $41
- Returned Payment Fee: Up to $41
The Sony Visa card has no annual fee to carry it, which is a positive. However, the regular APR is on the higher side, so you’ll want to make a concerted effort to pay your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges that could negate the value of any rewards earned.
There are no balance transfer or cash advance capabilities with this card, and foreign transaction fees of 3% are charged, making it a poor choice for purchases abroad. Finally, late and returned payment fees are in line with industry standards, but the penalties can add up if you miss payments.
How to Apply for the Sony Visa Card
You can apply for the Sony Visa Card:
- Online at sony.com
- Over the phone ( Sony Visa: 1-866-518-3992. Sony Visa Signature: 1-800-695-5772).
- At certain Sony retail locations
To apply for a Sony Cardâ„ issued by Comenity Bank, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at the age of majority in your state or territory
- Have a valid government-issued photo ID
- Have a valid government-issued tax identification number (such as a Social Security Number or Social Insurance Number)
- Have a street, rural route, or APO/FPO mailing address (PO Boxes not accepted)
By applying for the Sony Cardâ„ , you agree that your application and any information you submit may be shared with and retained by Sony Electronics Inc. You will also be enrolled, if not already a member, in the Sony Rewards program to earn points.
Please note that you must be enrolled in the Sony Rewards program to earn Sony Rewards points. This offer excludes residents of U.S. Territories. Be sure to review the Sony Rewards Terms & Conditions and the Sony Rewards Privacy Policy for full details before applying.
Activating the Card
If approved, your physical Sony card should arrive within 7-10 business days. To activate it, you’ll need to call the number provided in your welcome materials, visit sonyrewards.com, or follow the instructions on the removable sticker affixed to the front of your credit card.
The Sony Visa activation process simply requires creating an online account and selecting or confirming some personal and card details. Once activated, you can begin using the card for in-person purchases and online orders right away.
Sony Visa Credit Card Online Login Guide
Managing your Sony Visa Credit Card account is easy when you log in online at sonyrewards.com. Here’s how to access your account:
- Go to d.comenity.net/ac/sonyvisa/ in your web browser
2. Click on the “Sign In” link at the top right of the homepage
3. On the sign-in page, enter the email address you used when you applied for the card
4. Enter your password in the field provided
5. Click “Sign In” to access your Sony Visa account
If you haven’t created an online account yet, you’ll need to click the “Register” button instead of signing in. Follow the prompts to set up your new user profile.
Once logged in, you’ll be able to:
View recent transactions and previous statements
Check your current account balance and available credit limit
Set up automatic payments or make a one-time payment
Redeem your Sony Rewards points for merchandise, gift cards, etc.
Update your personal information like mailing address
Enroll in paperless statements
If you happen to forget your sonyrewards.com password, just click the “Forgot Password” link to reset it via email.
Be sure to log out of your account when you’re done to protect your personal and financial information. Regularly logging in is the best way to monitor all your Sony Credit Card activity.
Mobile App
Alternatively, you can manage most of the same account actions on the go through Sony’s mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices. Simply download the app and log in with your existing sonyrewards.com account info.
The mobile app is key for earning maximum rewards, as it allows you to easily upload purchase receipts to have certain transactions coded for 5x earning on Sony product buys.
Making Payments
There are several convenient ways to make your monthly Sony Visa credit card payment:
- Online at sonyrewards.com
- Through the mobile app
- By phone using Sony Visa: 1-866-518-3992. Sony Visa Signature: 1-800-695-5772.
- Bank online bill pay service
- By mail to the address shown on your billing statement
To avoid interest charges, be sure to pay at least the minimum amount due by the cutoff time of 5 pm ET on the due date listed on your statement. You can set up automatic payments online as well.
Alternative Entertainment Rewards Cards
While the Sony Visa Credit Card offers a unique selection of bonus categories geared towards entertainment purchases, its awkward earning and redemption processes involving receipt uploads and special forms sap much of the appeal.
Before settling on this card solely for its 5x earning rates on entertainment, it’s worth exploring alternative credit cards offering straightforward rewards for the same purchases:
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card – 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores, $0 annual fee
- Citi Premier Card – 2X points on entertainment and dining out, $95 annual fee
- S. Bank Cash+â„¢ Visa Signature Card – 5% cash back in 2 categories you choose (including movies, TV, music, and more), $0 annual fee first year
These are just a few examples of credit cards that reward entertainment purchases with far less friction than the Sony Visa, which requires extra steps to ensure you’re earning at the highest rates. The opportunity cost of overlooking these simpler alternatives is significant.
Is the Sony Visa Worth It?
For an ultra-loyal Sony enthusiast who religiously buys the brand’s products at authorized retailers and frequents entertainment venues at a high rate, the Sony Visa Credit Card may be just niche enough to provide outsized value.
However, the non-intuitive receipt submission requirements and redemption hurdles make this an impractical card for the average consumer just looking for a solid entertainment rewards card. Between the friction, the card’s above-average APR, and the lack of long-term benefits, most would be better served by a general rewards card from a major bank issuer.
If you’re not a hardcore Sony devotee but still want bonus rewards in the entertainment category, explore alternatives from brands like Capital One, Citi, and U.S. Bank that allow you to earn elevated rewards without jumping through hoops.
So while the Sony Visa may seem enticing on paper, its unusual strings attached make it difficult to recommend for the vast majority of consumers over other more user-friendly rewards credit cards with entertainment-friendly bonus categories available today.
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