PlayStation Visa Credit Card – Is the PlayStation Visa Worth It?

For die-hard PlayStation fans and gamers who make frequent Sony product purchases, the PlayStation® Visa® Credit Card from Comenity Bank could seem like a tantalizing prospect. Offering bonus rewards on PlayStation.com orders, eligible Sony gear from authorized retailers, and categories like dining and streaming services, this $0 annual fee card appears well-suited for the gaming lifestyle.

However, before getting too excited, it’s important to understand that earning top rewards with this card requires some fairly cumbersome processes. Additionally, your redemption options are rather limited compared to a standard cash back credit card.

Let’s break down the key details of the PlayStation Visa card, weighing the potential benefits against the impracticalities that will likely make this niche product a non-starter for the average consumer.

Benefits

Earn 5 points per $1 spent on PlayStation.com orders
Earn 5 points per $1 spent on Sony/PlayStation products from select retailers (special form required)
Earn 3 points per $1 spent on cable/internet bills
Earn 2 points per $1 spent at restaurants
Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
$100 statement credit bonus after spending $400 in first 60 days
Redeem for PlayStation/Sony products, gift cards, event tickets, and more
No annual fee

Additional Bonus Categories

The PlayStation® Visa® Credit Card also earns bonus rewards in a few everyday spending categories that complement the gaming-centric earnings:

3 points per $1 spent on monthly cable and internet bills
2 points per $1 spent at restaurants

All other non-category purchases earn an unlimited 1 point per $1 spent.

Instant Card Number

One nice feature of this card is that once approved, applicants can request to immediately receive a digital “shopping pass” sent to their smartphone or device. This allows you to start making online purchases with the PlayStation® Visa® Credit Card right away while waiting for the physical card to arrive in the mail a week or two later.

Tips to Redeem Rewards

Points earned with the PlayStation Visa Credit Card can be redeemed for merchandise through the Sony Rewards catalog, including PlayStation and Sony products, movies, TV shows, video games, and gift cards.

Points are generally worth around $0.01 each for PlayStation/Sony products, or $0.008 each for gift card redemptions. This is a relatively poor value compared to many traditional cash back credit cards on the market.

You’ll also have the option to redeem points to purchase tickets for certain concerts, shows, and other entertainment events. Just note that any points not redeemed within 5 years will expire, so be sure to put them to use.

Costs & Fees

Annual Fee: $0
Purchase APR: Variable 19.24%, 25.24% or 27.99% APR based on credit
Balance Transfer APR: N/A
Cash Advance APR: N/A
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Late Payment Fee: Up to $41
Returned Payment Fee: Up to $41

The PlayStation® Visa® Credit Card from Comenity Bank charges no annual fee, which is a major positive. However, the potential purchase APRs span a very wide range, with even the lowest tier coming in higher than many traditional credit cards.

This means that cardholders looking to finance purchases over time could face oppressively high-interest charges that could easily outweigh the value of any rewards earned. It’s advisable to avoid carrying a balance from month to month with this product.

There are no balance transfer or cash advance capabilities with the PlayStation® Visa®, nor any foreign transaction fees which is rare even for a store card. However, late and returned payment fees are on the higher side, so you’ll want to make sure your monthly bills are prioritized.

How to Apply for the PlayStation Visa

You can apply for the PlayStation Visa Credit Card online at rewards.sony.com, over the phone by calling 1-866-281-2504 (Visa) or 1-866-284-2811 (Visa Signature) (TDD/TTY: 1-800-695-1788)., or in person at select retail locations that have applications available.

During the application process, be prepared to provide:

Full legal name and contact information
Date of birth and Social Security number
Total annual income amount
Housing situation (rent or mortgage payment)
Current employment details

Comenity Bank will review your full credit report and income details to determine your approval eligibility as well as what APR to assign if you are approved for the PlayStation® Visa® Credit Card.

Activating the New Card

To activate your new PlayStation Visa Credit Card once it arrives, simply follow the instructions on the removable sticker affixed to the front of the card, which will point you to either:

Call the activation number provided
Visit sonyrewards.com to activate online

You’ll be prompted to create an online account or verify your identity if you already have an existing Sony Rewards profile. Once complete, your PlayStation® Visa® Credit Card will be ready for use immediately, both online and in-store.

Online Account Access

Cardholders can log into their PlayStation® Visa® Credit Card account at sonyrewards.com to:

View current balance and recent transactions
Download monthly statements
Make manual payments or set up autopay
Update personal information like your mailing address
Redeem points for rewards

If you have trouble accessing your account or forget your login credentials, there are options on the website to retrieve your username or reset your password online.

Sony Rewards Mobile App

In addition to online account access, PlayStation® Visa® Credit Card users can manage their accounts through the Sony Rewards mobile app for iOS and Android devices. Simply download the app and log in using your existing sonyrewards.com username and password.

The mobile app is especially useful for the burdensome process required to maximize your earnings on Sony purchases from authorized retailers. You can snap photos of your receipts and digitally submit the proof of purchase through the app to have transactions coded for 5X rewards.

Making Payments

When it comes time to make your minimum monthly payment on the PlayStation® Visa® Credit Card, Comenity Bank offers several easy options:

Pay online at sonyrewards.com
Use the Sony Rewards mobile app
Pay by phone at 1-866-503-6624
Enroll in your bank’s online bill pay service
Mail a check or money order (allow 7-10 days for delivery)

To avoid costly late payment penalties, be sure to make at least the minimum payment due by 5pm ET on the due date listed on your monthly statement. You can also opt to set up automatic payments through your online account or mobile app.

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Alternatives for Bigger Earnings

Before locking yourself into this Sony-centric product, it’s worth weighing alternatives with easier earnings in versatile categories, straightforward redemption options, and more long-term value:

Citi® Double Cash Card – Earn 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay), no annual fee
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card – 2% cash rewards on all purchases, no annual fee
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card – 1.5% cash back in every purchase category, plus opportunities for a higher rate through the Preferred Rewards program.

These flat-rate cards completely eliminate any spending categories or activation hoops, and you can redeem cash back rewards for anything, not just a limited selection of merchandise.

Is the PlayStation Visa Worth It?

For huge, dedicated PlayStation fans, the card could be worthwhile. That buy a lot from the PlayStation store and Sony retailers. The bonus earnings may outweigh the stress of submitting receipts.

But, for most regular consumers, the ongoing work is probably not worth it. Tracking categories and uploading receipts constantly is a headache. The novelty of a PlayStation-branded card will wear off.

On top of that, the potential for very high-interest rates is concerning. You won’t earn top rewards on everyday purchases. The inconveniences of maximizing earnings are considerable.

This card is hard to recommend over simpler cash back options. Straightforward cards with no hoops to jump through are better bets. Unless you’re obsessed with PlayStation, the hassles will likely outweigh the benefits.