by Cory Santos | Last updated on November 13th, 2023
Sony Visa®
Sony Visa®
Sony Visa®
- 19.24%, 25.24%, or 27.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 26.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 28.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The Sony® Visa® Credit Card is a retail rewards card from Comenity Bank. This no annual fee retail card provides plenty of points for Sony aficionados but comes up short when redeeming rewards.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- No annual fee
- Earn 5X points on entertainment and Sony purchases with Sony or eligible 3rd-party retailers
- Earn 2X points on dining and rideshares
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Regular Purchase APR: 19.24%, 25.24%, or 27.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 26.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $10 or % of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 28.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Foreign Transaction Fee: Up to 3% of the transaction amount in U.S. dollars
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- You love everything Sony - from movies, to electronics, to the PlayStation gaming ecosystem
- You prefer to redeem rewards to a rewards catalog
- You want a stylish card that shows your love for your favorite game or series
- You don’t want to pay an annual fee
Sony Visa® Card Review
The Sony Visa® Credit Card is a retail card from Comenity Bank and Sony, one of the world’s leading entertainment brands. The card, which charges no annual fee, comes with a quality welcome bonus, lucrative rewards on purchases, exclusive offers, and more.
Introductory Offer
The Sony Visa comes with a comparable sign-up bonus to the other Comenity/Sony Visa credit card product, the PlayStation® Visa® Credit Card. New accounts can earn $100 in statement credit when you use the Sony Visa® Credit Card to spend $500 within 60 days of account opening. That welcome offer equals approximately 20X points (or 20% cash back) on your first $500 in spending – an impressive tally for a modest spend.
How to Earn Rewards
The Sony Visa offers rewards comparable to the PlayStation Visa. Cardholders earn 5X points on the following purchases:
- Entertainment purchases, including concert and movie tickets, digital downloads, and more, or
- When shopping at the Sony Store or authorized Sony third-party retailers (see list).
The Sony Visa also provides enhanced rewards in non-Sony categories. Cardholders earn 2X points on rideshare purchases, including taxis, plus 2X on their internet and cable bills. All other purchases earn 1X points per $1 spent on purchases, meaning that you can amass a huge amount of Sony Rewards points just for swiping anywhere that takes the Visa network worldwide.
PlayStation Visa Comparison
Sony Visa® |
PlayStation® Visa® |
|
Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
Rewards w/ Sony | 5X | 5X |
Other rewards | 5X on select entertainment, 2X on dining and rideshares, 1X on all else | 3X on cable and internet bill payments, 2X on dining, 1X on all else |
How to Redeem Rewards with Sony
Once you’ve earned enough points, you can redeem them for incredible rewards through the Sony Catalog, like the hottest movies, games, electronics, and more. These rewards come at different price points and may not offer great value. For example, PlayStation gear (think sweatshirts, t-shirts), select accessories, and some games are available for less than 5,000 points, but high-value prizes (TVs, cameras, etc.) can run more than 10,000 points, meaning there might not be great value. Points also apply to “Deals and Steals” promotions on the Sony website, for concert tickets, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and on exclusive bundles.
Redeeming points for a statement credit is possible but tricky. The process requires you to shop with an authorized Sony retailer (see above for a list of retailers), send a picture of your receipt, and use your points to cover the purchase – something of a headache. At least Sony Rewards points never expire, so there is no need to fret over points disappearing overnight.
Store Card Option for Those Who Don’t Qualify
Like other retail credit cards from Comenity (Bread Financial), the Sony Visa credit card is actually two credit card applications in one. When you apply for the Sony Visa, you also apply for the Sony® Credit Card, a closed-loop store card. If you aren’t a great fit for the Visa version, Comenity may approve you for the store card, thanks to its lower credit requirements.
So, what’s the difference between the two cards? For starters, there is the acceptability of each card at different retailers. The Sony Visa works anywhere you see the Visa logo worldwide – currently, in more than 204 countries. The Sony® Credit Card, on the other hand, is only good for purchases at Sony or PlayStation stores, including online.
Then there are the rewards. Because the Sony® Credit Card is a store card, it won’t earn bonus rewards on purchases outside of Sony – after all, you can’t make purchases – so don’t expect to be rewarded! But don’t fret – you will still earn the same 5X on Sony purchases and receive a similar welcome bonus to the open-loop version. Store cardholders also have the opportunity to earn a statement credit bonus after making a purchase the same day you open your store card account at a Sony location (or online via the “Visit Card Site” link).
Other Card Features
Other notable card features of the Sony Visa credit card include instant credit line access upon approval, Zero Fraud Liability, EMV chip technology for contactless payments and mobile wallet connectivity, and Visa security protections and benefits:
Zero Fraud Liability | Cardholder Inquiry Services | Emergency Card Replacement |
Roadside Dispatch and Auto Collision Damage Waiver | Lost/Stolen Card Reporting | ID Navigator from Norton |
Comenity (Bread) Ratings
How does Comenity Bank (now known as Bread Financial) compare with other banks? Here is a selection of ratings for Comenity from experts:
BestCards | Better Business Bureau | TrustPilot |
2.5/5 |
N/A |
1/5 |
Should You Apply for the Sony® Visa® Credit Card?
Overall, the Sony® Visa® Credit Card is an interesting option for the gamer and film fanatic who wants a credit card that is equally at home buying the latest game or series as it is paying off a gas bill or buying food. There is limited value when it comes to redemptions, but if you play your cards right, you might find something enticing to cash out some points on.
Browse Other Card Offers:
Editorial Disclosure – The opinions expressed on BestCards.com's reviews, articles, and all other content on or relating to the website are solely those of the content’s author(s). These opinions do not reflect those of any card issuer or financial institution, and editorial content on our site has not been reviewed or approved by these entities unless noted otherwise. Further, BestCards.com lists credit card offers that are frequently updated with information believed to be accurate to the best of our team's knowledge. However, please review the information provided directly by the credit card issuer or related financial institution for full details.