We learned a lot during the Taylor Swift ticket frenzy of 2022, but one of the most important lessons was that having the right credit card in your wallet can give you a leg up to get coveted concert tickets.
Savvy cardholders know there's much more to the best rewards credit cards than just the rewards you earn through spending. But many cards offer a major perk beyond streaming credits or purchase protection: VIP access to concerts, games and other live entertainment.
While we don't necessarily recommend getting a credit card just for VIP access, it's helpful to know what's available to you as you plan for your next concert, big game or Broadway show. Plus, if you're trying to decide which card to get next, the VIP access options each card offers might be something you want to consider.
We'll walk through the credit card programs that give you access to these VIP experiences and highlight our picks for the best credit card for concerts and other live entertainment purchases.
American Express
All American Express cardmembers receive Entertainment Access benefits (the program title that encompasses all other benefits) that include ticket presales and cardmember-only events in select cities. Examples of events at this level include Broadway musicals such as Sweeney Todd and Six, as well as festivals like Coachella and NBA tickets.
Even though Entertainment Access is available for all cardholders, certain events may require you to have a more premium card to unlock ticket presales.
Premium American Express cards, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card have access to special seating at certain events through the American Express Preferred Seating program. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
On the more exclusive side, "By Invitation Only" events are as they sound: you'll need an invitation. Currently, the events in this category are open to Amex Platinum and Centurion® members. These offers include access to partner events, including a New York Times Cooking event and a series of exclusive wellness experiences by Equinox x American Express.
Amex has also featured suites and lounges at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon, which might return in the future. Additionally, Amex is F1 Americas' Official Payments Partner, so Amex members receive early access tickets to F1 Grand Prix races globally and on-site benefits at races in North, Central and South America.
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And beyond live entertainment, don't forget about Amex's VIP dining options through their partnership with Resy. Cardmembers have access to the Global Dining Access program that offers members "exclusive reservations, priority notification, early access to special experiences and a VIP Diner Badge."
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Undoubtedly, the Amex Platinum card unlocks the most American Express VIP access options. With this card, you'll get three levels of VIP event access: Entertainment Access, American Express Preferred Seating and By Invitation Only.
Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees)
Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. TPG values this bonus at $1,600.
Why we like it: Even though this card won't earn you any bonus points for ticket purchases, the access it offers is unbeatable. Plus, if your concert requires you to travel, you'll earn 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel.
For more information, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum.
Apply here: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Related: Best American Express credit cards
Capital One
All eligible rewards cardholders enjoy the benefits available through Capital One Entertainment. These benefits include presale tickets and VIP packages for certain events, special on-site perks (such as early and priority entry, celebrity meet-and-greets and VIP lounges) and features that allow cardholders to upgrade experiences at events or purchase tickets using their Capital One miles, including sports, concerts, theater and more.
Capital One Dining can help cardholders score hard-to-get reservations in select cities across the U.S. There are also several other culinary-focused events held throughout the year that you can find on Capital One's website.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Annual fee: $395 (see rates and fees)
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. TPG values this bonus at $1,388.
Earning rates: Earn 10 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked via Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked via Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on purchases made through the Capital One Entertainment platform and 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases.
Why we like it: In addition to earning 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases, you'll get $300 in credits annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel and an anniversary bonus of 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, starting on your first anniversary (worth at least $100 toward travel).
For more information, check out our full review of the Venture X.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Business
Annual fee: $395 (see rates and fees)
Welcome bonus: Earn 150,000 bonus miles after spending $30,000 in the first three months from account opening. TPG values this bonus at $2,775.
Earning rates: Earn 10 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked via Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked via Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on purchases made through the Capital One Entertainment platform and 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases.
Why we like it: Like its personal counterpart, you'll get $300 in credits annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus, and an up-to-$100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
For more details, check out our full review of the Venture X Business.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Annual fee: $95 (see rates and fees)
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. TPG values this bonus at $1,388.
Earning rates: Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on purchases made through the Capital One Entertainment platform and 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases.
Why we like it: In addition to earning 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment and 2 miles per dollar on ticket purchases, you'll have access to reimbursem*nt for your application fee to Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
For more details, check out our full review of the Venture Rewards.
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Spark Miles for Business Credit card
Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $95 (see rates and fees)
Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. TPG values this bonus at $925.
Earning rates: Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on purchases made through the Capital One Entertainment platform and 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases.
Why we like it: The Spark Miles for Business earns straightforward rewards useful to any business with even an infrequent travel schedule, all with an annual fee that's waived for the first year.
For more details, check out our full review of the Spark Miles for Business.
Learn more: Spark Miles for Business
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Both the Capital One Savor and Capital One SavorOne (see rates and fees) give you access to Capital One Entertainment and rewards on your entertainment expenses.
Annual fee: $95 for the Savor and $0 for the SavorOne (see SavorOne rates and fees)
Welcome bonus: For the Savor, earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. For the SavorOne, earn a one-time $200 cash bonus welcome bonus after spending $500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Why we like them: Both cards pull double duty: you'll get access to Capital One Entertainment which has exclusive ticket sales and VIP experiences, and also earn bonus rewards on your entertainment purchases. With both cards, you'll earn 8% cash back on purchases through Capital One Entertainment and bonus cash back on all other entertainment purchases (4% with the Savor and 3% with the SavorOne), making these easily two of the best cash back credit cards for buying concert and other live entertainment tickets.
Check out our full card review of the Savor and our full card review of the Savor One to learn more about their earning structures and what types of entertainment purchases earn bonus rewards.
The information for the Capital One Savor Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Learn more: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Related: Best Capital One credit cards
Chase
There are different levels of Chase Experiences available to cardholders depending on which product they have. These experiences can be paid for with cash or points, but Chase only allows you to redeem at 1 cent in value per point, which generally isn't the best use of your Ultimate Rewards points.
Chase also has a partnership with culinary reservation platform Tock, which gives those with cards, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, the ability to book VIP culinary events (alongside standard reservations) through the Ultimate Rewards section in the Chase mobile app. Restaurants include HUSO in New York, Seven Reasons in Washington, D.C. and the Protégé in Palo Alto, California.
Additionally, cardmembers receive access to the Chase lounge at select venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York and The Chicago Theater. Chase has also had a lounge at the U.S. Open, which might return in the future.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
If VIP access is important to you, we recommend the Sapphire Reserve card. It will unlock all levels of unique experiences Chase offers, so you'll never miss out on the best seats or advance ticket sales.
Annual fee: $550
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. TPG values this bonus at $1,538.
Why we like it: Even though it won't earn you bonus points for your concert or other live entertainment ticket purchases, this is a great card to have. In addition to granting you access to the best of Chase's unique entertainment opportunities, you'll get a $300 travel reimbursem*nt to help cover the costs of any travel to your event.
For any additional travel, you'll earn 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals and 5 points per dollar on flights when you purchase them through Chase Ultimate Rewards. You'll also earn 3 points per dollar on all other travel purchases, 10 points per dollar on your Lyft to get there (through March 2025) and 3 points per dollar on dinner before your show.
For more details on why we love this card, check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
If you care more about earning points for your concert ticket purchases than having every VIP opportunity, we recommend the Freedom Unlimited. You'll earn a solid 1.5 points per dollar on your ticket purchases and still have access to many of Chase's unique experiences.
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year), worth up to $300 cash back.
Why we like it: With this card, you'll earn 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, so you can feel great knowing you're earning at a solid rate, whether you're buying concert tickets or ordering your ultimate fan outfit to wear to the show.
Plus, you'll earn 3 points per dollar on dining and drugstore purchases as well as 5 points per dollar on Lyft (through March 2025), so you'll also be rewarded for going out to dinner before the show and ordering a ride to get there.
For more details, check out our full review of the Freedom Unlimited.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Related: Best Chase credit cards
Citi
Citi cardholders have access to the Citi Entertainment program, which offers presale access to tickets, preferred seating and VIP packages for sports, entertainment and dining events.
Current entertainment offers include tickets and packages for Billy Joel, The Chicks and P!NK, and discounted tickets for the Citi Genesis Invitational.
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Annual fee: $95
Welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. A higher offer may be available thorough Citi.com. TPG values this bonus at $1,260.
Why we like it: In addition to granting you access to all that Citi Entertainment has to offer, you'll earn bonus points with this card no matter how you get to your event. With it, you'll earn 3 points per dollar on air travel, hotels, gas stations, EV charging stations and restaurants, so you know you're covered whether you're driving or flying to see your show. You will also earn 10 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ Portal.
Learn more: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Related: Best Citi credit cards
Visa and Mastercard VIP Benefits
Beyond your card's bank, its network might also grant you VIP access. Don't forget to check your card's network to see your full list of VIP options available, such as those that come with a World Elite Mastercard or Visa Infinite card.
Bottom line
A lot goes into a decision to apply for a credit card: the welcome bonus, earning rates, travel benefits and more. But something else to consider is the experiences your credit card can unlock, whether that means presale tickets to your favorite band, behind-the-scenes access at Broadway shows or cardholder-exclusive events around the world.
Make the most of your next event by using one of the best credit cards for concert tickets and VIP access to live events.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
