Music fans and concertgoers know it best — ticket prices can soar to the skies, especially for tours for larger-than-life pop stars like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift and annual events like Coachella and Bonnaroo.
Many rewards cards can elevate your experience so you get more back for your spending, putting you at the front of the line for show-stopping perks like VIP areas.
Many of our favorite rewards credit cards for concerts and music festivals can take you there while lessening the sting of expensive tickets. That’s because these cards can provide statement credits and other perks toward certain purchases.
In this guide, we’ll explore concert and music festival perks provided by popular issuers, top cards to consider and why adding one to your wallet is a great idea to put you at the front of the action.
Comparing the best credit cards for concerts and music festivals
| Issuer | Top cards | Concert and music festival benefit |
|---|---|---|
| American Express |
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| Capital One |
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| Chase |
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| Citi |
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The information for the Amex Centurion has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
American Express
American Express grants all eligible cardmembers some level of access to exclusive events and ticket presales, but the Amex Platinum provides the most benefits.
American Express Platinum Card
Annual fee: $895
Welcome bonus: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Why I like it: Amex Experiences can unlock exclusive access to ticket presales and top-tier seats at popular events. You won’t earn bonus points by paying with your Amex Platinum, but this card is certainly worth holding if you value the exclusive perks that can elevate your experience.
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If you have to travel to your event, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar spent on airfare purchased directly with the airlines or through American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent) and 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel.
Plus, the benefits added in the card’s recent refresh easily make up for its annual fee and convinced me to apply.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.
Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
Capital One
Capital One Entertainment provides eligible cardholders with exclusive tickets and VIP packages. These perks can include meet-and-greets, premium seats and complimentary food and beverages at certain events.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Annual fee: $0
Welcome bonus: Up to $300 in welcome bonuses: Earn a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Plus, enjoy a $100 Capital One Travel credit to use in the first year.
Why I like it: The Capital One Savor is a no-brainer for live entertainment fans.
This is because you’ll earn a whopping 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Not to mention, these cash-back rewards can be converted into fully transferable Capital One miles if you pair the Savor with an eligible Capital One card.
To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Savor Cash.
Learn more: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Annual fee: $95
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Why I like it: For a modest annual fee, Venture Rewards cardholders receive access to Capital One Entertainment and bonus earnings when they spend on tickets through the issuer.
You can truly start stacking the rewards by earning 5 miles per dollar spent on Capital One Entertainment purchases (through Dec. 31) and 2 miles per dollar spent on everything else.
To learn more, read our full review of the Venture Rewards.
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Annual fee: $395
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Why I like it: Venture X cardholders receive the highest level of premium rewards and exclusive experiences, including access to cardholder-exclusive events, which are opened on a first-come, first-served basis.
Plus, you’ll earn 5 miles per dollar spent on Capital One Entertainment purchases (through Dec. 31) and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases made with the card. The Venture X also provides a $300 annual statement credit that you can apply toward any travel booked through Capital One Travel, which makes it a fantastic option if you need to travel for shows.
To learn more, read our full review of the Venture X.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Chase
Chase cardholders receive access to Chase Experiences that include preferred seating, pop-up events for only Sapphire Reserve cardholders and on-site benefits like concession and merchandise discounts. For music fans, exclusive presales are provided to select events.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Annual fee: $795
Welcome bonus: Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Why I like it: The Sapphire Reserve provides top-tier access to exclusive pop-ups, lounges and presale tickets to multiple events each year. Music fans and festivalgoers will appreciate the perks of this premium card.
Plus, this card provides up to $300 in annual statement credits (up to $150 in biannual credits) on purchases made with StubHub and Viagogo (through Dec. 31, 2027), providing discounts on tickets year-round.
To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Reserve.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Citi
Citi cardholders receive access to Citi Entertainment, which offers presale access to tickets, preferred seating and VIP packages for certain events.
Citi Strata Elite Card
Annual fee: $595
Welcome bonus: For a limited time, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Why I like it: In addition to providing access to Citi Entertainment for exclusive presales and benefits, you’ll also receive up to $200 in Splurge statement credits each calendar year on your choice of up to two brands, including Live Nation (exclusions apply).
The card also earns 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases outside of its bonus categories, so you’ll get a higher rate of return for your ticket spending than you would with many other cards.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Strata Elite.
Apply here: Citi Strata Elite Card
Citi Strata Premier Card
Annual fee: $95
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Why I like it: The Citi Strata Premier provides access to all of Citi Entertainment’s benefits, but it’s an exceptionally great card to have if you need to travel to your event.
That’s because the card earns 3 points per dollar spent on air travel, other hotels, gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations and restaurants. You will also earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on cititravel.com.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Strata Premier.
Apply here: Citi Strata Premier Card
Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard
Annual fee: $350
Welcome bonus: For a limited time, earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 within the first four months of account opening.
Why I like it: The Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard is a solid card for concert purchases, since you’ll receive up to $100 in Splurge statement credits each calendar year on your choice of up to two merchants, including Live Nation (exclusions apply).
Plus, like the Strata Elite and Strata Premier, this card includes Citi Entertainment access.
If you’re an American Airlines loyalist, the Globe’s AA-related perks, plus the fact that you can earn miles to redeem for flights, make it a solid option if you have to travel for your show.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard.
Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard
Visa and Mastercard VIP benefits
Issuers aren’t the only providers of VIP benefits for cardholders. You can also receive premium perks from a card network, such as Visa or Mastercard. Be sure to check with your card network, since some benefits can come from a World Elite Mastercard or Visa Infinite card.
For instance, World Elite Mastercard holders receive access to the World Elite concierge, which can help you track down tickets for the most popular events that may be more difficult to get into.
Or, with a Visa Infinite card, you can receive access to Visa Infinite Experiences — exclusive events like concerts and music performances that are accessible with an eligible card.
Related: What’s the difference between a credit card network and issuer?
Bottom line
You can get more from your rewards cards than only travel-focused benefits. Each card detailed in this guide provides some level of entertainment benefits or perks for concerts and music festivals that the biggest music fans could use to make their experiences even more memorable.
To make a decision, you’ll want to weigh the amount you’re willing to pay toward annual fees against how much value you want to receive from your card.
With so many issuers granting some level of access to premium experiences, it’s worth comparing all the benefits and finding the right choice for you.
Related: The best credit cards to maximize your entertainment spending
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.