Concert Lover? Check Out These Amex Perks

Summer opens up a host of new possibilities for seeing your favourite bands and artists — in an intimate venue or a large amphitheatre — under the stars.

But competing with other music lovers to get access to the tickets you want when they go on sale can be an exercise in luck and timing.

Fortunately, through events, presales and special offers curated through its American Express Experiences program, Amex cardmembers have the chance to skip the often-frustrating ticket buying process and move straight into summer music mode.

If you’re an Amex cardholder, here’s how to make the most of your card perks to enjoy this summer’s best concerts and live events.

Snag presale and reserved tickets

Music lovers can get special access to concert tickets when charging those purchases in full to an American Express card.

Through Amex’s Front of the Line perks, cardholders can access presale tickets to certain concerts before the public on-sale period. If you miss the pre-sale, may be able to purchase seats from a block of reserved tickets after they go on general sale, until all seats are sold out.

Cardholders can access these tickets through the American Express Entertainment website under Card Member Access/Early Access, or on Ticketmaster by choosing “Front Of The Line by American Express Experiences reserved ticket/presale ticket” under Filters—Ticket Type, entering your presale code, if applicable, and checking out with your American Express card.

Examples of Amex Front of the Line tickets available to cardholders this summer in Toronto include:

Post Malone
50 Cent
Sloan
Blue Rodeo
The National
Shania Twain

Access venue benefits like Priority Line and Priority Bars

Using an Amex card onsite can also result in ‘enhanced fan experiences’ at some venues, like access to dedicated entrances and special offers at the concession stands.

At Toronto’s Budweiser Stage, for example, cardholders can access the American Express Entrance at the front gate by presenting a valid American Express Card, which allows you to skip the line at the general entrance. An Amex card can also get you into the VIP American Express Lounge at the venue, which has extended menu options, private washrooms, a DJ and other perks.

Amex cardholders also receive 10% off their concession purchases and exclusive card member entrances at certain global venues, including Brooklyn New York’s Barclays Center and the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

For fans of musicals, several theatres — including the Royal Alexandra, Princess of Wales and Ed Mirvish Theatres in Toronto — offer a concession priority line or select priority bars during events for cardholders paying for their snacks and drinks with a valid American Express card.

Redeem annual travel credits

If you’re travelling to see a concert this summer, select Amex cards may be able to take the sting out of the added cost.

The Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Gold Rewards cards offer annual travel credits to use towards a single travel booking made using American Express Travel online, for instance.

This travel credit is issued each year based on your card’s anniversary date and has to be redeemed within the same year, with no ability to carry it forward.

Choosing an Amex rewards card to boost your summer fun

If you don’t have an Amex rewards card yet, it’s not too late to find the one with the features — as well as the annual fee and rewards level — that works best for your lifestyle and take advantage of this summer’s best music.

All Amex cards come with the opportunity to purchase Front Of The Line presale and reserved tickets to some of the hottest concerts this summer. Some also offer extra benefits and special offers curated for cardmembers that will allow you to do even more.

As always, when choosing a credit card, be sure to consider eligibility requirements, rates and fees, and how well rewards categories match your spending habits.