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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
The best credit cards for concerts and music festivals
Featured image by KEVIN WINTER/TAS24/GETTY IMAGES FOR TAS RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
May 22, 2026 • 12 min read
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Quick summary
Festival season brings opportunities for music fans to access exclusive perks through select rewards cards, including VIP areas and presale ticket access.
Many cards offer statement credits or additional benefits for purchases related to concerts and music festivals, helping to offset ticket costs.
Some cards grant access to special events, lounges or premium experiences, while others provide elevated rewards at entertainment merchants.
Comparing available options can help you find the best fit for maximizing music and festival-related benefits.
What to consider
Eligibility for certain perks may require enrollment or be limited to specific card tiers or networks.
Statement credits and rewards often apply only to purchases with select merchants or within defined time frames, with exclusions possible.
Some premium experiences or credits may have annual or biannual limits, and activation may be required.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of entertainment-focused card benefits, including which perks align best with different concert and festival needs.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
We're in the thick of festival season, which means live music tickets are top of mind for many music fanatics out there.
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.
Our favorite rewards credit cards for concerts and music festivals can take you there while lessening the sting of expensive tickets. That's because some of these cards can provide statement credits, while others include additional perks toward certain purchases associated with concerts and festivals.
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
Access Capital One Entertainment, which has exclusive ticket sales and VIP experiences
With the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn 3% cash back on other entertainment purchases.
With the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, earn 5 miles per dollar spent on Capital One Entertainment purchases. Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on other ticket purchases.
Access Citi Entertainment, which offers presale ticket access, VIP event experiences and preferred seating
With the Citi Strata Elite Card, earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on ticket purchases. Receive up to $200 in Splurge statement credits each calendar year on your choice of up to two brands, including Live Nation (exclusions apply).
With the Citi Strata Premier Card, earn 1 point per dollar spent on ticket purchases.
With the Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard, earn 1 mile per dollar spent on ticket purchases. Receive up to $100 in Splurge statement credits each calendar year on your choice of up to two merchants, including Live Nation (exclusions apply).
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 $12,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
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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.
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 lodging booked with Amex Travel.
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: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
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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.
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus receive a $300 credit to use on hotel and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel in the first cardholder year.
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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 and 2 miles per dollar spent on everything else.
Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
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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 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.
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 for select events.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Annual fee: $795
Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
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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 offers up to $300 in annual statement credits (up to $150 in biannual credits) on purchases made with StubHub and Viagogo (through Dec. 31, 2027; activation required), providing year-round discounts on tickets.
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: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
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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.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
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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.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
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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 ability to earn miles to redeem for flights, make it a solid option if you have to travel for your show.
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, as some benefits may be available with a World Elite Mastercard or a Visa Infinite card.
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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.
Earn rewards on concert tickets with Rakuten or Rove
You can also earn cash back or travel rewards by buying tickets with certain merchants through Rakuten and Rove.
With Rakuten's online shopping portal, you can purchase tickets from multiple vendors, including Live Nation, Ticketmaster and Vivid Seats, among others. Through Rakuten, you can earn cash back, American Express Membership Rewards points or Bilt Points.
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Meanwhile, you can collect valuable bonus miles with Rove by making purchases with merchants, including SeatGeek and StubHub. Keep in mind that rewards from Rakuten and Rove are unlikely to post until after the event.
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.
