Going to the ACL Music Festival? Get a $5 credit, expedited entry and lounge access with an eligible Amex card
Editor's Note
Every fall, half a million music lovers congregate in downtown Austin’s Zilker Metropolitan Park to attend the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
This year’s headliners include Chappell Roan, Dua Lipa, Blink-182 and Tyler, the Creator. There are dozens of additional acts sprinkled across seven main stages.
With American Express sponsoring the event for the seventh time, having an Amex card will make it easier for you to enjoy the festival. Here are the perks you can enjoy.
For all cardmembers
$5 credit
Register your wristband by linking it to your American Express card and you’ll receive a one-time $5 credit applied to your wristband for cashless purchases at the festival. You’ll want to link a card anyway to make food, drink and merchandise purchases easier.
Just note that even though you may purchase food or drink, these transactions code as a general purchase. So it’s best to use one of the best cards for everyday purchases.
Expedited security
If music fuels your soul, but long lines aren’t your thing, American Express can get you “skip the line” access.
When you register your ACL wristband and link any Amex card, you can use your wristband at the American Express Cashless Entrance turnstiles at the Lady Bird Lake and Barton Springs West entrances. (Note that the Barton Springs East entrance — the most popular entry point — does not have an Amex fast-pass lane.)
Consider it TSA PreCheck for ACL. This will be especially helpful during busy times when the entrance and security scan lines can take over an hour.
Merchandise perks
Amex cardmembers who like to carry away more than memories and photos from their ACL experience can take advantage of three merch benefits:
- Merch customization room: While all festivalgoers can enter the Amex Experience (explained below), Amex cardmembers can grab a complimentary trucker hat or mini-tote bag that can be personalized with pins. These are available until supplies run out, so head here as one of your first stops at the festival.
- Mystery merch window: At a "mystery merch window" outside the Amex Experience, cardmembers can purchase a mystery box of Dua Lipa merchandise in addition to official ACL merch.
- Expedited merch lane: Cardmembers can access a dedicated fast lane to skip the main merch line.
To take advantage of these merchandise perks, your Amex card must be linked to your wristband; alternatively, you can show a physical card or the card in a digital wallet (photos are not accepted).
For premium cardmembers: Amex Saloon
A new Amex Saloon next to the American Express Stage features a saloon-inspired bar and lounge.
It can be accessed by those holding one of the following cards:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
- Centurion Card from American Express*
- The American Express Corporate Platinum Card®*
*The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The space will offer beverages for purchase, shaded lawn games and seating, and free, personalized boot branding — in keeping with this year's cowboy theme.
Tecovas will do the boot branding from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. each day on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible footwear is real leather or suede boots (no exotics). They will permanently brand the boots with letters, numbers or designs, including a heart, horseshoe and bucking bronco. The branding should take 10-15 minutes to complete.
Cardmembers can also sign up for viewing access from the side stage of the American Express Stage. (Note that there is usually a wait for this.)
Most cardmembers can bring one guest; Centurion cardmembers can bring up to three.
And your wristband won’t suffice for this space — you need to show your physical card or the card in a digital wallet like Apple Wallet (photos are not accepted).
For everyone: Amex Experience
All festivalgoers are invited to visit the American Express Experience.
Here, they'll find a disco-cowboy-inspired cash bar featuring cocktails and ready-to-drink beverages, including beer, wine, hard seltzers and nonalcoholic options.
There will also be a small-business market where attendees can shop from local Austin businesses selling festival items like accessories, artwork, jewelry and vintage apparel. Businesses featured in this year's market include Xtao, Future Vagabond and Paper Work.
The Amex Experience is open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Bottom line
Once your Amex card is linked to the registered wristband, you can use cashless payment for concessions, merchandise and other monetary transactions throughout the festival grounds.
The Amex Experience is open to all fans, regardless of whether they have an Amex card or not.
All Amex cardmembers can access merchandise perks, and premium cardmembers can also access the saloon to the right of the American Express Stage. All Amex-registered wristband owners also receive a one-time $5 cashless spending credit, redeemable on a single transaction at any cashless-accepting merchants on ACL festival grounds.
As an attendee of the festival for most of the past decade, I recommend downloading the latest version of the ACL Music Festival app to help with your planning.
Start organizing your schedule, put on your dancing shoes (or boots) and see you at Zilker Park soon.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.