Cardholder Events: Ski with Lindsey Vonn or Experience the Derby, Oscars or Rio Carnival Like a VIP
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Update 1/23/17: Chase has confirmed that the skiing component of the ski weekend in Vail is sold out. However, you can put your name on a waitlist if you're still interested in attending the event. Also, you can still purchase tickets to the meet-and-greet event with the skiers, which costs $75.
Credit cards can give you more than just points and miles to use for free travel. One lesser-known perk: access to unbelievably hard-to-get-into events. TPG has enjoyed the Cayman Cookout as a Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card holder and got exclusive access at the Sundance Film Festival with his Chase Sapphire Preferred card. Some of these events can even be paid for with points — a great way to redeem rewards if you don't feel like traveling.
Check out these four upcoming events that are solely for people who have either a credit card or an account with the sponsoring loyalty program. Act quickly if you're thinking about attending an event, as many sell out quickly.
Ski with Champions Lindsey Vonn, Jonny Moseley and others in Vail, CO!
Host: Chase
Cost: $1,200
Location: Vail, Colorado
Date: March 25 - 26
Here's a unique opportunity for Chase customers: exclusive access to a weekend with some of the most legendary skiers to ever grace the slopes. Champion skiers Lindsey Vonn, Jonny Moseley, Phil Mahre and Steve Mahre will lead ski sessions to help improve your downhill and mogul skills, and guests can ski with these pros. After a long day on the mountain, kick back at the lodge and join the skiers for a fireside Q-and-A session. Buy tickets here.
Mingle with the Stars at the Grammy Awards
Host: Hilton
Cost: Current bid at 500,000 HHonors Points
Location: Los Angeles, California
Date: February 10 - 13
If you've ever wanted to walk the red carpet and feel like a star, this is your chance. Through the Hilton HHonors program, you can use your points for two tickets to the Grammy Awards, accommodations at the Beverly Hilton and a weekend of award show festivities. This is a pretty unique redemption, similar to TPG using his Chase Ultimate Reward points to attend the Emmys last year. Bidding ends on February 3.
Get the VIP Experience at the Kentucky Derby
Host: American Express
Cost: $4,800
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Date: May 4 - 5
Get out your best pastel suit, because with this VIP experience you'll be enjoying the Kentucky Derby in style. This package from American Express includes a private suite to view the races, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Churchill Downs barns and stables and an invitation to the post-race Winner's Party. Although this event is on the pricey side, TPG loved his experience at the most famous horse race in the world in 2015, and access to VIP areas helps you avoid the crowds. Ticket sales end on May 3.
Be a Part of the Rio Carnival
Host: Marriott
Cost: Current bid at 200,000 Marriott points
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Date: February 25 - 28
You can live the magic of the Rio Carnival with this priceless experience, as you'll get to walk in the parade with the famous Unidos Da Tijuca samba school in your very own Carnival costume. This two-person package from the Marriott Experiences Marketplace also includes tickets to the Rio Carnival VIP Lounge and a three-night stay at the luxurious AC Hotel Rio de Janeiro Porto Maravilha. Carnival lasts for a week, so you could extend your stay to enjoy Rio and all the festivities. Bidding ends on February 9.
Which events have your credit cards given you access to?
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
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