Want concert presale access? Don't be loyal to one bank
Receiving VIP access and other entertainment perks from credit cards isn't new. However, recent ticket presales for Taylor Swift and Beyoncé have highlighted the importance of having the right credit card. In some cases, it can be the difference between snagging the perfect tickets and spending your afternoon crying in the office bathroom.
And if you've been keeping up, you probably noticed that different concerts offer presale perks for different cardholders. That means that your favorite credit card may not be enough to get you into the shows you're dying to see.
Let's break down why you should keep at least one card from each of the major issuers in your wallet so that you never miss a chance to get the concert ticket of your dreams.
Why you need cards from all of the major issuers
To make sure you always have VIP and presale ticket access, carry at least one card each from the four major issuers:
Every issuer offers its own set of entertainment benefits and access, so having at least one card from each of them will ensure you never miss out on a specific event or presale.
For example, Taylor Swift presale tickets were (supposedly) available to any Capital One cardholder. Similarly, you needed a Citi card to register for early access to Beyoncé's tour.
If you can collect at least one card from every issuer, you'll improve your chances of getting access to tickets for major concerts and festivals.
Related: What's the difference between a network and an issuer?
Our favorite no-annual-fee cards from each issuer
Of course, many popular cards from these issuers come with annual fees — some of which are nearly $700. However, if you're looking to save money but still enjoy access to tickets, you can get no-annual-fee cards from each one so you can cover your bases. Then, when the perfect presale presents itself, you're likely to be covered.
If you're starting from scratch, we always recommend prioritizing Chase cards to ensure you're in good standing for the bank's 5/24 rule and thus eligible for a new card from them. After that, you can go on to collect cards from the other issuers in any order.
Here are our favorite cards with no annual fee from each issuer:
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Welcome bonus: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back (or 1.5 points per dollar) on all purchases up to $20,000 spent in the first year.
Annual fee: $0.
Why we like it: The Freedom Unlimited earns 5% back on travel booked through the Chase portal, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
In addition to getting you access to Chase Entertainment, this card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, so you'll earn more on whatever tickets you're buying than you would with most cards.
For more details, check out our full review of the Freedom Unlimited.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome bonus: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $0
Why we like them: This card pulls double duty: You'll get VIP access through Capital One Entertainment and earn bonus rewards on your entertainment purchases. You'll earn 8% cash back on purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 3% bonus cash back on all other entertainment purchases, making this one of the best cards for buying concert and other live entertainment tickets.
It even waives foreign transaction fees on purchases outside the U.S. — a relative rarity for a no-annual-fee credit card.
For more details, check out our full card review of the SavorOne.
Apply here: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months of card membership.
Annual fee: $0 (see rates and fees).
Why we like it: This card earns an impressive 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, at U.S. supermarkets and at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases for each category, then 1%), making this an excellent go-to card for daily spending in addition to unlocking access to many American Express Experiences.
Cash back is received in the form of reward dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Blue Cash Everyday.
Apply here: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Citi® Double Cash Card
Welcome bonus: None.
Annual fee: $0.
Why we like it: The Double Cash earns 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay), so you'll earn a solid return on all your spending as well as gain access to all that Citi Entertainment has to offer.
For more details, check out our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
Apply here: Citi® Double Cash Card
Bottom line
Having the right credit card can make you the hero (or envy) of your friend group. Keep at least one card from each of the four major issuers in your wallet and never again miss a concert ticket presale again.
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Cash Everyday, click here.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended 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.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees