How To Use Your Credit Card To Get Concert Tickets Early
Whether you consider yourself a Swiftie, you’ve probably heard about the Ticketmaster fiasco around the upcoming Taylor Swift concert tour. Things were so bad that execs from Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation, were called to testify at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in late January.
The company blamed bots and the scalping industry amid questions from senators about its perceived monopoly on concert ticket sales. Regardless of the reasons, one thing is clear: Buying concert tickets isn’t as easy as it should be, especially for popular artists or bands. But some credit card companies offer presale ticket access as a perk for select cardholders.
4 things to know about using your credit card to get concert tickets early
Here’s what you should know if you want to use a credit card to access ticket presales and skip the purchasing rush.
No. 1: You may need to get a new credit card
You’ll typically need a rewards credit card to access benefits like ticket presales. But if that means you’d need a new credit card, proceed with caution.
“Opening a new credit card isn’t something to do lightly,” says Matt Schulz, LendingTree chief credit analyst. “I’d really only suggest it if you were angling for tickets to see an artist you love. If you’ve been a Swiftie for years and never seen Taylor perform live, that’s one thing. If it’s a band you’re lukewarm about, that’s something else.”
Some questions you should ask yourself include:
- Are you comfortable managing the extra credit card?
- Is your credit in a solid position to qualify for a new credit card?
- Will getting a new credit card increase your chances of taking on debt?
- Are you willing and able to sign up for autopay or keep a close eye on your new payment due date to avoid missing payments?
“If you’re worried about any of that, you may be better off not getting that new card,” Schulz says. “Instead, you could see if anyone else you’d want to go to the show with would have a credit card from that issuer. Then they could buy the tickets at the presale and you can pay them back.”
No. 2: You should carefully examine the card details
Some of the biggest players in the credit card space offer early access to concerts.
“American Express, Citi and Capital One, in particular, offer presale access to concerts,” Schulz says. “Chase also offers exclusive access to events, though the other three issuers typically are more focused on concerts.”
But, as with any credit card, it’s important to carefully review the associated interest rate, fees and perks before applying.
No. 3: You’ll need to time your application strategically
If there’s an upcoming concert for which you want early ticket access, it’s important to consider the timing of your credit card application.
“If you want to get a card to use in presale, don’t wait until the last minute to apply for the card,” Schulz says. “Often, it can take a couple of weeks to get your new card number. Without it, you may be out of luck with the presale. That would be disappointing. The last thing you want is to apply for a card for one specific purpose and then get the card too late to be able to use it the way you wanted.”
No. 4: Presale tickets aren’t a cure-all
Presales are usually separate from the general ticket sale. As a result, you might not find the specific seating areas you’re hoping for when you buy via a presale.
If you’re looking to book a one-in-a-lifetime concert, that’s something to consider. It may not be an issue for more casual concertgoers. Either way, checking out the presale tickets is a good way to gauge your options and make the best decision to get your desired experience.