American Express Membership Rewards points are incredibly valuable and can be used for all kinds of great redemptions. One of the most popular ways to use Amex points is to purchase concert and event tickets. In this article, we’ll look at everything you need to know about using American Express points for concert tickets.
Overview of Using Amex Points for Concerts
The American Express Membership Rewards program allows cardholders to earn points on everyday purchases. These points can then be redeemed for statement credits, gift cards, travel, merchandise and more. One great option is to use Amex points to buy tickets to concerts, shows, sporting events and other live entertainment.
There are a couple different ways to go about using American Express points for concert tickets:
- Transfer points to entertainment and ticketing partners
- Redeem points directly through Amex Travel for some events
- Use Pay with Points to cover ticket purchases
The best option depends on factors like which Amex card you have, where the event is located and how many points you want to use. We’ll break down the different redemption methods in more detail below.
Transfer Amex Points to Entertainment Partners
One of the best ways to use American Express points for concerts and shows is to transfer them to Amex’s entertainment and ticketing partners. Here are some of the main transfer options for event tickets:
- Vivid Seats: Transfer Amex points at a 1:1 ratio to your Vivid Seats account, which can be used to purchase tickets to over 100,000 sports, concert and theater events.
- Ticketmaster: Transfer points to your Ticketmaster account at a 1:1 ratio to redeem for Ticketmaster concert, sports and theater tickets.
- NFL Extra Points: Transfer points to get tickets, merchandise and more for NFL games.
- Telecharge: Use transferred points for Broadway and off-Broadway show tickets in New York City.
The main advantage of transferring Amex points is that you can get maximum value from your points if you redemption them for expensive front-row or VIP tickets. Most transfer ratios are 1:1, so 1,000 Amex points would equal $10 off the ticket price. Another perk is that there are no blackout dates or restrictions when transferring points.
Transfer Requirements
However, there are a few requirements to keep in mind for transferring Amex points:
- You need an eligible American Express card like the Gold Card, Platinum Card or Business Platinum.
- Points must be transferred in blocks of 1,000 points (1,000, 2,000, 5,000, etc).
- Partners may charge service fees on top of the ticket price.
As long as you have an eligible Amex card, transferring points can be one of the simplest ways to score concert and event tickets. You just need to make sure your points balance is high enough to cover the full ticket cost.
Redeem Amex Points Through Amex Travel
In addition to transfer partners, American Express Membership Rewards points can also be redeemed directly through the Amex Travel portal. While not as extensive as what’s available through transfers, Amex Travel does offer tickets to select concert, theater and sporting events around the world.
To use Amex Travel, you’ll simply log into your American Express account online or through the mobile app. Search for the event you want to attend and go through the booking process. When it’s time to pay, you can choose the option to pay with points.
Amex Travel Concert Options
Here are some of the concerts, festivals and events that may be available through Amex Travel:
- Major concert tours (pop, rock, country, classical, etc.)
- Music festivals like Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza
- Broadway and Las Vegas shows
- Sporting events like MLB, NFL, NHL and NBA games
- Auto races, PGA golf tournaments
- Cirque du Soleil performances
Inventory can vary widely, but you may find tickets to major events like The Masters golf tournament or even the Super Bowl when available through Amex Travel.
Amex Travel Pros and Cons
Here are some key things to keep in mind when redeeming Amex points for events through Amex Travel:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
No transaction fees | Limited event inventory |
Easy online booking process | May require more points than transfers |
Available to all Membership Rewards cards | No access to resale ticket market |
While not as robust as transferring points, using Amex Travel can be a simpler option depending on the event you want to attend. There are no service fees, but the ticket prices in points are often higher than getting 1 cent per point in value through transfers.
Covering Ticket Purchases with Pay with Points
The final option for using American Express points for concerts and events is Pay with Points. This feature allows you to use Amex points to cover eligible purchases on your card.
To use Pay with Points for concert tickets, you would simply make the ticket purchase directly through the seller as normal. This could be through an official box office, Ticketmaster, StubHub, SeatGeek or any other merchant. When your American Express statement generates, you can opt to redeem points to completely or partially cover the ticket purchase.
Benefits of Pay with Points
Here are some of the potential benefits of using Pay with Points for tickets:
- Access tickets from any seller that accepts American Express
- Avoid ticket transfer timing restrictions
- Use points as statement credits for purchases already made
- Get exactly 1 cent per point in value
Pay with Points gives you maximum flexibility in where you can purchase tickets. You aren’t limited to certain sellers that partner with Amex. However, you do need to make sure to complete the points redemption after the purchase posts to your statement.
Drawbacks of Pay with Points
A couple potential drawbacks to note with Pay with Points:
- No bonus value – redemptions are 1 cent per point
- Need to wait for statement to close before redeeming points
- Only certain American Express cards are eligible
While it provides flexibility, Pay with Points doesn’t offer any boosted value. You’re getting 1 cent per point, unlike transfer partners which can potentially get you 2 cents or more in value per point. You also have to wait for transactions to post to your statement before the option to redeem points becomes available.
Comparing the Best Way to Use Amex Points for Concerts
To summarize the key differences, here is an overview of the best ways to use American Express points for concert and event tickets:
Option | Value Per Point | Tickets Available | Fees |
---|---|---|---|
Transfer to Partners | Often 2 cents or more | Very extensive for partners | May have service fees |
Amex Travel Portal | Usually 1 cent or less | Only select ticket inventory | No fees |
Pay with Points | Exactly 1 cent per point | Any that accept Amex cards | No fees |
As you can see, transferring points to entertainment partners typically provides the most value per point and most extensive access to concerts and events. However, Amex Travel offers a simpler booking process and Pay with Points allows you to use points for tickets from virtually any seller. All three options can make concerts and shows more affordable!
Best Amex Cards for Concert Tickets
To maximize your options for using American Express points on concert tickets, you’ll want to make sure you have an eligible Amex card. Here are some of the best Amex cards for earning points and redeeming them for concerts:
- Platinum Card from American Express – Earn 5x points on flights and 1x points on other purchases. Provides access to transfer partners and Amex Travel. $695 annual fee.
- Gold Card from American Express – Strong earning rates with 4x points at restaurants, 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1x), 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. $250 annual fee.
- American Express Green Card – Earns 3x points on travel and transit, 3x points at restaurants worldwide. Relatively affordable $150 annual fee.
- Amex EveryDay Card – Earn 2x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1x), plus 20% extra points when you use the card 30+ times in a billing period. No annual fee.
Maximizing your points across multiple categories of spending is key to building up a balance for redeeming on concert and event tickets. The Platinum Card remains the premium option for concierge access to tickets, while the Gold Card and Green Card are great for earning on dining purchases.
Tips for Buying Concert Tickets with Amex Points
Here are some tips to make the most of using your American Express points for concerts, shows and sporting events:
- Compare ticket prices and fees. Ticket prices can vary greatly between sellers. Make sure to check places like Amex Travel, Ticketmaster, StubHub, Vivid Seats and more to find the best combination of ticket price and fees in points.
- Look for presales and special promotions. Many concerts have presale windows for American Express cardholders to purchase tickets before the general public. This can help secure better seats before they sell out.
- Purchase early for the widest selection. Buying tickets as soon as sales open gives you first pick of all available seats before inventory becomes limited closer to the event date.
- Consider VIP or front row seats. Using points can make expensive VIP, meet-and-greet and front row tickets more affordable. Sitting up close can greatly enhance the concert experience.
- Buy official platinum tickets for sold out shows. If a concert is sold out, official platinum tickets that get released later are often available through Amex ticket partners.
Planning ahead, acting quickly once tickets go on sale, and comparing all your options using Amex points are key to scoring great seats at popular shows. Redeeming points can take concerts from out of budget to an affordable reality.
Bottom Line
American Express Membership Rewards points unlock a world of possibilities for concert and event tickets. You can transfer points to entertainment partners for maximum value, book through Amex Travel for simplicity, or use Pay with Points for flexibility. Just make sure to compare your options to find the best redemption method for a given show.
Concerts, Broadway performances, music festivals, and sporting events can create lifelong memories. Now your Amex card can help make those experiences more accessible. With the right strategy, you can enjoy front row seats and VIP treatment while redeeming hard-earned points and ultimately saving money. So next time your favorite musician goes on tour or the big game comes to town, American Express points can get you in the door in style.