American Express Membership Rewards points are a great way to pay for Broadway show tickets without having to shell out large amounts of cash. Amex points can be redeemed in various ways, including transferring to airline partners or using them to book travel through AmexTravel.com. But one of the best redemptions is to use Amex points to purchase gift cards and certificates that can then be used to buy Broadway tickets right from the theatre or a ticketing website.
Overview of American Express Membership Rewards
The American Express Membership Rewards program allows cardmembers to earn points on eligible everyday purchases made with their enrolled American Express cards. Points can be earned with cards like the Platinum Card from American Express, American Express Gold Card, and Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express.
Membership Rewards points are extremely valuable because they can be redeemed in many different ways. You can use points to book flights with airline partners, transfer points to hotel loyalty programs, use points for shopping through the Amex portal, redeem for gift cards, get statement credits, and more. This flexibility makes Membership Rewards one of the most useful point programs.
One of the best ways to use Membership Rewards points is to redeem for gift cards and shop with points certificates. This allows you to get maximum value from your points instead of using them for statement credits or other less valuable options. And one great way to use gift cards is to purchase Broadway show tickets!
Using Amex Points for Broadway Tickets
It’s easy to use American Express points to buy Broadway tickets. Here are the basic steps:
- Transfer Amex points to a gift card partner
- Redeem points for a gift card or shop with points certificate
- Use the gift card to purchase Broadway tickets directly or through a ticketing site
You have a few different gift card redemption options to choose from:
Amex Gift Cards
You can redeem Membership Rewards points for American Express gift cards. The redemption rate is 1 cent per point. So a $100 Amex gift card would cost 10,000 Membership Rewards points. You can then use the Amex gift card to buy Broadway tickets from the official theatre box office or a ticketing website.
Amazon Gift Cards
Another good option is using points for Amazon.com gift cards. You can redeem points for Amazon cards at a rate of 0.8 cents per point. A $100 Amazon gift card would be 12,500 points. Amazon sells both e-gift cards and physical gift cards which can be used for Broadway tickets.
Points + Cash for Purchases
You may be able to use the Pay With Points option when shopping directly through the American Express site. This allows you to pay for part of a purchase with points and the remainder with your linked card. For example, you could redeem 5,000 points and then charge the rest to your Amex card.
Shop With Points Portals
American Express also has special Shop With Points portals that allow you to redeem points for purchases from select retailers. You can browse the online shopping portals to look for Broadway tickets and shows. The redemption rate is typically 1 cent per point or better.
Where to Buy Broadway Tickets
Once you have your Amex gift card, points certificate, or points balance available, here are some places where you can purchase Broadway tickets:
Directly from the Theatre
The best way to buy Broadway tickets is directly from the official theatre box office. You can visit the box office in person or contact them by phone to purchase tickets. Pay with your Amex gift card when checking out. Often you can get better seats and avoid fees buying direct.
Telecharge
Telecharge.com is the official site for buying tickets to many Broadway shows online and over the phone. Create an account, browse dates and shows, and select your seats. Enter your gift card info when going through checkout.
Ticketmaster
While not as broad as Telecharge, Ticketmaster does sell tickets to some popular Broadway musicals and plays. Check Ticketmaster.com to see if your desired show is available. You can use Amex gift cards to pay for your tickets.
Other Ticketing Websites
In addition to the official Telecharge site, there are many secondary marketplaces and ticketing services like Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, StubHub, and more. These sites may charge higher fees but you can find last minute deals on sold out shows. You can purchase tickets using Amex gift cards.
Amex Experiences
For some shows, you may be able to book Broadway tickets directly using your American Express Membership Rewards points through the Amex Experiences site or app. There are typically premium ticket packages and deals available.
The Best Way to Redeem for Maximum Value
To get the most value when redeeming Membership Rewards points for Broadway tickets, your best option is typically to transfer points to airline frequent flyer programs. You can then use those miles to book award flights to New York City. This method allows you to redeem points at a value usually above 1 cent each toward airfare.
For example, you could transfer points to Avios and book an American Airlines award flight from the west coast to NYC for only 12,500 Avios each way. If you booked a $500 roundtrip ticket, you redeemed your transferred points at a rate of 4 cents per point – much higher than redeeming for gift cards or cash back.
When you want to maximize the value of your American Express points, using them for flights to NYC and then paying cash for Broadway tickets is generally the best approach. But for simplicity, redeeming points for gift cards to purchase Broadway tickets can be a great option.
Pros of Using Points for Broadway Tickets
There are many benefits to using Amex Membership Rewards points for Broadway show tickets:
- Allows you to see popular shows for less out of pocket cash
- Points don’t expire so long as the card account remains open
- Redeeming points is simple and instant with gift cards
- Can avoid foreign transaction fees using points instead of foreign currency
- Get access to high demand shows that may be sold out if paying cash
- Free up cash for other expenses like flights, hotels, restaurants
As long as you have sufficient points in your account, using them to cover some or all of the cost of Broadway tickets is a great redemption option.
Cons of Using Points for Broadway Tickets
There are a few potential downsides to using Membership Rewards points for Broadway shows:
- Redeeming for gift cards doesn’t provide the highest value
- You may miss out on promotions or discounts when paying 100% with points
- Award tickets and hotel rooms might provide better overall value
- Gift cards may expire if unused for too long
- Requires having enough points to cover the full cost of tickets
- Doesn’t help you earn 5x or bonus points like you would by paying with Amex card
However, if you have a surplus of points and want a simple way to cover entertainment costs, using Amex points for Broadway tickets is a solid choice.
Tips for Using Points for Broadway Tickets
Follow these tips to maximize value when redeeming Membership Rewards points for Broadway shows:
- Compare redemption rates and choose the best gift card partner
- Buy directly from the theatre box office when possible to get better seats
- Check point transfer partners to consider using miles for flights instead
- Take advantage of Amex Offers for statement credits at Telecharge or other ticketing sites
- Use the Amex APP to easily redeem points for e-gift cards
- Don’t pay unnecessary fees – choose sites that accept gift cards directly
- Make sure your points won’t expire soon and cost you the tickets
Planning ahead, understanding the different redemption options, and shopping around for the best deal will allow you to optimize value and experience Broadway on points!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to use Amex points for Broadway tickets?
The simplest option is to redeem points for an American Express or Amazon gift card, then use it to purchase tickets directly from the theatre box office or on Telecharge. You can also transfer points to frequent flyer programs and book award flights to NYC instead.
What is the cheapest way to redeem Amex points for Broadway tickets?
The cheapest redemption option is typically to get an Amex gift card at a rate of 1 cent per point. However, transferring points to airline partners can sometimes get you more value per point.
How many Amex points do Broadway tickets cost?
The number of points needed will depend on the show, seat location, demand, and time of year. Typically you can expect to spend between 15,000 – 60,000 or more points per ticket for a popular high-demand Broadway musical.
Can you use Amex points at the Telecharge box office?
No, Telecharge only accepts normal payment methods. But you can purchase an American Express gift card with your points, then use that gift card on Telecharge to buy Broadway tickets.
Are there any fees for using Amex points for Broadway tickets?
When redeeming points for gift cards, there are typically no fees. You may incur fees buying tickets from a third party site. There are no fees for booking directly from the theatre box office either.
The Bottom Line
Redeeming American Express Membership Rewards points for gift cards to purchase Broadway show tickets can be a great way to save money on popular and expensive theatre tickets. While it’s not the absolute maximum value redemption, it’s a simple and guaranteed way to cover some or all of your Broadway expenses with points.
Be sure to compare your different redemption options, watch for promotions and discounts, and buy early to get the best seats. With a little strategic planning, you can experience an amazing Broadway show using your hard-earned Amex points.