American Express cardholders do have access to presale tickets for select events on Ticketmaster. However, there are some important things to keep in mind about Amex presale tickets:
How Amex Presales Work on Ticketmaster
Amex partners with Ticketmaster to offer cardholders early access to tickets before the general public for certain concerts, shows, and sporting events. This gives Amex customers the chance to buy tickets before they sell out to the general public.
To access Amex presales on Ticketmaster, you must have an eligible American Express card. Presale event dates, times and ticket allotments vary. There is no guarantee you will get tickets just because you have an Amex card.
Here are some key things to know about American Express presale tickets on Ticketmaster:
Availability | Only certain events will have an Amex presale. Ticketmaster and the event organizer determine availability. |
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Eligible Cards | You typically need an eligible U.S. issued American Express card. Some events only allow select cards. Debit cards and Prepaid cards are sometimes excluded. |
Presale Days and Times | Each presale will have specific dates and times when cards can be used to purchase tickets. This window is before the general public onsale. |
Buying Limit | There is often a limit to the number of tickets you can buy in the Amex presale, such as 2 or 4 tickets. |
Access | You need to access the presale through the specific Amex presale link on Ticketmaster. You cannot buy presale tickets just by logging into your Ticketmaster account. |
Eligible Markets | Amex presales may only be available in certain countries/markets. For example, it may be a U.S. presale only. |
Promotions | Sometimes Amex cardholders get special presale ticket promotions or preferred seating options. |
How to Access Amex Presales on Ticketmaster
Follow these steps to access Amex presale tickets on Ticketmaster:
- Check the Amex Experiences site or Ticketmaster on the day before the presale to search for any presales. There will be a designated Amex presale page for eligible events.
- Click the link for the specific event you want tickets for. This will take you to the Amex presale page on Ticketmaster.
- Make sure you are logged into your Ticketmaster account and have an eligible Amex card added to the account.
- Be ready on the website a few minutes before the presale time. Refresh the page at the start time to access tickets.
- Search for your desired tickets and add them to your cart.
- Complete your purchase quickly as tickets sell out fast. Presales often last for one day only.
Having an eligible American Express card in your Ticketmaster account is key. You will not be able to access Amex presales without adding an eligible Amex card as a payment method.
Tips for Amex Presale Tickets
Here are some helpful tips to improve your chances of scoring Amex presale tickets on Ticketmaster:
- Log into Ticketmaster in advance and make sure you have an eligible Amex card added to your account.
- Be ready on Ticketmaster right at the presale start time and refresh often.
- Have a few different events in mind in case your first choice sells out quickly.
- Try for both lower bowl and upper bowl seats to increase your chances.
- Only try for the number of tickets allowed in the presale limit.
- Use Ticketmaster’s interactive seat maps to preview available seats before going through checkout.
- Complete checkout as quickly as possible once tickets are in your cart.
- Follow Amex and the event on social media for presale notifications.
The Amex presale window is usually very limited (sometimes only 1-2 hours). So you need to be strategic and prepared to get tickets before the general public has access.
The Benefits of Amex Presales
Here are some of the potential benefits of using Amex presales on Ticketmaster:
- Earlier access – Presales allow you to purchase tickets before the general public
- Better seat selection – You may have access to preferred seats before they sell out
- Fewer sold out events – Popular shows are less likely to sell out completely
- Special promotions – Amex cardholders sometimes get special presale offers
- Less competition – There are fewer buyers competing for the same tickets
- Easier checkout – Less website traffic can prevent crashes and speed up checkout
Of course, there is no guarantee you will get tickets, but an Amex presale improves your chances. It gives cardholders an advantage over the general public.
The Downsides of Amex Presales
While Amex presales provide an early ticket access opportunity, there are some potential downsides to consider as well:
- Limited event availability – Only some events have Amex presales
- Short presale window – You only get 1-2 hours usually to buy tickets
- Not all cards eligible – Entry-level Amex cards may not qualify for presales
- Buying limits – The number of tickets you can buy may be restricted
- High demand – Popular events still sell out quickly even in presales
- Requires planning – You need to be ready on Ticketmaster right at presale time
So while Amex presales provide an advantage, they do not guarantee you will get tickets to high demand events. Having reasonable expectations is important.
Conclusion
American Express cardholders do have access to presale tickets before the general public through Ticketmaster for select events and concerts. However, eligibility, availability, and buying limits can apply.
The key is making sure you have an eligible American Express card added to your Ticketmaster account. Then you need to prepare in advance and log in right as the Amex presale window opens to maximize your chances.
Amex presales give cardholders an opportunity to beat the crowds and purchase tickets to popular shows and games. But you still have to strategize and act quickly to secure your seats before other buyers swoop in.
Overall, Amex presale tickets can be a nice cardholder benefit. But managing expectations is important, as demand still outpaces supply for the most in-demand events.