When it comes to finding the best Capital One credit card for concert tickets, there are a few key factors to consider. The main things to look at are the rewards rate for entertainment purchases, whether the card offers bonus rewards for entertainment, and any other entertainment-related perks or benefits.
Cards with High Rewards Rates for Entertainment
Many Capital One cards earn rewards points or miles on all purchases, with no special bonus for entertainment. However, a few do offer elevated earn rates in this category:
- Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card – Earns 3% cash back on entertainment purchases, including tickets for concerts, plays, movies, sports events, and more.
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card – Earns 4% cash back on entertainment, including concert tickets.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – Earns 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, including entertainment. Miles can be redeemed for statement credits to offset many purchases, including concert tickets.
Of these options, the Savor Cash Rewards card offers the highest potential rewards rate at 4% back. However, it does have a $95 annual fee, so the SavorOne card may be a better choice for low to moderate spenders who want to avoid an annual fee.
Cards with Entertainment Bonuses
A couple of Capital One cards offer special bonuses specifically for entertainment purchases:
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card – New cardholders earn a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months of account opening. Entertainment purchases, including concert tickets, count towards meeting the spending requirement.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card – New cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus miles (equal to $600 in travel) after spending $3,000 on purchases within 3 months of account opening. Entertainment purchases help qualify for the bonus.
Earning a large signup bonus can offset the cost of concert tickets. Just be sure to pay off the balance in full.
Entertainment Perks
A couple of Capital One cards also offer entertainment-related statement credits or access:
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card – Cardholders get a $300 annual statement credit to use towards eligible entertainment purchases, including tickets for concerts, sports events, and more. The credit helps offset the $95 annual fee.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Offers up to $300 back annually in statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, which can be used to book tickets for concerts, plays, and other events. The card has a $395 annual fee.
Other Factors to Consider
In addition to rewards rates, bonuses, and perks, a few other factors are important when picking the best Capital One card for concert tickets:
- Signup Bonus Value – Consider not just the bonus amount but whether you’ll realistically spend enough to earn the full bonus based on your expected concert spending.
- Annual Fee – Make sure perks and rewards exceed the fee, or opt for a no annual fee card like the SavorOne.
- Redemption Options – Some Capital One cards offer cash back while others offer flexible travel miles. Choose the redemption method that best suits your needs.
- Purchase Protection – Entertainment transactions typically aren’t covered, but some cards include protections like extended warranty that could come in handy.
- Credit Needed – Cards like the Venture require good credit, while others are more readily approved for average credit.
The Best Capital One Card Options for Concert Tickets
Based on the rewards rates, bonuses, perks, fees, and other factors, here are my top 3 picks for the best Capital One card for concert tickets:
Card | Key Benefits for Concerts |
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Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards |
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Capital One Savor Cash Rewards |
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Capital One Venture Rewards |
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The SavorOne is likely the best option for most people wanting to maximize concert rewards with no annual fee. The Savor can be worth it for bigger concert spenders who can take advantage of the higher earn rate and annual credit. The Venture is a solid flexible travel card that also works for concert rewards.
The Best Capital One Cards for Different Credit Profiles
Capital One issues cards across the credit spectrum. Here are some top options based on your credit profile:
Credit Profile | Best Capital One Card for Concerts |
---|---|
Excellent Credit | Venture X Rewards (premium perks) |
Good/Excellent Credit | Venture Rewards (flexible miles) |
Average Credit | Platinum (easy approval, no fee) |
Fair/Average Credit | Platinum Secured (secured card to build credit) |
Limited/Poor Credit | Secured Mastercard (secured card for poor credit) |
Student | Journey Student Rewards (student card) |
Focus first on getting approved, then look for a card with the highest rewards and perks for your spending habits.
How to Earn the Most Rewards on Concert Tickets
Follow these tips to maximize your rewards from a Capital One card when buying concert tickets:
- Use the right card – Make sure to use a Capital One card that offers bonus rewards on entertainment or travel.
- Pay with rewards – If possible, redeem your cash back or miles to cover all or part of the ticket purchase price.
- Buy during a bonus – Time the purchase to align with special promotions where your card earns extra rewards.
- Use ticket presales – Buying direct from the concert promoter during presales lets you earn card rewards (reseller sites usually don’t).
- Maximize bonuses – Put your concert spending on a new card to help earn the signup bonus faster.
- Use account credits – When available, utilize annual statement credits for entertainment purchases.
- Buy add-ons – Earn additional rewards on fees, upgrades, VIP packages, food & drinks, merchandise, etc.
Using the right Capital One card strategically can help you sit back and enjoy the show, rewards in hand.
FAQs
Does Capital One offer a credit card specifically for entertainment purchases?
Capital One does not have an entertainment-specific credit card. However, the Savor and SavorOne cards offer boosted rewards on dining and entertainment, including tickets for concerts, movies, plays, and more.
What credit score is needed for a Capital One rewards card?
Most Capital One rewards cards require good to excellent credit, generally 670 and above. However, they do offer options for average credit (ex: Platinum) and building/rebuilding credit (ex: Platinum Secured). Pre-qualification can help determine which card you may qualify for.
Can I use Capital One miles to purchase concert tickets?
Yes, Capital One miles earned from cards like Venture, VentureOne, and Spark Miles can be redeemed towards concert tickets. You can use them to book tickets through Capital One Travel or redeem as a statement credit against ticket purchases.
Do all Capital One cards offer purchase protection and extended warranty?
No, purchase protection and extended warranty coverage are primarily offered on Capital One’s premium travel rewards cards, like Venture and Venture X Rewards. Most of their lower tier and cash back cards do not include these protections.
Can I earn extra rewards by buying concert tickets through Capital One Entertainment?
Unfortunately Capital One Entertainment was shut down at the end of 2022. It previously offered access to purchase select tickets and earned additional rewards, but is no longer available as an entertainment benefit with Capital One cards.
The Bottom Line
Finding the best Capital One card ultimately comes down to your individual needs and preferences. But for maximizing rewards on concert ticket purchases, the Savor and SavorOne cards are tough to beat, thanks to their entertainment bonus categories and signup bonuses. Pairing one of these cards with smart shopping strategies can help you save on concerts, so you have more funds available for merch, drinks, and all those precious memories.