Receiving VIP access and other entertainment perks from credit cards isn’t new. However, recent ticket presales for Taylor Swift and Beyoncé have highlighted the importance of having the right credit card. In some cases, it can be the difference between snagging the perfect tickets and spending your afternoon crying in the office bathroom.
And if you’ve been keeping up, you probably noticed that different concerts offer presale perks for different cardholders. That means that your favorite credit card may not be enough to get you into the shows you’re dying to see.
Let’s break down why you should keep at least one card from each of the major issuers in your wallet so that you never miss a chance to get the concert ticket of your dreams.
Why you need cards from all of the major issuers
To make sure you always have VIP and presale ticket access, carry at least one card each from the four major issuers:
Every issuer offers its own set of entertainment benefits and access, so having at least one card from each of them will ensure you never miss out on a specific event or presale.
For example, Taylor Swift presale tickets were (supposedly) available to any Capital One cardholder. Similarly, you needed a Citi card to register for early access to Beyoncé’s tour.
If you can collect at least one card from every issuer, you’ll improve your chances of getting access to tickets for major concerts and festivals.
Related: What’s the difference between a network and an issuer?
Our favorite no-annual-fee cards from each issuer
Of course, many popular cards from these issuers come with annual fees — some of which are nearly $700. However, if you’re looking to save money but still enjoy access to tickets, you can get no-annual-fee cards from each one so you can cover your bases. Then, when the perfect presale presents itself, you’re likely to be covered.
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If you’re starting from scratch, we always recommend prioritizing Chase cards to ensure you’re in good standing for the bank’s 5/24 rule and thus eligible for a new card from them. After that, you can go on to collect cards from the other issuers in any order.
Here are our favorite cards with no annual fee from each issuer:
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Welcome bonus: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back (or 1.5 points per dollar) on all purchases up to $20,000 spent in the first year.
Annual fee: $0.
Why we like it: The Freedom Unlimited earns 5% back on travel booked through the Chase portal, 3% on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
In addition to getting you access to Chase Entertainment, this card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, so you’ll earn more on whatever tickets you’re buying than you would with most cards.
For more details, check out our full review of the Freedom Unlimited.
Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome bonus: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Annual fee: $0
Why we like them: This card pulls double duty: You’ll get VIP access through Capital One Entertainment and earn bonus rewards on your entertainment purchases. You’ll earn 8% cash back on purchases through Capital One Entertainment and 3% bonus cash back on all other entertainment purchases, making this one of the best cards for buying concert and other live entertainment tickets.
It even waives foreign transaction fees on purchases outside the U.S. — a relative rarity for a no-annual-fee credit card.
For more details, check out our full card review of the SavorOne.
Apply here: Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Welcome bonus: Earn $200 cash back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months of card membership.
Annual fee: $0 (see rates and fees).
Why we like it: This card earns an impressive 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, at U.S. supermarkets and at U.S. gas stations (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases for each category, then 1%), making this an excellent go-to card for daily spending in addition to unlocking access to many American Express Experiences.
Cash back is received in the form of reward dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
For more details, check out our full review of the Amex Blue Cash Everyday.
Apply here: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Citi® Double Cash Card
Welcome bonus: None.
Annual fee: $0.
Why we like it: The Double Cash earns 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay), so you’ll earn a solid return on all your spending as well as gain access to all that Citi Entertainment has to offer.
For more details, check out our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
Apply here: Citi® Double Cash Card
Bottom line
Having the right credit card can make you the hero (or envy) of your friend group. Keep at least one card from each of the four major issuers in your wallet and never again miss a concert ticket presale again.
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Cash Everyday, click here.
