How Credit Card Presales Helped Me Score Highly Anticipated Concert and Sporting Event Tickets
As a huge sports and music fan, credit card presales have become one of my favorite perks. I recently used Amex presales to get tickets to two highly anticipated events: Harry Styles at Madison Square Garden on Saturday and the U.S. Open on Friday.
I joined the Amex presale in January for Harry Styles' show, which was happening on September 5th, and got tickets more than seven months before the concert. The tickets cost me $175 each, a significant savings compared to the resale price of over $300 per ticket.
A few months later, I used my Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card for another Amex presale: the U.S. Open. My tickets are for Friday, September 4th, and cost me $199 each. Tickets in my section are now selling for more than $250 on resale sites.
One of the best things about cardmember presales is that you don't need a premium credit card to take advantage of them. I used my moderate-fee Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card, which has an annual fee of $150. Eligibility can vary by presale, but if you're already considering a card and regularly spend money on concerts or sporting events, presale access is a perk worth adding to your list.