The credit cards that can get you into sold-out concerts

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If concert and sports tickets feel shockingly expensive lately, you’re not imagining it. Prices for live events have been climbing steadily across the board, with no end in sight.

With so much money on the line just to get through the door, it makes sense to be strategic about how you pay so you can earn maximum rewards. Having the right credit card can also make it easier to score tickets to events that are quick to sell out.

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I recently scored premium Harry Styles tickets in New York City for October through a presale that was only available to Amex Platinum cardholders.

There are also frequent concert promotions for Mastercard holders (like Noah Kahan’s sold-out "The Great Divide" tour). Capital One sometimes offers these as well, which I used to score tickets to Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour" a few years back.

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Some cards have event-specific benefits that can save you money and get you preferred access.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: The card comes with access to Chase Experiences for exclusive events and up to $300 in annual statement credits for purchases made through StubHub or Viagogo (given out as $150 in statement credits twice per year).
• Citi Strata Elite℠ Card: Cardholders can qualify for special access to buy tickets for thousands of events, including presale tickets to concerts, sporting events, and other experiences. Cardholders also earn a minimum of 1.5 points per dollar on all spending.
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: This travel credit card comes with a generous sign-up bonus and earns transferable rewards. When it comes to concerts and events, cardholders get access to VIP packages and exclusive presales and earn 5x miles on qualifying purchases with Capital One Entertainment.

In addition to checking for card issuer-specific promotions that let you score concert tickets you might not otherwise have access to, it's smart to look for cards that offer bonus rewards for concerts and sporting events.

Some cards that fall into this category include:

• Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card: This no-annual-fee card earns 3% cash back at grocery stores and on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services. Cardholders also earn 5% cash back on eligible travel purchases through Capital One, and 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
• Wells Fargo Attune® Card: The Attune Card also has no annual fee, and it lets users earn unlimited 4% cash back on self-care, certain "impactful purchases," and select sports, recreation, and entertainment. You can read an overview of purchases that count in each bonus category here, but note that the entertainment category includes most sports and live entertainment tickets.

Whether you prioritize bonus rewards on entertainment spending, access to special events, or flexible points that can be redeemed for tickets, choosing a card that fits your lifestyle can make every show or game more rewarding (and accessible).

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