Getting early access to tickets through Ticketmaster is a great perk offered to American Express cardmembers. By linking your American Express card to your Ticketmaster account, you can get exclusive presale access to events before the general public.
What is the Ticketmaster Amex Early Access Program?
The Ticketmaster American Express Early Access Program allows Amex cardholders the opportunity to purchase tickets to concerts, sports events, and more before the general public. This gives you a head start on getting some of the best seats in the house before others even have access.
Some of the benefits of the early access program include:
- Access to exclusive presales for top events
- Chance to get better seat selections before the general onsale
- Opportunity to buy tickets in high demand before others
So if you want first pick of seats to highly anticipated shows and games, linking your Amex card to Ticketmaster is the way to go.
How does the Amex early access work?
Here is how the Ticketmaster Amex early access process works:
- Link your eligible American Express card to your Ticketmaster.com account.
- When there is an Amex presale for an event you want to attend, you will receive an email with the presale code and timing.
- During the specified presale window, use the code provided in the email to access and purchase tickets.
- Enjoy the event knowing you scored a great seat before anyone else had access!
As long as your American Express card is linked to your Ticketmaster account, you can take advantage of any Amex presales that come up.
What American Express cards are eligible?
To get Ticketmaster early access, you need to have an eligible American Express credit or charge card. Here are the cards that can be linked for presale access:
| Personal Amex Cards | Small Business Amex Cards |
|---|---|
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | The Business Platinum Card® from American Express |
| American Express® Gold Card | American Express® Business Gold Card |
| American Express® Green Card | Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express |
| American Express® Plum Card® |
As you can see, most of the popular Amex personal and small business cards are eligible. However, there are some exceptions, so be sure to check if your specific card qualifies.
How do I link my Amex card to Ticketmaster?
Linking your American Express card to Ticketmaster is simple and only takes a few minutes.
Follow these steps:
- Go to Ticketmaster.com and ensure you are signed into your account
- Click on your name in the top right and go to “Settings”
- Click “Pay with American Express Cards”
- Enter your eligible Amex card number and details
- Agree to the Terms & Conditions
- You’re all set! This card will now be linked for presales
Once your card is linked, you may see an immediate presale window open if there is one taking place. Going forward, you will receive exclusive presale emails when your linked card grants you early ticket access.
Helpful Linking Tips
- You can link multiple eligible Amex cards to the same Ticketmaster account.
- Linking cards takes just a minute – do it well in advance of any presales.
- If you have an existing Ticketmaster account, link your card to that account.
- You must have an eligible card in your name to link – corporate cards are not valid.
What kinds of events have Amex presales?
American Express presales give cardmembers exclusive early access to huge concerts, theater performances, sporting events, and more. Here are just some of the events you can get presale tickets for:
Concerts
- Pop, rock, country, R&B, and other huge concert tours
- Residency shows in Las Vegas and other cities
- Festivals like Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza
Sports
- NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and MLS games
- Golf tournaments like The Masters
- Tennis opens like Wimbledon and US Open
- WWE and UFC events
Arts & Theater
- Broadway and off-Broadway shows
- Cirque du Soleil productions
- Plays, musicals, operas, and ballets
And so much more! Virtually any event using Ticketmaster for ticketing is likely to offer an Amex presale at some point.
How do I find and access Amex presales?
Here are some tips for finding and getting access to American Express presale tickets:
Check Presales Calendar
Ticketmaster has an Amex Presales Calendar that shows you all upcoming presales. You can check here regularly to see presales coming up.
Watch for Presale Emails
Once your Amex card is linked, you will get emails any time there is a presale for an event you might be interested in based on your Ticketmaster activity. The email will have the presale code needed to access tickets.
Follow Amex & Ticketmaster on Social Media
Following @AmericanExpress and @Ticketmaster on Twitter or Instagram is a great way to find out about presales. They often announce presales on their social channels in advance.
Search for Individual Events
When you search for an event on Ticketmaster, it will mention if there is an Amex presale and when it starts. So checking events individually is always a smart idea.
Use the Presale Code
Once you find a presale, use the code provided in the presale email or announcement to access tickets before the general public. Act fast, as these sell out quickly!
Tips for Buying Tickets in the Amex Presale
Here are some top tips to make the most of the Amex presale when purchasing tickets:
- Log in 5-10 minutes early – Be ready and waiting for the presale start time.
- Have payment card handy – Save payment details ahead of time for a fast checkout.
- Act quickly – Have an idea of what seats you want and don’t hesitate.
- Consider multiple dates – If you’re flexible on show dates, you have more options.
- Use Ticketmaster app – The app can sometimes be faster than desktop.
- Join Ticketmaster Verified Fan – This sometimes offers additional presale options.
Move fast, stick to your budget, and have fun shopping the Amex presale!
Can I buy tickets for friends too?
Yes, you can purchase tickets for friends and family during the Amex presale, you do not need to buy only for yourself. However, there are some rules to keep in mind:
- There are often ticket limits in place per presale buyer.
- You will need the full name of anyone you buy for to print on the ticket.
- If buying online, your friends do not need an Amex or to be present.
- For box office pickup, your friends will need authorized pickup info you provide.
So feel free to grab those extra seats for the whole crew! Just be sure to follow the ticket rules and limits.
Are there presale ticket limits?
In most cases, yes there are presale ticket limits in place per Amex cardholder. This is to help prevent scalping and allow more fans access.
Some common Amex presale ticket limits include:
- 4-8 tickets per event
- Only able to buy tickets for yourself and friends/family
- Restrictions on Platinum cardholders buying extra
The exact limits can vary between events, so check the presale details. Buy only what you need so more Amex cardmembers can get tickets.
Can I buy VIP or premium tickets in the presale?
In most cases, yes! The Amex presale usually includes access to buy VIP, Platinum, floor seats, premium suites, and more. You just need to act fast to claim them.
Some tips for scoring the best seats:
- Check the seat map ahead of time and be strategic.
- Opt for best available to get seats automatically.
- Filter for your desired ticket type (VIP, floor, etc).
- Move quickly through checkout before others get them.
While not guaranteed, you generally have a good shot at awesome seats before the masses get access.
Can I use a presale code more than once?
Typically no, presale codes are only valid for one-time use per Amex account. This prevents the rampant copying and sharing of codes.
If you need tickets to more than one event:
- Get a unique code for each event.
- Use your allotted limit per event.
- You cannot reuse a code across multiple events.
Plan accordingly if you want to buy tickets to multiple shows in the presale. Follow all rules in place.
What if I miss the Amex presale?
If you miss the Amex presale time window, don’t panic! There are still options to try and score tickets:
- Amex presales sometimes release more tickets later.
- Set up alerts in case more presale tickets are released.
- Check the general onsale time for any tickets.
- Join the Ticketmaster Verified Fan waitlist if available.
- Check reseller sites closer to the event date.
While not ideal, tickets still do turn up over time. Persistence and flexibility are key!
Can I resell tickets from the Amex presale?
Reselling Amex presale tickets is strictly prohibited. These exclusive presales are to thank American Express cardholders, not give people a chance to scalp high demand tickets.
If you resell presale tickets, here are some potential consequences:
- Your Ticketmaster account may be cancelled and banned.
- Your Amex presale privileges may be revoked.
- Your tickets could be cancelled and invalidated.
- You could face legal action for violating terms.
It is not worth the risk! Only buy presale tickets you genuinely intend to use.
Conclusion
The American Express presale ticket program offers cardmembers exclusive access to high-demand events before the general public. By linking your eligible Amex card and using the presale codes provided, you can score amazing seats to concerts, sports, theater, and more.
Remember these key tips to master the Amex presale process:
- Link your eligible Amex card to Ticketmaster in advance.
- Watch for presale announcements via email or social media.
- Use your unique code quickly when the presale window opens.
- Act fast to claim the best tickets before they sell out!
So don’t miss out on the perk of early ticket access with your American Express. The Amex presale provides an excellent opportunity to get the tickets you want before anyone else.
