Are you ready to unlock exclusive early access to some of the hottest tickets in town? If you're an American Express cardmember, you've got a secret weapon in the often-frantic world of ticket buying: the Amex presale! This isn't just about getting a head start; it's about a smoother, less stressful path to seeing your favorite artists, teams, or shows. Let's dive deep into how this powerful perk works.
Understanding the Amex Presale Advantage
Before we get into the "how-to," let's understand why the American Express presale is such a game-changer. Imagine this: thousands, sometimes millions, of people all vying for tickets at the exact same moment during a general sale. It's a digital stampede! American Express, through partnerships with Ticketmaster and various promoters, offers its cardmembers a dedicated window to purchase tickets before they're released to the general public. This means:
Earlier Access: You get to browse and buy tickets before the masses. This significantly increases your chances of securing tickets, especially for high-demand events.
Potentially Better Seats: While not always guaranteed, presales often have an allocation of desirable seats. Getting in early means you have a better selection.
Reduced Stress: The general sale can be a chaotic experience. Presales, while still competitive, tend to be less frenzied.
It's important to note that "Amex Presale Tickets" give you access prior to the general sale, while "Amex Reserved Tickets" refer to a block of seats reserved exclusively for Amex cardmembers during the public on-sale period. Both require an eligible Amex card for purchase.
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility and Preparation
First things first, let's make sure you're ready to roll!
Sub-heading: Do You Have an Eligible American Express Card?
The American Express presale is a benefit for eligible American Express Card Members. Most consumer and business American Express credit cards issued by American Express in the U.S. are generally eligible. This includes popular cards like:
The American Express® Platinum Card
The American Express® Gold Card
The American Express® Green Card
Various co-branded cards (e.g., Delta SkyMiles® American Express Cards)
Important Note: American Express Prepaid Cards typically cannot be used for these presales. While most American Express cards will work, it's always a good idea to check the specific terms and conditions for a particular event's presale or consult the Amex Experiences website for details on eligible cards.
Sub-heading: Create or Update Your Ticketmaster Account
If you don't already have one, create a Ticketmaster account well in advance. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date, especially your email address, as Ticketmaster often sends presale notifications. It's also a good idea to add your American Express card as a payment method to your Ticketmaster account beforehand to save crucial time during the actual sale.
Step 2: Finding Amex Presale Opportunities ️♀️
Knowing where to look is key to catching these exclusive windows.
Sub-heading: American Express Experiences Website
The official American Express website dedicated to experiences is your primary hub. Visit
Sub-heading: Ticketmaster Event Pages
When you're searching for an event on Ticketmaster, keep an eye out for the "American Express Card Member Presale" or similar wording. On the event details page, you'll see the various sale types listed, along with their dates and times.
Sub-heading: Email Notifications and Social Media
Sign up for Ticketmaster's email alerts for your favorite artists and genres. They'll often notify you about presales.
Follow American Express and Ticketmaster on social media. Sometimes, they'll announce presales there.
Check artist and venue websites/social media. Artists and venues often promote presales, sometimes even providing direct links or hinting at presale codes.
Step 3: The Presale Code (or Lack Thereof!)
This is where it can get a little tricky, but don't worry, we'll demystify it.
Sub-heading: When a Code IS Required
For many American Express presales on Ticketmaster, you will need a presale code. The most common code to use is the Customer Service number (CSN) on the back of your American Express card. This is typically a 10-digit number.
Remember: The code usually needs to be entered on the Ticketmaster event page when prompted, often before you can even select seats.
Sub-heading: When No Code Is Needed (Automatic Recognition)
Increasingly, Ticketmaster has streamlined the process. For some Amex presales, you might not need a specific code. Instead, Ticketmaster will automatically recognize your eligibility when you use an eligible American Express card as your payment method during checkout. In these cases, you might simply see "American Express Presale" as an option to select tickets, and the system will verify your card at the point of purchase.
Always check the specific event details on Ticketmaster or the American Express Experiences website. It will clearly state if a code is required or if it's an automatic access presale.
Step 4: The Purchase Process
Once the presale goes live, it's go time!
Sub-heading: Be Prepared and On Time
Log in to your Ticketmaster account well before the presale starts.
Have your American Express card handy, even if it's saved in your account, just in case.
Know your preferred seating section and budget.
Be on the event page right when the presale begins. Ticketmaster often uses a waiting room system for high-demand events.
Sub-heading: Selecting Tickets and Entering the Code (if applicable)
Navigate to the event page on Ticketmaster.
If a presale is active, you'll see the option for the "American Express Card Member Presale."
Click on it. If a code is required, a pop-up or a field will appear asking for it. Enter the 10-digit Customer Service number from the back of your Amex card.
Once validated, you'll be able to select your desired seats and ticket quantity.
Sub-heading: Completing the Purchase
Proceed to checkout.
Ensure your American Express card is selected as the payment method. This is crucial! The purchase must be made with an eligible American Express card. If you try to use a different card, the transaction will likely be declined, and you might lose your tickets.
Review your order carefully before finalizing.
Confirm your purchase. You'll receive an email confirmation from Ticketmaster shortly after.
Step 5: After the Purchase
Congratulations, you've secured your tickets!
Sub-heading: Ticket Delivery and Event Day
Your tickets will be delivered according to the method you selected (e.g., mobile tickets, print-at-home, mail). On the day of the event, remember to have your tickets ready.
Sub-heading: American Express Venue Benefits (Bonus!)
For some events at specific venues, American Express offers additional perks, such as:
Dedicated Card Member Entrances or Fast Lanes: Look for signs at the venue indicating these exclusive entry points. Presenting your Amex card can sometimes get you in quicker.
On-site Offers: At select venues, you might find special Amex offers for concessions or merchandise. Check the Amex app or venue information for details.
FAQs: How to Master the Amex Presale
Here are 10 common questions about how to make the most of your American Express presale access, with quick answers!
How to Find Upcoming Amex Presales?
Check the official American Express Experiences website (
How to Get the American Express Presale Code?
Often, the presale code is the 10-digit Customer Service number found on the back of your eligible American Express credit card. For some events, no code is needed, and eligibility is verified by paying with an Amex card.
How to Know if My Amex Card is Eligible?
Most U.S.-issued American Express consumer and business credit cards are eligible. Prepaid cards generally are not. Check the Amex Experiences website or specific event terms for any exclusions.
How to Increase My Chances of Getting Tickets in an Amex Presale?
Be logged into your Ticketmaster account before the presale starts, have your Amex card saved as a payment method, and be on the event page precisely when the sale begins.
How to Use Multiple Amex Cards for Presales?
Generally, each presale has a ticket limit per card or per account. You typically can't use multiple Amex cards to bypass these limits for the same presale.
How to Deal with a Failed Transaction During Presale?
Double-check that you're using an eligible American Express card and that funds are available. If issues persist, quickly try re-entering your card information or contacting Amex customer service.
How to Find Amex Reserved Tickets vs. Amex Presale Tickets?
"Amex Presale Tickets" offer access before the general public sale. "Amex Reserved Tickets" are a dedicated block of seats available during the general public sale, exclusively for Amex cardmembers. Both require an eligible Amex card for purchase.
How to Get Notified About Amex Presales?
Sign up for email alerts from Ticketmaster for your favorite artists, and regularly check the American Express Experiences website.
How to Know if a Code is Required for a Specific Amex Presale?
The event details on Ticketmaster or the American Express Experiences website will specify if a code is required or if it's an "automatic access" presale where your Amex card verifies eligibility at checkout.
How to Use Amex Membership Rewards Points for Presale Tickets?
On Ticketmaster, during checkout, if your American Express card is linked, you might see an option to use Membership Rewards points. You'll typically need to enter your 4-digit security code to verify your points balance and apply them.
