Have you ever dreamed of securing those perfect seats for that sold-out concert, championship game, or a highly anticipated theater performance? If you're an American Express Card Member, that dream can often become a reality thanks to American Express Preferred Seating and Amex Presale Tickets. These benefits offer exclusive access to prime tickets that might otherwise be out of reach. Let's dive deep into how you can leverage these fantastic perks!
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Before you embark on your quest for preferred seating, the absolute first step is to ensure your American Express card qualifies. Not all Amex cards offer these specific entertainment benefits.
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| How Do I Get American Express Preferred Seating |
Check Your Card Type
American Express Preferred Seating and Amex Presale Tickets are generally available to Card Members with eligible U.S.-issued American Express Cards. This often includes:
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Platinum Card® or Centurion® Card from American Express
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Business Platinum Card® or Business Centurion® Card from American Express
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Corporate Platinum Card® or Corporate Centurion® Card from American Express
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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
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American Express® Gold Card (consumer and business versions)
It's crucial to note that American Express Prepaid Cards are typically not eligible.
Verify Your Benefits Online
The best way to confirm your specific card's benefits is to:
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Log in to your American Express online account.
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Navigate to the "Benefits" or "Membership" section.
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Look for information related to "Entertainment," "Experiences," "Tickets," or "Preferred Seating."
This will give you the most up-to-date and accurate information on what your particular card offers.
Step 2: Understand the Different Access Types ️
American Express provides a few different ways to access special tickets, each with its own nuances. Understanding these will help you know what to look for.
Amex Presale Tickets™
This is your golden ticket to purchasing tickets before they go on sale to the general public.
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What it is: Access to tickets during a specified period prior to the general public on-sale dates. This often means you get the first crack at good seats.
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Key advantage: The opportunity to secure tickets before they sell out rapidly during general sales.
Tip: Write down what you learned.
Amex Reserved Tickets™ (often referred to as "Preferred Seating")
This benefit provides access to a dedicated allotment of tickets for eligible Card Members after the general public sale might have begun, or as a continuous offering.
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What it is: Access to a specific block of seats that have been set aside for American Express Card Members. These are often premium seats.
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Key advantage: Even if an event is "sold out" to the general public, there might still be tickets available through Amex Reserved Tickets.
American Express® Preferred Access
While sometimes used interchangeably with "Preferred Seating," this term often refers to the broader benefit for eligible Platinum Card® or Centurion® Card members, offering premium seats at select concerts, shows, games, and events. This might include dedicated entrances or other on-site perks at certain venues.
Step 3: Finding Your Desired Events
Once you know your card is eligible, it's time to find the events!
Utilizing the American Express Experiences Website
The primary hub for finding events is the American Express Experiences website:
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Visit the Website: Go to the official American Express Experiences portal.
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Browse by Category or Search: You can typically browse by:
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Music: Concerts, festivals, etc.
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Sports: Major league games, tournaments.
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Theater & Arts: Broadway shows, plays, ballets.
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Dining & Lifestyle: Special culinary events, exclusive experiences.
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Filter by Card Type: The website usually allows you to filter events based on your specific American Express card, ensuring you only see offers relevant to you.
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Look for the Amex Tag: Events with special access will clearly be marked with "Amex Presale," "Amex Reserved Tickets," or "American Express Preferred Access."
Checking Partner Ticketing Sites
American Express partners with major ticketing platforms. While the Amex Experiences site is central, you might also find opportunities directly on sites like:
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Ticketmaster
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AXS
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Broadway.com
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Live Nation
When an event is offered through Amex, there will usually be a clear indication on the partner site, often with an option to enter a "promo code" or "unlock" Amex tickets.
Step 4: Purchasing Your Tickets - The Critical Step!
This is where the rubber meets the road. Pay close attention to the details, as a small mistake can cost you those coveted seats.
Tip: Remember, the small details add value.
For Online Purchases
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Select the Event and Tickets: Once you've found an event, click on it to proceed to the ticketing page (either on the Amex site or a partner site).
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Look for the "Unlock" or "Promo Code" Field:
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For Amex Reserved Tickets (Preferred Seating): You'll often be prompted to enter the 10-digit Customer Service phone number found on the back of your eligible American Express Card. Enter it without spaces or dashes. This acts as your unique access code.
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For Amex Presale Tickets: Sometimes, a specific alphanumeric presale code will be provided on the Amex Experiences website for you to use on the partner ticketing site. Other times, the 10-digit customer service number also works for presales.
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Enter the Code/Number: Carefully input the required information.
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Select Your Seats: Once unlocked, you'll see the available Amex-specific seating options. Choose your desired seats.
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Proceed to Checkout: Make sure you use your eligible American Express Card as the form of payment. This is non-negotiable. If you use a different card, your purchase may be canceled or the special access may be revoked.
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Review and Confirm: Double-check all details before finalizing your purchase.
For Phone Purchases
While less common now, some events might still offer phone purchases.
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Call the Box Office or Ticketing Agent: Use the phone number provided on the Amex Experiences site or the event's official page.
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Mention American Express Preferred Seating/Presale: Inform the representative that you are an American Express Card Member looking to utilize your preferred seating or presale benefit.
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Provide Card Details: Be prepared to provide your eligible American Express Card number and potentially the customer service number from the back of your card.
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Complete Purchase: Ensure the purchase is made entirely with your eligible Amex Card.
Step 5: Important Considerations and Tips for Success ✨
To maximize your chances of getting the best seats, keep these points in mind.
Act Fast
Preferred seating and presale tickets are subject to availability and supply may be limited. These exclusive allotments can sell out quickly, especially for high-demand events.
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Set reminders: If you know an event is coming, mark your calendar for the exact time the Amex presale or reserved seating goes live.
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Be ready to purchase: Have your Amex card details handy and be logged into your accounts on the ticketing platforms.
Read the Fine Print
Always review the specific terms and conditions for each event.
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Purchase limits: There might be a limit on the number of tickets you can purchase per card or household.
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Blackout dates: Some dates or performances might be excluded.
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No refunds/exchanges: Tickets purchased through these programs are often non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
Understand "Preferred" vs. "Premium"
While Amex Preferred Seating often is in desirable locations, it doesn't always guarantee the absolute best seats in the house. It guarantees access to a dedicated allotment of seats for Amex Card Members, which are typically very good, but not necessarily the front row.
Tip: Train your eye to catch repeated ideas.
Check On-Site Benefits
For some events and venues within the American Express Venue Collection™, your Amex card might offer additional on-site benefits beyond just tickets, such as:
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Dedicated entrances or fast lanes: Skip the general queues!
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10% back on qualifying concessions: A nice perk for food and beverages.
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Exclusive lounges or fan experiences: Enhance your event day.
Always check the specific event details on the Amex Experiences website for these additional perks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to know if my American Express card is eligible for preferred seating?
Check the "Benefits" section of your online American Express account, or refer to the official American Express Experiences website for a list of eligible cards (typically Platinum, Centurion, Gold, and certain Delta SkyMiles cards).
How to find events with American Express Preferred Seating?
Visit the official American Express Experiences website at
How to use my American Express card to get presale tickets?
On the ticketing partner's website, look for a "promo code" or "unlock" field. For Amex Presales, you often use the 10-digit customer service number on the back of your card as the code.
How to differentiate between Amex Presale and Amex Reserved Tickets?
Amex Presale Tickets give you access before the general public sale. Amex Reserved Tickets (often called Preferred Seating) offer access to a dedicated block of seats, sometimes even after general sales begin.
Tip: Slow down when you hit important details.
How to enter the code for American Express Preferred Seating?
When prompted on the ticketing website, enter the 10-digit customer service phone number from the back of your eligible American Express card, without any spaces or dashes.
How to get the best seats with American Express Preferred Seating?
Act quickly! Preferred seating allotments are limited. Be online and ready to purchase as soon as tickets go on sale for Amex Card Members.
How to ensure my purchase goes through with preferred seating?
Always use your eligible American Express Card as the form of payment for the entire transaction. Using a different card may void the special access.
How to find out about additional on-site benefits at events?
Look for details on the American Express Experiences website for specific events. Benefits like dedicated entrances or concession discounts are often highlighted for events at American Express Venue Collection locations.
How to use American Express Preferred Seating for international events?
The American Express Experiences website (or the international Amex website for your region) will list eligible international events. The process is generally similar, requiring an eligible Amex card issued in your country.
How to contact American Express if I have trouble with preferred seating?
Contact the customer service number on the back of your American Express card. They can provide assistance regarding your card's benefits and specific event access.
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