Ever wanted to snag those elusive concert or event tickets before the general public? If you're an American Express cardholder, you're in luck! Amex offers various presale programs that can give you a significant advantage. While it's not a guaranteed golden ticket to every event, understanding how it works, especially with insights from communities like Reddit, can dramatically improve your chances.
Let's dive into a step-by-step guide on how to navigate the world of American Express presale tickets, with some Reddit-inspired wisdom thrown in.
Step 1: Are You Ready? Confirm Your Amex Eligibility & Get Prepared
First things first, let's confirm you're in a good position to snag those tickets! Have you ever missed out on tickets because you weren't ready? We've all been there!
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| How Do I Get American Express Presale Tickets Reddit |
Sub-heading: Check Your Card & Benefits
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Any Amex Card Works (Mostly): For most Amex Presale events (often called "Amex Early Access" or "Front Of The Line" in Canada), any American Express card is eligible. This includes your everyday Blue Cash Everyday card, a Platinum card, or even a basic Green card.
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Platinum/Centurion Perks: If you have a Platinum Card® or Centurion® Card, you might have access to additional benefits like "Amex Preferred Access" or "Premium Events Collection," which can sometimes offer a different, potentially better, selection of seats or exclusive experiences. These are typically for higher-tier events and come with a higher annual fee.
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Prepaid Cards are Out: American Express Prepaid Cards typically cannot be used for presales.
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Instant Card Number: If you're new to Amex, many cards offer an instant card number upon approval, allowing you to make purchases even before your physical card arrives. This can be a game-changer if a presale is announced last-minute.
Sub-heading: Gear Up for the Sale
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Account Setup: Make sure your American Express card is already saved as a primary payment method on the ticketing platform (e.g., Ticketmaster, AXS, Live Nation). This saves crucial seconds during checkout.
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Create a Ticketing Account: If you don't have one, create an account on the relevant ticketing platform before the presale. Ensure all your information, including billing address, is up-to-date.
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Know the Event Details: Identify the exact date, time, and specific presale start time for the event you want. These details are usually announced by the artist, venue, or ticketing platform.
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Reliable Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is absolutely critical. Consider using a wired connection if possible, rather than Wi-Fi, for maximum stability.
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Multiple Devices (Strategically): While some Redditors suggest this, be cautious. Using multiple devices can sometimes flag your account as suspicious on certain ticketing sites. If you do, use different browsers or IP addresses (e.g., one on your home Wi-Fi, one on mobile data).
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No Bots! Seriously, don't use bots. Ticketing platforms have sophisticated systems to detect and block them, and it could lead to your tickets being canceled or your account banned.
Step 2: Finding the Presale Code (or Lack Thereof) ️♀️
This is where the "Reddit" part of the equation comes in handy. The biggest confusion often revolves around the presale code itself.
Tip: Read slowly to catch the finer details.
Sub-heading: The Common "Code" – Your Phone Number!
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The 10-Digit Customer Service Number: For many Amex presales on platforms like Ticketmaster, the "code" isn't a secret word, but rather the 10-digit customer service phone number on the back of your American Express card. Enter it without spaces or dashes, and without the leading '1'. This is a highly circulated tip on Reddit and generally proves to be accurate.
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No Code at All: Sometimes, especially if your Amex card is already linked to your ticketing account, no code is required at all. The system simply recognizes you as an Amex cardholder when you select the "Amex Presale" option.
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"INGOLD" or Other Specific Codes: Rarely, a specific keyword like "INGOLD" (as seen in some Reddit threads) or another unique code might be needed. This is less common for general Amex presales and more often for artist-specific or partner-specific Amex promotions. Always check the official American Express Experiences website or the event's official announcement for any specific codes.
Sub-heading: Where to Find Presale Information (Beyond Reddit)
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American Express Experiences Website: This is your primary official source. Visit
americanexpress.com/experiences -
Ticketing Platform Event Pages: The event page on Ticketmaster, AXS, or Live Nation will often list the various presales, including Amex Presales, and indicate when they begin.
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Artist/Venue Websites & Social Media: Always check the official artist or venue website and their social media channels. They often announce presales and codes.
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Reddit Communities (with Caution): Subreddits like r/amex, r/AmexPlatinum, or specific artist/band subreddits are excellent for real-time information, shared experiences, and troubleshooting. People often confirm codes, discuss strategies, and commiserate when things go wrong. However, always cross-reference information found on Reddit with official sources before the presale, as information can be outdated or incorrect.
Step 3: The Day of the Presale – Execute Your Plan!
The clock is ticking! This is the most crucial part.
Sub-heading: Logging In & Waiting Room
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Log In Early: Log into your ticketing account at least 30-60 minutes before the presale officially begins.
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Waiting Room: Ticketing platforms often have a "waiting room" that opens prior to the sale. You'll be automatically placed into a queue from this waiting room when the sale starts. Do not refresh this page once you're in the waiting room. Refreshing can send you to the back of the queue.
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Patience is Key: The queue can be long. Don't panic if you see thousands of people ahead of you. Tickets are often released in waves, and good seats can still be available even with a higher queue number.
Sub-heading: Selecting Tickets & Checkout
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Choose the Amex Option: Once you're through the queue, look for the "American Express Presale," "Amex Early Access," or "Front Of The Line" filter or option. Select it to see the tickets available to Amex cardholders.
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Enter the Code (If Prompted): If prompted for a code, enter the 10-digit customer service number from the back of your Amex card (no spaces/dashes, no leading '1'). If that doesn't work, some Redditors suggest trying the first two digits of your card number or even leaving it blank and proceeding to payment (as long as you pay with Amex). However, the customer service number is the most widely successful method.
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Act Quickly: Once you see available seats, don't hesitate. Tickets are often held for a very short time (e.g., 2-5 minutes) once you select them. Have your desired quantity and general seating area in mind before you enter the seating map.
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Payment is Critical: You MUST pay with an eligible American Express card. The transaction will not go through if you try to use another payment method.
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Review and Confirm: Double-check all details (event, date, time, number of tickets, seat locations, total price) before confirming your purchase.
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Don't Refresh After Purchase: Once your purchase is confirmed, do not refresh the page. Wait for the confirmation email to arrive.
Step 4: Troubleshooting & Post-Presale Strategy
Tip: Summarize the post in one sentence.
Sometimes, things don't go as planned. It's frustrating, but there are still options.
Sub-heading: Common Issues & Reddit Advice
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"No Tickets Available": This is a common and disheartening message. It could mean tickets sold out incredibly fast, or that the system is overwhelmed. Keep trying to refresh (within reason, not during the queue!) or try different ticket quantities/sections. Redditors often advise persistence.
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Code Not Working: Double-check you're entering the correct customer service number without spaces or dashes. If it still fails, try clearing your browser cache and cookies, or using a different browser.
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Dynamic Pricing: Be aware that Ticketmaster and other platforms use "dynamic pricing," meaning prices can fluctuate based on demand. Tickets bought earlier in the presale might be cheaper.
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Resale Market: If you miss out on presale, the secondary market (StubHub, SeatGeek, etc.) will likely have tickets, but often at a much higher price due to resellers. This is a common complaint on Reddit threads about presales.
Sub-heading: What to Do If You Miss Out
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General Sale: Remember that presales only account for a portion of the total tickets. A significant number of tickets are reserved for the general public sale. Set reminders and be ready for that.
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Artist/Venue Presales: Many artists and venues have their own fan club or mailing list presales. Sign up for these! Sometimes they overlap with Amex presales or offer different inventory.
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"Ticket Drops": Sometimes, more tickets are released closer to the event date, or in smaller batches. Keep an eye on the ticketing site.
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Networking on Reddit: If you're really desperate, you might find people on Reddit selling at face value or trading tickets, but be extremely cautious of scams. Always use secure payment methods and verify sellers.
Related FAQ Questions
How to Find Out About American Express Presales?
The best way is to regularly check the official American Express Experiences website (
How to Use My American Express Card for Presale Tickets?
Tip: Rest your eyes, then continue.
During the presale, select the American Express presale option on the ticketing platform (e.g., Ticketmaster, AXS). If a code is requested, usually enter the 10-digit customer service number found on the back of your Amex card without spaces or dashes. You must then complete the purchase using your American Express card.
How to Get the Amex Presale Code?
For most American Express presales, the code is the 10-digit customer service phone number on the back of your card. In rare cases, a specific keyword may be provided on the official Amex Experiences website or by the event promoter.
How to Increase My Chances of Getting Tickets During an Amex Presale?
Prepare by saving your Amex card details to your ticketing account, log in early to the waiting room, have a stable internet connection, and act quickly when tickets become available.
How to Know if My Amex Card is Eligible for a Presale?
Generally, any valid American Express credit or charge card is eligible for "Amex Presale Tickets" (or "Early Access"). Premium cards like Platinum or Centurion may offer additional benefits like "Preferred Access" for certain events. Prepaid Amex cards are typically not eligible.
How to Deal with Ticketmaster Queue during Amex Presale?
QuickTip: Focus on one paragraph at a time.
Enter the waiting room well before the official presale start time. Once in the queue, do not refresh your page as this can send you to the back of the line. Be patient, as the queue moves and tickets are often released in batches.
How to Avoid Scams When Buying Presale Tickets?
Only purchase tickets through official ticketing platforms (Ticketmaster, AXS, etc.) or the official American Express Experiences website. Be wary of third-party sites or individuals offering "guaranteed" tickets outside of these official channels, especially on Reddit.
How to Use Amex Points for Presale Tickets?
Some ticketing platforms (like Ticketmaster) allow you to use your Membership Rewards points to pay for tickets at checkout, usually alongside or instead of charging your Amex card. Look for the option to use points during the payment process.
How to Get Better Seats with American Express Presale?
While not guaranteed, Amex presales often have dedicated allocations of tickets, which can include good seats. Having a higher-tier card like Platinum might provide access to "Preferred Access" seats, which are sometimes better situated. Being among the first in the queue also helps.
How to Find Out About Amex Front Of The Line Presales in Canada?
For Canadian cardholders, the "Front Of The Line" program works similarly to U.S. presales. Visit the American Express Canada website's "Experiences" section and sign up for their "Front Of The Line Entertainment e-Updates" to receive notifications about upcoming events and presales.
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