Are you ready to unlock a world of exclusive access to concerts, sporting events, and theatrical performances before anyone else? Getting American Express presale codes for Ticketmaster can feel like gaining a backstage pass to your favorite events. It's a fantastic perk for Amex cardholders, offering a significant advantage in the often-fierce battle for hot tickets. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step to ensure you're ready when those coveted presales drop!
Let's dive in and make sure you never miss out on seeing your favorite artists or teams live again!
Your Ultimate Guide to American Express Presale Codes for Ticketmaster
American Express (Amex) offers its card members various benefits, and one of the most exciting for entertainment enthusiasts is their "Experiences" program, which includes presale and reserved ticket access for events on platforms like Ticketmaster. This means you can often buy tickets before they go on sale to the general public, significantly increasing your chances of securing the seats you want.
Step 1: Confirm Your American Express Card Eligibility
Before you do anything else, you need to ensure your American Express card is eligible for presale access. Not all Amex cards offer the same level of benefits, though most directly-issued Amex cards do provide some form of presale access.
Check Your Card Type: Generally, American Express consumer and business credit cards issued directly by Amex (not co-branded cards issued by other banks) are eligible. This includes popular cards like the American Express Platinum Card, Gold Card, Green Card, Blue Cash Preferred, etc.
Understand Different Access Levels: Amex offers two primary types of early access:
Amex Presale Tickets™: This gives eligible Card Members access to purchase tickets before the general public on-sale date. Most Amex cards provide this level of access.
Amex Reserved Tickets™: This provides access to dedicated ticket allotments for select events. For some premium events or better seating sections, you might find that only certain premium cards (like Platinum or Centurion, and some mid-tier cards like the Hilton Surpass or Everyday Preferred) offer access to "Preferred Seating" blocks.
Prepaid Cards are Generally NOT Eligible: Keep in mind that American Express Prepaid Cards typically cannot be used for these presales.
Verify Your Benefits: The best way to confirm your specific card's benefits is to visit the American Express website and navigate to their "Events with Amex™" or "Experiences" section. You can also log into your online Amex account and check your card benefits there.
Step 2: Create or Update Your Ticketmaster Account
Having a robust and ready Ticketmaster account is crucial. This is where you'll actually make the purchase.
Existing User? Log in to your Ticketmaster account. Ensure all your information (especially your payment method) is up-to-date.
New to Ticketmaster? Sign up for a free account. Make sure to fill in all required details accurately.
Link Your Amex (Optional, but Recommended for Seamless Access): American Express has partnered with Ticketmaster to make access even smoother. You can often link your eligible Amex card to your Ticketmaster account. This means that for eligible "Preferred Seating" or "Reserved Tickets," the access might be automatically unlocked when you're logged into your Ticketmaster account, eliminating the need to enter a specific code.
To do this, look for a section within your Ticketmaster account settings related to "Payment Methods" or "American Express Preferred Seating." Follow the prompts to connect your Amex card.
Step 3: Identify Upcoming American Express Presales
Knowing when and where Amex presales are happening is key to success.
Monitor American Express Experiences Website: Regularly check the dedicated "Events with Amex™" or "Experiences" section on the official American Express website (
americanexpress.com/experiences americanexpress.com/entertainment Ticketmaster Event Pages: When an event is announced on Ticketmaster, always check the event page details. If there's an American Express presale, it will usually be listed under the "Ticket Type" or "Offers" section, along with the presale start and end times.
Follow Artists/Teams/Venues:
On Ticketmaster: "Favorite" your beloved artists, sports teams, and venues within your Ticketmaster account or app. This can trigger email notifications about upcoming presales, including Amex-specific ones.
Social Media & Newsletters: Follow your favorite artists, venues, and sports teams on social media (X, Instagram, Facebook, etc.). They often announce presale information, including codes, directly to their fans. Sign up for their official newsletters as well.
Set Up Alerts: Consider using third-party alert services or even Google Alerts for specific artists or events, combined with "American Express presale" keywords.
Step 4: Understand and Obtain the Presale Code
This is where the "code" comes into play, although often, for American Express presales, it's not a traditional alphanumeric code.
The "Code" is Usually Your Customer Service Number: For most American Express presales on Ticketmaster, the "presale code" you'll be prompted to enter is the toll-free customer service phone number located on the back of your American Express card.
Crucially, enter it without any dashes or spaces. For example, if your number is 1-800-123-4567, you'd enter 18001234567.
No Code Needed for Linked Accounts/Preferred Seating: As mentioned in Step 2, if you've linked your Amex card to your Ticketmaster account for "Preferred Seating" eligibility, the option might automatically unlock when you're logged in, and you won't need to manually enter the customer service number. However, always be prepared to enter the number just in case.
Event-Specific Codes (Rare but Possible): While less common for direct Amex presales, occasionally an event promoter or artist might have a unique Amex-affiliated presale that uses a specific, short alphanumeric code. If this is the case, it will be clearly communicated on the Ticketmaster event page or by American Express themselves. Always double-check the specific instructions for each event.
Step 5: The Day of the Presale: Execution is Key!
Presales can be fast-paced, so being prepared and quick is essential.
Log In Early: Log into your Ticketmaster account at least 10-15 minutes before the presale start time.
Navigate to the Event Page: Go directly to the specific event page on Ticketmaster.
Join the Queue (if applicable): For highly anticipated events, Ticketmaster often implements a virtual waiting room or queue. Join it as soon as it opens.
Select "American Express Card Member Presale": Once it's your turn (or the presale begins), look for the "Ticket Type" filter or a dropdown menu. Select the option that says "American Express Card Member Presale" or something similar.
Enter the Presale Code (Your Phone Number!): If prompted for a code, carefully enter the toll-free customer service number from the back of your Amex card, without any dashes or spaces.
Choose Your Seats and Quantity: Quickly select your desired number of tickets and seating section. Be decisive, as tickets can disappear rapidly.
Proceed to Checkout: Move swiftly through the checkout process.
Pay with Your Eligible American Express Card: This is non-negotiable. You must pay for the tickets using the American Express card that granted you presale access. If you try to use a different card, your purchase will likely be rejected.
Confirm Your Purchase: Review all details before finalizing. Once confirmed, you should receive a confirmation email.
Step 6: Troubleshooting and Important Considerations
Even with the best preparation, issues can arise.
"Code Not Working":
Double-check the number: Did you enter the full 11 digits (if in the US, starting with '1') without any spaces or dashes?
Is it truly an Amex presale?: Ensure the presale you're trying to access is specifically an "American Express Card Member Presale." Other presales (artist, venue, fan club, Spotify, etc.) will use different codes.
Card Eligibility: Reconfirm your Amex card's eligibility.
Contact Amex or Ticketmaster: If you're certain you're doing everything correctly and it's still not working, contact American Express customer service or Ticketmaster support.
Tickets Sold Out During Presale: Unfortunately, even with presale access, tickets are still limited and high-demand events can sell out quickly. Presale access increases your chances, but doesn't guarantee a ticket.
Refunds and Exchanges: Amex presale tickets are subject to the same refund and exchange policies as general sale tickets, which are typically very limited or non-existent once purchased. Always read Ticketmaster's terms and conditions before buying.
Resale Restrictions: Some Amex presale tickets might have stricter resale restrictions. Be aware of these if you intend to transfer or sell tickets later.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to check if my American Express card is eligible for Ticketmaster presales?
You can check your card's eligibility by logging into your American Express online account and navigating to the "Benefits" or "Experiences" section, or by visiting
How to link my American Express card to my Ticketmaster account for presales?
Log into your Ticketmaster account, go to your "Account Settings" or "Payment Methods," and look for an option to connect your American Express card. This often enables automatic unlocking of "Preferred Seating" offers.
How to find out about upcoming American Express presales on Ticketmaster?
Check the "Events with Amex™" section on the American Express website, look for presale information on the specific event page on Ticketmaster, and follow your favorite artists/venues on social media and sign up for their newsletters.
How to enter the American Express presale code on Ticketmaster?
When prompted for a presale code on Ticketmaster, enter the toll-free customer service phone number from the back of your American Express card, without any dashes or spaces.
How to know if a specific event has an American Express presale?
Visit the event's page on Ticketmaster. If an American Express presale is available, it will be listed under the "Ticket Type" or "Offers" section, along with the presale dates and times.
How to ensure a successful purchase during an American Express presale?
Log in to Ticketmaster early, be ready with your Amex card details, and act quickly as tickets can sell out fast even during presales. Ensure your payment information is current.
How to use my American Express Membership Rewards points for Ticketmaster tickets?
If eligible, during checkout on Ticketmaster, when using your American Express card, you may see an option to apply Membership Rewards points towards your purchase. This typically requires a minimum point redemption.
How to get "Preferred Seating" with my American Express card on Ticketmaster?
"Preferred Seating" is often a benefit for premium Amex cards (Platinum, Gold, etc.) and is usually unlocked automatically if your eligible card is linked to your Ticketmaster account. Alternatively, the standard Amex presale code (your customer service number) might also grant access.
How to contact American Express or Ticketmaster if my presale code isn't working?
For issues with the code or card eligibility, contact American Express customer service (the number on the back of your card). For issues with the Ticketmaster website or your account, contact Ticketmaster support.
How to tell the difference between Amex Presale Tickets™ and Amex Reserved Tickets™?
Amex Presale Tickets™ give you early access to purchase tickets before the general public. Amex Reserved Tickets™ offer access to specific, dedicated blocks of tickets, often in desirable locations, and may be exclusive to certain premium Amex cards.
