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We talk a lot about the benefits of holding the right credit card here at AwardWallet — beyond just earning points. Most of the time, it’s the travel perks we highlight, such as free checked bags, lounge access, early boarding, and more. But sometimes, your credit card can unlock exclusive access to restaurants, concerts, and high-profile events.
Here’s our guide to the exclusive experiences and events perks available to you as a cardholder across multiple banks.
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American Express
American Express was one of the first card issuers to position itself in the luxury space, and it continues to invest in technologies and perks that provide card members with exclusive access to a wide range of experiences.
Amex Reserved Tickets
Amex Reserved Tickets offers access to popular and hard-to-get events. Some packages even include premium perks — like VIP suite access at the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix. While most listings currently focus on Broadway shows, you’ll also find options like regular-season Chicago Bulls tickets.
Beyond Reserved Tickets, Amex frequently offers pre-sales for concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment throughout the year.
Amex Experiences
If you’re headed to a major event like Coachella or Austin City Limits, you might find special Amex-only perks. At Austin City Limits, for example, all Amex card members get access to a complimentary customizable merchandise experience. Premium cardholders can access the exclusive “Amex Saloon,” which features a private bar and lounge.
At the U.S. Open Tennis Championship, I personally enjoyed this perk. Thanks to The Platinum Card® from American Express, I had access to the Centurion Lounge, scored some free giveaways, and used an Amex Offer to save money during the tournament.
Premium Events Collection
Previously known as By Invitation Only, the Premium Events Collection is open to those with the Amex Platinum, Centurion® Card from American Express — and other flavors of these cards. These events aren't free, but they do offer VIP access and bragging rights.
One such event in 2025 is the U.S. Open Championship for golf. Tickets provided in the Premium Events Collection include:
- Premium hospitality at the private American Express chalet with views of the 17th fairway and green on Saturday and Sunday
- Access to the Championship grounds on Saturday and Sunday
- Reception and talent photo opportunity
- Commemorative U.S. Open merchandise
- One complimentary parking pass per group
The price? $3,000 per person. While these events aren't budget-oriented, they're exclusive, bespoke, and perfect for Amex's premium card members looking for an exclusive experience with their credit card.
American Express Venue Collection
The Amex Venue Collection spans 20+ sports arenas worldwide and offers perks like dedicated entrances and premium lounges.
At Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, for example, cardholders enjoy an exclusive entrance. In L.A., the Crypto.com Arena offers a Centurion Suite for Amex Platinum and Amex Centurion Card members (plus one guest), available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cardmembers can save 10% on concessions, up to $250 back per calendar year. If you happen to hold season tickets at an arena in the American Express Venue Collection, this could be a big savings throughout the season.
Resy Global Dining Access
The Resy Global Dining Access program is available for premium Amex card members. The program offers exclusive reservations at top restaurants, priority notification for when reservations open, early access to special experiences, and notification to the restaurants that you're a VIP diner. Eligible cards include:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express (and co-branded Amex Platinum cards)
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
- Centurion® Card from American Express
Related: Which Amex Cards Offer Resy Credits?
Chase
Chase also offers its cardholders a wide array of exclusive experiences through Chase Experiences, which span sports, arts, festivals, and more.
U.S. Open
At the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, Chase cardholders (including debit cardholders) can access the Chase Lounge (with pre-registration). The lounge offers free snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, and a comfortable air-conditioned space to relax. I’ve attended multiple times, and the experience is always excellent.
Festivals and arts events
At busy festivals, Chase cardholders can access expedited entry lines. Premium cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, unlock access to lounges and VIP areas. Chase also offers special card member experiences at arts and cultural events, like pop-up seminars during Miami Art Week.
Sporting events
At Chase Center, where the Golden State Warriors play, Chase cardholders save $5 on $30+ concessions purchases and $20 on $100+ merchandise purchases at the Warriors Store.
The Atlanta Hawks offer even more benefits, with 20% off all concessions, $20 off $100+ purchases on merchandise, preferred seating when purchasing tickets, and a fast lane entering the arena.
Chase Field in Phoenix is my home baseball stadium, and I've enjoyed saving 25% off food at the Taste of Chase concession stand and 15% off at the team store. You can even get behind-the-scenes access throughout the season.
Exclusive Sapphire Reserve events
As Chase's most premium card, the Sapphire Reserve offers exclusive events for cardholders. Examples include F1 weekend in Miami, on-the-court dinners at Chase Center and Madison Square Garden, and more.
There are also Sapphire Reserve-exclusive access perks at Chase venues like the Chase Center.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 10X points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 10X points on Chase Dining (including prepaid reservations and prepaid takeout purchased through Chase)
- 5X points on airfare purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on all other travel
- 3X points on dining at restaurants
- 1X points on all other purchases
Capital One
Capital One offers several different exclusive access perks for its cardholders. You'll find the usual pre-sale benefits for various concerts, sporting events, and music festivals, all under the “Capital One Entertainment” umbrella. The experience is powered by Vivid Seats, a ticketing platform similar to Ticketmaster or StubHub.
In addition to all of that, Capital One has several exclusives just for cardholders. Things like VIP packages, athlete and artist meet and greets, and exclusive dining events are just some of the options available.
At events that Capital One sponsors, like the Orange Bowl, Capital One cardholders can purchase access to the Capital One Lounge at Club LIV. At the Capital One Fan Fest event, cardholders get front-of-stage area access and a 10% discount on stadium merchandise, food, and beverages.
And don't forget that you can earn up to 5x miles or up to 8% cash back on entertainment purchases using Capital One credit cards.
- $200 Cash Back after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
- 1% on all other purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- $0 annual fee
- 8% cash back on purchases made via the Capital One Entertainment ticketing platform
- 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
- 3% cash back on dining and entertainment
- 3% at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
- 3% on popular streaming services
- 1% on all other purchases
Citi
Citi Entertainment is Citi's pre-sale ticket offering, available to all Citi cardholders. You'll find the standard events offered here, including festivals, theater, sports, and other experiences available through your credit card.
What's noticeable compared to the competition is the lack of bespoke experiences. Several events in Citi Entertainment offer preferred pricing, but overall, the program seems lackluster compared to the examples above.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo also offers exclusive entertainment opportunities for card members called Autograph Experiences. The exclusive offerings include private concerts for cardmembers, as well as experiences at festivals across the U.S. To access these events, you'll need an Wells Fargo Autograph® Card or Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card.
Big-name entertainers are at these private concerts, including Lionel Richie, Mumford & Sons, and Imagine Dragons. At the Country Bay Music Festival, cardholders received expedited access to the event.
Bank of America
While Bank of America cards don't offer many benefits like the banks above, there's one incredibly unique perk that is worth mentioning. All cardholders of Bank of America credit and debit cards are eligible to participate in the “Museums on Us” program.
The Museums on Us program offers the cardholder free admission to participating museums on the first weekend of every month. There are some incredible museums on this list, including:
- LACMA in Los Angeles
- New York Botanical Garden in NYC
- MOMA (through September) in NYC
- Houston Museum of Natural Science
- International Tennis Hall of Fame
- Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation
There are dozens of participating museums, and it's completely free each month, just for Bank of America cardholders who present their cards at the museums.
Mastercard
While a payment network, not a credit card issuer, Mastercard offers exclusive events and perks just for Mastercard holders. They also work with many credit issuers, so you might already have a Mastercard in your wallet.
The benefits are quite interesting, including 20% off greens fees at TPC Scottsdale, home of the WM Open, plus a welcome gift. In Las Vegas, the newly-opened Netflix Bites restaurant offers exclusive tables for Mastercard holders. And there are dozens of exclusive, purchaseable experiences, like dinner at Tatiana before a New York Philharmonic performance for $500 per person.
There are events around the world available. If you are thinking of purchasing an experience abroad, make sure your Mastercard doesn't have foreign transaction fees.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this guide has shown that your credit card can unlock more than just points — it can open doors to events, dining, and experiences you might not have known existed. While premium cards offer the most exclusive access, many perks are also available to no-annual-fee cards and even debit cards.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees)
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