Concert tickets have been steadily increasing in price, but that's not stopping fans from paying to see their favorite artists.
Over the past decade, the average ticket price for North American concerts increased 55% to $94.83, according to concert trade publisher Pollstar. And nine of the top 10 North American tours this year averaged over $100 per ticket.
The Rolling Stones had the highest grossing North American tour at $177.8 million and charged an average $226.61 per ticket. But that's hardly the most expensive. Fans paid an average of $506 per ticket to see the limited-run "Springsteen On Broadway" — which ended up on Netflix months later, where you could watch it for free with a trial or as cheap as $8.99 for the basic plan.
Still, there's no comparing the experience of watching Springsteen (or whoever you count among your favorite bands) live versus on TV. Below, CNBC Select explains how a credit card can help you save on concerts so you don't regret dolling out hundreds to see your favorite artist.
How a credit card can help you save on concert tickets
If you have an entertainment rewards credit card, you can save up to 4% on concert tickets, helping offset the cost of going to see Billy Joel or Taylor Swift. Purchasing two $100 concert tickets with a credit card offering 4% cash back earns you $8, which can be used to offset the ticket price or food at the venue.
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is Select's top choice for the best entertainment rewards credit card with unlimited 4% cash back on entertainment purchases. This card does have a $95 annual fee, but it can be offset by the rewards you earn.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
4% cash back on dining and entertainment, 4% on eligible streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.24% variable
Balance transfer fee
3% for promotional APR offers; none for balances transferred at regular APR
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
There is a no annual fee alternative — the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees)— which offers 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rewards
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024, 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; Terms apply, 3% cash back on dining and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), 3% cash back on popular streaming services and entertainment, and 1% cash back on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
3% for the first 15 months or at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees. Terms apply.
Other eligible entertainment purchases include: movie tickets, sports promoters (professional and semi-professional live events), theatrical promoters, amusement parks, tourist attractions, aquariums, zoos, dance halls, record stores, pool halls or bowling alleys.
Exclusions include: golf courses, collegiate sporting events and cable, digital streaming and membership services.
If you're not willing to fork over nearly $100 per person for a concert, consider other entertainment rewards cards that offer bonus rewards on streaming services, which may have concert specials. The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offers 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, which includes Netflix, Hulu and Disney+. Terms apply.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Rewards
6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, 3% cash back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) and 1% cash back on other purchases. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Welcome bonus
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 6 months.
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Intro APR
0% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.99% variable. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
2.7%
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees, terms apply.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
