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Best Credit Card for Ticketmaster in 2026
July 1, 2025
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
Editor's Picks
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card (See Rates & Fees) is our top pick for Ticketmaster because its 3% entertainment category covers ticket purchases from sports and theatrical promoters, and it has no annual fee.
If you'd rather not depend on how a ticket seller is coded, a flat-rate card like the Citi Double Cash® Card earns 2% on every purchase.
Top Cards
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
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Why we picked it: Capital One defines entertainment as ticket purchases at movie theaters, sports promoters (professional and semi-professional live events), theatrical promoters, amusement parks, tourist attractions, and similar venues. It excludes collegiate sporting events and golf courses.
The Savor earns unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services. It also earns 5% on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1% on all other purchases.
There's no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee. New cardholders get a 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers, after that the variable APR will be 18.74% to 28.74%. Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate. Rewards don't expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem cash back for any amount.
Citi Double Cash® Card
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Why we picked it: The Double Cash earns 2% cash back on purchases, 1% when you buy and 1% as you pay, so a ticket order earns the same rate however it's coded. There's no annual fee and no cap on cash back.
Citi cardholders also get Citi Entertainment®, which offers special access to tickets for thousands of events, including presale tickets to concerts, sporting events, and arts and culture experiences.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2894", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Cash Back Seekers", "headerHint": "Unlimited 2% Cash Rewards"} ]]
The information for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has been collected independently by Kudos. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why we picked it: The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card earns unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases with no annual fee. It also offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, after that the variable APR will be 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74%, which can help if you're spreading out the cost of festival passes or season tickets.
How to Choose a Credit Card for Ticketmaster
Key Factors
- Entertainment rewards: Check how the issuer defines entertainment. Ticket purchases from promoters may qualify, but the merchant's category code decides what you earn.
- Annual fee: All three picks have no annual fee, so every dollar of rewards is net value.
- Presale access: Some issuers run their own ticket access programs, such as Citi Entertainment®.
- Intro APR: If you'll pay off a big ticket order over a few months, a 0% intro APR on purchases saves interest.
- Broader spending: Pick a card that also rewards your dining, grocery, or everyday spending.
What to Watch Out For
Capital One notes that rewards depend on the category code a merchant assigns, and Capital One isn't responsible for those codes. Purchases made through third-party payment accounts or digital wallets may not earn the higher rate, depending on how the purchase is processed.
Maximize Your Return on Ticketmaster
- Use the right card: Charge tickets to a card whose bonus category covers live events, or to a flat-rate card.
- Check card-linked offers: Issuer offer programs sometimes include entertainment merchants. Kudos Premium auto-activates card-linked offers from five major issuers, including Chase, Citi, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, so you don't have to add them one by one.
- Pay in full: Interest on a carried balance can wipe out the rewards on a ticket purchase.
- Know your payment options: See whether Ticketmaster takes Apple Pay before you check out with a digital wallet.
Let Kudos Pick the Card at Checkout
When you shop online, the free Kudos extension recommends the card in your wallet that earns the most and can autofill it at checkout. Card-linked offer auto-activation is part of Kudos Premium; free members don't get auto-activation.
Other Things to Consider
If you buy tickets through an issuer's own platform, the earning rules can differ. For example, Capital One cardholders can book through Capital One Entertainment, which our Capital One Entertainment guide covers in detail.
Whatever card you use, pay the balance in full each month. Using a debit card keeps you within budget, and buy now, pay later plans should be weighed carefully alongside your other debts.
Our Methodology
Kudos evaluates nearly 3,000 credit cards, far more than the roughly 150 cards many sites cover because they focus on cards tied to affiliate commissions. More than 95% of the cards in our Card Explorer don't pay us a commission.
We compare cards on rewards rates, fees, APRs, and benefits verified against issuer websites. You can also browse the full dataset yourself in the Kudos Card Explorer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ticketmaster count as entertainment for credit card rewards?
It depends on the merchant category code and your issuer's definition. Capital One's Savor entertainment category includes ticket purchases from sports and theatrical promoters, but the code the merchant uses determines the rate.
Can I get presale access with a credit card?
Some issuers offer it through their own programs. Citi Entertainment®, for example, gives eligible Citi cardholders special access to tickets, including presales.
What's the safest choice if I'm not sure how Ticketmaster is coded?
A flat-rate card, such as the Citi Double Cash® or Wells Fargo Active Cash®, earns 2% on the purchase regardless of category.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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