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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— which offers 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of the most rewarding options for earning cash back in categories such as entertainment and dining without paying an annual fee.
- One of the most rewarding cash back cards for entertainment and streaming services
- No annual fee
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- High APR
- Requires a good to excellent credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; 18.74% - 28.74% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
Introductory fee of 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account during the first 12 months that your account is open. After that, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that we may offer you at any other time.
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+. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms apply.
The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is a low-fee card with generous cash-back rewards and useful ongoing benefits, such as a monthly Disney Bundle credit. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High cash-back earnings for U.S. supermarkets and streaming services
- Intro-APR offer for purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee for the first year
- It's less rewarding after the first year because of the annual fee
- Bonus rewards for U.S. supermarkets are capped
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $300 cash back* after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $3,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
- Plan It®: Buy now, pay later with Plan It. Split purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee so you don't have the pressure of paying all at once. Simply select the purchase in your online account or the American Express® App to see your plan options. Plus, you'll still earn rewards on purchases the way you usually do.
- Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases (then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at eligible U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more) purchases 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 and at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to a $10 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here.
