When you have the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, it’s easy to focus only on the travel benefits.
Delta Sky Club access.
Companion Certificate.
First checked bag free.
Upgrade priority.
Those are the big headline perks.
But there’s another benefit that can quietly come in handy, especially if you enjoy concerts, sports, theater, or live entertainment.
That benefit is Amex Preferred Tickets.
It’s not a benefit you’ll use every day. It’s not as obvious as lounge access. But when there’s a popular event you really want to attend, this perk can give you another way to get tickets before they disappear.
Let’s break it down in a simple, real-life way.
What Are Amex Preferred Tickets?
Amex Preferred Tickets are special ticket access opportunities for eligible American Express Card Members.
In simple terms, American Express may set aside certain seats or ticket inventory for eligible cardmembers at select events. These can include concerts, sports games, theater shows, comedy events, and other live entertainment.
American Express describes Amex Preferred Tickets as tickets for select events and select seats that eligible Card Members may purchase during a specified period while supplies last.
That’s the key phrase: while supplies last.
So this is not a guarantee that you’ll always get tickets. It simply gives you another access path when Preferred Tickets are offered.
Why This Benefit Matters
If you’ve ever tried buying tickets to a popular event, you know how stressful it can be.
You wait for the sale to open.
You join the queue.
You finally get in.
Then the seats are gone.
Or worse, the only seats left are way more expensive than expected.
This is where Amex Preferred Tickets can help.
Instead of only relying on the general public sale, you may get access to cardmember-only ticket inventory or preferred seating options.
That can mean:
A better chance at getting tickets
More seat options
Less competition than the regular public sale
A smoother booking experience
It does not mean free tickets. It does not always mean cheaper tickets. But it can mean better access, and sometimes access is what matters most.
How This Connects to the Delta Reserve Card
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card is issued by American Express, so you’re not only getting Delta-specific benefits. You’re also connected to the broader Amex ecosystem.
That’s where benefits like Amex Experiences and Amex Preferred Tickets come in.
American Express says eligible Card Members can explore special ticket access and presales across categories like sports, theater, art, dining, and music.
So even though the Delta Reserve Card is mainly known as a travel card, it can still give you access to lifestyle perks outside the airport.
That’s what makes this benefit interesting. It gives the card more everyday value, especially if you enjoy live events.
What It Looks Like in Real Life
Let’s say your favorite artist announces a concert.
Normally, you would wait for the general sale and hope you get lucky.
But with Amex Preferred Tickets, you might see ticket options reserved for American Express Card Members.
You go to the ticket platform.
You find the event.
You see seats labeled for Amex or Preferred Tickets.
You unlock access using your eligible American Express card.
You pay with that card.
That’s the basic idea.
The same thing can happen with sports games, theater performances, comedy shows, and other entertainment events.
Again, it’s not automatic for every event. But when it’s available, it can be very useful.
How to Use Amex Preferred Tickets
The process is usually simple, but it depends on the event and ticketing platform.
In many cases, you’ll need to buy online, on a mobile device, or through a ticketing platform that supports American Express access.
American Express says eligible Card Members may be asked to enter the 10-digit customer service phone number on the back of their eligible card when purchasing tickets. For some Ticketmaster events, you may need to connect your eligible American Express card to your Ticketmaster account and provide your 15-digit card number when prompted.
So the process may look like this:
Find an event offering Amex Preferred Tickets
Go to the official ticketing platform
Look for Amex Preferred Tickets or Preferred Seating
Enter the required code or connect your card if needed
Select your seats
Pay with your eligible American Express card
That’s it.
No complicated enrollment. No separate membership. Just make sure you follow the event instructions.
Is This the Same as Amex Presale?
Not exactly.
Amex Presale and Amex Preferred Tickets are related, but they are not always the same thing.
Amex Presale usually means eligible Card Members get early access to buy tickets before the general public.
Amex Preferred Tickets usually means there may be select seats or ticket inventory reserved for eligible Card Members.
Both are about access, but the timing and ticket availability can work differently.
The easiest way to think about it:
Amex Presale = early access
Amex Preferred Tickets = reserved or preferred ticket access
Some events may offer one. Some may offer both. Some may offer neither.
Are the Tickets Free or Discounted?
No, not usually.
This is important.
Amex Preferred Tickets do not mean free tickets.
They also do not always mean cheaper tickets.
The value is usually in the access. You may get the chance to buy certain tickets that are not available to everyone, or you may get access before the best options disappear.
So don’t think of this as a money-saving benefit first.
Think of it as an access benefit.
And for hard-to-get events, access can be more valuable than a discount.
Does Every Event Offer Amex Preferred Tickets?
No.
This benefit depends on the event, venue, artist, promoter, and American Express partnership.
Some events may have a lot of Amex ticket options. Others may have none.
Availability is limited and tickets are first-come, first-served.
American Express also makes clear that these tickets are for select events and select seats, during a specified period, while supplies last.
So if you see an event you really want, don’t wait too long.
Do You Need to Use Your Delta Reserve Card to Pay?
Yes, generally you should expect to use your eligible American Express card to complete the purchase.
If the ticket access is tied to American Express eligibility, the ticketing platform may require you to pay with an eligible Amex card.
This is where your Delta Reserve Card comes in.
Use the card that unlocks the access and complete the purchase with that same card unless the event terms say otherwise.
Can You Share the Benefit With Someone Else?
This depends on the platform and rules.
For Ticketmaster, American Express says Preferred Seating is a benefit reserved for eligible Card Members who connect their card with their Ticketmaster account. It also notes that an American Express Card Account, including Additional Cards on the account, can be linked to only one Ticketmaster account.
So don’t assume you can freely share the benefit with multiple people or multiple ticketing accounts.
If you’re buying tickets for a group, the easiest approach is usually to buy the tickets yourself using your eligible Amex card, then have everyone pay you back separately if needed.
Best Times to Use Amex Preferred Tickets
This benefit is most useful when demand is high.
Use it for:
Popular concerts
Major sports events
Theater shows with limited seats
Comedy shows
Events in major cities
Special entertainment experiences
If the event is easy to buy anyway, the benefit may not feel important.
But if tickets are competitive, Amex Preferred Tickets can give you another chance.
Real-Life Example
Let’s say there’s a concert in Los Angeles that you really want to attend.
The artist is popular, and you know tickets will sell quickly.
You check the ticketing platform and see Amex Preferred Tickets available.
Instead of waiting for whatever seats remain during the general sale, you unlock the Amex ticket inventory using your eligible American Express card.
Now you have access to seats that may not be visible to everyone else.
That’s the benefit.
It’s not about getting something free. It’s about having another door open when everyone else is trying to enter through the same one.
Common Mistake 1: Thinking It Means Free Tickets
This is the biggest misunderstanding.
Amex Preferred Tickets means access to buy select tickets. It does not mean American Express is giving you free tickets.
Common Mistake 2: Waiting Too Long
Preferred ticket inventory can sell out.
If you see seats you like and the price works for you, don’t assume they’ll still be there later.
Common Mistake 3: Not Reading the Instructions
Some events require a code. Some require card verification. Some require linking your card to Ticketmaster.
Read the instructions carefully before the sale starts.
Common Mistake 4: Using the Wrong Card
If the event requires payment with an eligible American Express card, make sure you use your Delta Reserve Card or another eligible Amex card.
Using a non-Amex card may not work.
Common Mistake 5: Assuming Every Event Has It
Not every concert, sports game, or show offers Amex Preferred Tickets.
Check availability first.
Who Gets the Most Value From This?
This benefit is great if you enjoy live events.
You’ll probably get the most value if you:
Go to concerts
Watch sports games
Attend theater shows
Travel to major cities
Buy tickets for family or friends
Like having early or special access
If you rarely go to events, this benefit may not matter much. But if you enjoy entertainment, it’s a nice extra to have.
How This Fits Into the Delta Reserve Card
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card is mainly a premium Delta travel card.
But not every benefit has to happen inside an airport.
Amex Preferred Tickets adds a lifestyle layer to the card.
You can use the travel benefits to get to your destination. Then you can use Amex ticket benefits to enjoy something while you’re there.
For example:
Use Delta benefits for your flight
Use lounge access at the airport
Arrive in your destination city
Use Amex Preferred Tickets for a concert, show, or game
That’s where the card starts to feel more complete.
It’s not just about travel. It’s also about experiences.
Final Thoughts
Amex Preferred Tickets is one of those benefits on the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card that you may not think about often.
But when the right event comes along, it can be very useful.
It can give you access to select tickets, preferred seating opportunities, presales, or reserved inventory for certain events. It doesn’t mean free tickets, and availability is not guaranteed. But it can give you a better chance when tickets are hard to get.
The key is simple:
Check for Amex ticket access before buying event tickets.
Read the instructions carefully.
Use your eligible American Express card.
Act quickly when good seats are available.
It’s not flashy like lounge access or upgrades, but it’s practical.
And when you finally get tickets to an event you really want, you’ll appreciate this benefit a lot more.
