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It’s easy to get addicted to the main perks that credit cards offer. Perks like accelerated points earning, monthly rebates, free hotel nights, and even good travel insurance usually come first, while perks like access to pre-sales and exclusive tickets tend to be on the backburner. I have.
These side perks may not be as flashy, but they can definitely provide value and shouldn’t be overlooked. One of the forgotten perks is access to Citi Entertainment, a website that offers Citi cardholders tickets to music, sports and cultural events. These tickets include pre-sales for big name concerts, VIP packages and even free tickets. Even better, the site is free to use.
This post explains how Citi Entertainment works, how to access it, and the value it can provide. Plus, we look at the best credit cards to use to maximize your Citi Entertainment purchases.
Best Citi Credit Cards of 2023
What is City Entertainment?
Citi Entertainment (formerly Citi Private Pass) is a website that offers Citi credit card and Citibank debit cardholders access to concerts, sporting events, arts and cultural experiences. Exclusive access includes pre-sales, priority tickets, exclusive experiences, VIP packages and even free tickets.
Big concerts (Beyoncé, Duran Duran, Dave Matthews Band), sporting events (NBA, MLB), stand-up comedy (Chelsea Handler, David Spade), art events (Jean-Michel Basquiat), exclusive events (Citi Taste of Tennis) and much more.

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How does City Entertainment work?
Anyone can browse the Citi Entertainment website, but only Citi cardholders can purchase tickets and experiences.
There are four main types of tickets available at Citi Entertainment.
- City pre-sale: Tickets sold to City Card members prior to public release.
- City priority ticket: Tickets reserved for Citi card holders during public sale.
- City free ticket: Complimentary tickets for select events are available to Citi cardholders, but are limited to one complimentary offer per account every six months.
- City VIP Package: A ticket package that includes additional benefits such as merch, meet and greet, and access to the event’s hospitality area.
Citi is the official card for many high-profile concert tours (including the highly anticipated Beyonce Renaissance World Tour), making Citi Entertainment a major player in the event ticket space.
Most Citi credit or debit cards allow access to Citi entertainment, however some events may be available only to some cardholders.
How to get to City Entertainment
No login is required to purchase tickets, but you must use a Citi credit card with the Visa or Mastercard logo or a Citibank debit card with the Mastercard logo as payment.
Citi Entertainment’s website is simple, with available concerts and events displayed on the home page. There’s also a search box so you can quickly find specific events based on location, date range, or specific event or artist.

city entertainment
After selecting the event, click . buy now again buy advance tickets.

city entertainment
A passcode must be entered to complete the purchase (see below for details). Some ticket purchases are processed on his Citi Entertainment website, while others are forwarded to ticket processing agencies such as his Ticketmaster and LiveNation.
We recommend linking your Citi card to your Ticketmaster or LiveNation account in advance to make the purchasing process as smooth as possible.
Some presale tickets processed by Ticketmaster may be labeled as Citi Verified Fan Presale. Ticketmaster Verified Fan is a way to separate humans from bots. Pre-registration is required for sales. Once verified, you will receive an email with your access code the night before the presale begins. For high-demand events, registration does not guarantee receipt of access codes or purchase of tickets.

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Citi Entertainment does not charge a fee, but the ticketing agent processing your purchase may charge a processing and/or delivery fee.
How do I find my Citi Entertainment passcode?
Some events and concerts may require a passcode to purchase tickets.

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If you initiate on the Citi Entertainment website and purchase tickets through Ticketmaster or Live Nation, The passcode is the first 6 digits of your Citi credit card or Citibank debit card. number. If you purchased directly on Citi Entertainment’s website or another processing site (such as Eventbrite), after clicking the purchase link, a pop-up box will display your passcode.

Citi Entertainment (Taste of Tennis Event)
How to get the most out of Citi Entertainment
There are several ways to get the most out of what Citi Entertainment has to offer.
First, Citi Entertainment sends out weekly emails to keep you up to date on ticket presales and special events. Only Citi credit cardholders are eligible to sign up for the email list and must use the email associated with their credit card account. Citibank debit cardholders are excluded from the mailing list.
If you subscribe to the Citi Entertainment mailing list, you will receive early notice of presales and special events.
Citi credit card comparison
Best credit card to use for Citi Entertainment purchases
The next way to get the most out of your Citi Entertainment purchases is with the right credit card.
If you wish to purchase tickets from the Citi Entertainment website but do not have a Citi credit card or Citibank debit card, you will need to apply for a new card before completing your purchase. If you’re short on time, consider a Citi card that offers instant account access, such as the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card. After authorization, simply request instant access to your card. Please make a note of the temporary number as it will be required when purchasing tickets.
Even better, the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card earns you 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend categories each billing cycle, up to the first $500 of your monthly spend, and other Earn 1% cash back on all purchases. One of the categories is live entertainment and this card is perfect for purchasing tickets through Citi Entertainment.
The other 5% categories include restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, some travel, some transportation, some streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, and fitness clubs.
If you plan to spend $500 or more on one of the specific categories such as live entertainment, or don’t want to think about bonus categories, the Citi® Double Cash Card gives you unlimited 2% cash back on all your purchases — 1% when the purchase is made and another 1% when the payment is completed may be appropriate.
Any cashback earned with these two cards will be awarded as Citi ThankYou points. These points can be redeemed for cash back (direct deposit, statement credit or check by mail). You can also use them for gift cards, travel and shopping at a rate of 1 cent per point.
The ability to transfer these points to airline and hotel partners is enhanced if you also hold an eligible card such as the Citi Premier® Card. This could potentially earn you more than 1 cent per point from your ThankYou points.
Citi ThankYou transfer partners are:
Why should you use City Entertainment?
There are no downsides to using Citi Entertainment. It is free to use and gives access to a wide range of concerts and events. Plus, you often get exclusive access to pre-sales of famous tours.
Access to Citi Entertainment is also available with Citi’s no annual fee card, giving you easy access without having to carry a high annual fee card in your wallet each year.
Alternatives to Citi Entertainment
Citi Entertainment isn’t the only way to get exclusive tickets to concerts and events.
American Express cardholders have access to American Express Experiences. The website offers pre-sale of tickets and exclusive access to the event for select cardholders. Some of these events may overlap with those offered by Citi Entertainment, but many are unique to American Express, so it makes sense to check both websites when looking for event tickets. It is fulfilled.
Chase Cardholders have access to Chase Experiences, which offer preferred seating, exclusive sponsored events and unique dining experiences. Chase’s platform focuses on unique events with less access to concert tickets than Citi Entertainment.
Find the Best Credit Cards for 2023
There is no one best credit card for every family, every purchase, and every budget. We’ve picked the best credit cards in a way that’s designed to be the most helpful for a wide variety of readers.
Conclusion
Citi Entertainment provides access to concerts, sports and other live events to Citi credit card and Citibank debit cardholders. Exclusive access includes pre-sales, priority tickets, exclusive experiences, VIP packages and complimentary tickets. Citi Entertainment is free and convenient for purchasing event tickets.