Having taken a two-year hiatus, concert season is back! Here in Charlotte, there are plenty of concerts to choose from. PNC Pavillion is near my house, and you know there are some days when you don’t want to drive there.

Tickets are getting more expensive as summer approaches, making it harder for people to find tickets and stay within their budgets. Fortunately, there are ways to save on live entertainment. Consumer expert Rebecca Gramuglia of TopCashback.com discusses five ways to enjoy your favorite artists without breaking the bank. This concert season in 2022, here are several ways to save on live entertainment in Charlotte.

• Plan Ahead

  With the demand for entertainment being higher than ever, you’ll want to score your tickets as early as possible to avoid expensive resellers. Look for presale codes on social media, via email, and on the artist’s website. This is a must, especially in Charlotte where concerts sell out fast!

• Compare Pricing

  In-person events can get expensive, especially if you plan to travel out of town. Whether you’re buying your tickets or booking travel online, be sure to use a cashback site, like TopCashback.com, to score the highest percentage of your money back on qualifying purchases from sites like Ticketmaster, StubHub, Expedia, Priceline, and more. This can save you some serious green for beer.

• Figure Out Your Ride

  If you’re planning to drive to the venue, figure out the parking situation ahead of time to avoid surge pricing and last-minute fees. And if you’re planning to use Uber or Lyft to get there, schedule your ride ahead of time for a set price. Some are cheaper than others! (Or ask a friend for a free ride!)

• Use the right credit card

  Depending on the venue or the website you use to purchase tickets, you may have access to special offers and seat sections with your credit card. If you’re an active concert-goer, theatre lover, or sports enthusiast, consider applying for one of these credit cards to score the best possible seats along with cashback and points on purchases. Plus, you can get your tickets early and some stadiums and arenas offer special perks and discounts for specific cardholders — it’s a win-win!

• Stick to a budget

  Merchandise and concessions at events can add up pretty quickly. To ensure you budget effectively for the concert, research the venue to see what you can bring inside. And if you plan on buying merchandise, check the artist’s website for pricing in advance and give yourself a generous budget in case prices are higher than expected.

  Pro-tip: Don’t be afraid to walk away if it’s too expensive. After the concert, look for budget-friendly merchandise at retailers like Hot Topic or from eBay resales.

• Get to know the surrounding area

  Whether you’re traveling far or staying close to home, make sure to research the venue’s local amenities. You can save on dining in the area with discount gift cards from sites like Raise, or plan activities and experiences from sites like Groupon. This will allow you to plan out your entire day surrounding the concert in advance to avoid sold-out reservations and long wait times.

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