Tennis fans: Get lounge access and other US Open benefits through your credit card

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

While summer is drawing to a close, for tennis fans, the end of August marks the start of the U.S. Open, which runs from August 26 to September 8, at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. And if you plan on attending the event in person, you’ll be able to do a lot more than watch your favorite players compete.

Attending the U.S. Open is exhilarating in and of itself, but the experience can be elevated by your credit card. For the past few years, American Express and Chase have offered cardholders a range of special perks, such as access to exclusive lounges and giveaways.

Here’s a look at some of the benefits that you can take advantage of at the 2024 U.S. Open.

Discounted bag check

The U.S. Open limits each guest to just one bag, with a maximum size of 16 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches. However, American Express cardholders with additional or larger bags can save $5 when checking them at the storage facilities located outside the East Gate and the South Gate entrances.

US Open American Express Fan Experience

Whether you’re an American Express cardholder or not, you can visit the 20,000-square-foot Fan Experience located near the Main Entry and across from Louis Armstrong Stadium. It offers free immersive experiences like a Glow Tennis mixed reality game and a custom tennis ball customization station.

American Express Card Member Lounge 

All American Express cardholders (excluding American Express prepaid cards) have complimentary access to a lounge located on the second level of the American Express US Open Fan Experience. The space is air-conditioned and offers drinks, snacks, exclusive Ralph Lauren merchandise, free live portrait sketches and more.

You can bring up to two guests, but note that access is on a first-come, first-served basis, so there may sometimes be a wait.  

The Centurion® Lounge

A more premium Centurion Lounge is available for Centurion members and those with Platinum American Express cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. The lounge is located on the second floor of the Louis Armstrong Stadium, and similar to the Centurion airport lounges, features a selection of complimentary light bites and drinks, as well as some U.S. Open-themed giveaways. Terms apply.

Because capacity is limited, reservations must be made in advance via Resy. Reservations are released daily starting at 10 a.m. You can also request to be added to the waitlist by visiting the lounge in person, though it’s subject to availability.  

Platinum cardholders can make reservations for a table of up to two people, while Centurion cardholders are allowed a table of up to four people. Each reservation provides up to one hour of access to the lounge.

Cash-back for on-site purchases 

Concessions at the U.S. Open can get pricey, but American Express cardholders can get a one-time $10 statement credit after spending $100 or more at participating on-site merchants with their eligible card. Enrollment is required via the Amex Offers section of your online account.

American Express® Radios

Free loaner radios with ESPN broadcasts and live U.S. Open updates are available to anyone with an American Express card. You’re allowed one radio per card and they are only available while supplies last.

Match Point Mint Chip x Amex

This year, Amex is partnering with ice cream makers Van Leeuwen to bring tennis fans a new limited-edition flavor — Match Point Mint Chip x Amex. Starting on August 26, you can indulge in a green mint chip with blue frosting swirl ice cream at 23 Van Leeuwen scoop shops across New York City (while supplies last). If you need your corporate-sponsored scoop now, you can get an early taste at one of the three-day ice cream truck pop-ups from August 15 to August 17.

Best American Express cards for event benefits

American Express cardholders can take advantage of exclusive benefits at sporting events, concerts, Broadway shows and more. Perks can include access to ticket presales, premium seating, cardmember-only lounges and exclusive entrances at major venues. More premium cards can unlock access to “By Invitation Only” experiences, like the Centurion Lounge at the U.S. Open.

Here are some of the best American Express cards to consider for special event benefits:

Although Chase is no longer offering the Chase Pass this year, you can still make a reservation for its lounge, located in the Chase Center by the East Gate entrance, through the Chase Lounge reservation system.

At the Chase Lounge, you can enjoy complimentary light refreshments, a U.S. Open hat customization station, a morning grab-and-go coffee bar and live streaming of the tennis matches.

If you aren’t able to make a reservation in advance, you’ll be able to join a waitlist on-site.

Stars of the Open presented by Chase

On August 21 at 7 p.m., Chase is bringing together some of the biggest names in tennis, including Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams at Arthur Ashe Stadium for a special exhibition called “Stars of the Open.” As a Chase cardholder, you can snag preferred seating by using your customer service number from your Chase statement or the back of your Chase card as the promo code at checkout.

Before the exhibition, from 4 pm to 6 pm, you can also reserve a spot at ChaseGetsYouCloser.com to watch retired tennis great Andy Roddick record a live episode of the podcast “Served.”

Chase Terrace

If you like the idea of the lounge, but would rather watch the tennis matches in person instead of on a screen, the Chase Terrace may be more up your alley. The Chase Terrace is an exclusive, outdoor lounge located next to the grandstand. It offers shaded seating, complimentary light refreshments, a private cash bar, a custom bracelet station and elevated viewing of courts 8, 9 and 10.

The Terrace is available to walk-ins, but capacity is limited so get there early to maximize your chances of attending.

Free cellphone charging

Chase has over 40,000 portable chargers available for rent free of charge at stations across the grounds.

Tennis at the Seaport

Cardholders of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® have the opportunity to book 45-minute clinics with Andy Roddick (from August 26 to August 27) or private court time on the rooftop of Pier 17 in New York City’s Seaport District through Chase Ultimate Rewards. After your session, you can relax at the Seaport Sapphire Lounge, which offers a free cocktail and appetizer and is open to both Preferred and Reserve cardholders.

On August 28 at 7 pm, Reserve cardholders can also listen to a live podcast recording of the “Served” podcast with Roddick from the Seaport. Roddick will also host a US Open preview event at the Seaport exclusively for Sapphire cardholders, followed by a Q&A and cocktail party.

Best Chase cards for event benefits 

All Chase credit cardholders and banking customers have access to Chase Experiences, which unlocks access to exclusive events and experiences. Aside from the U.S. Open, cardholders can also enjoy perks like ticket presales, priority entry, preferred seating and access to VIP lounges at events like Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival, and at venues like Madison Square Garden, Chase Center and Chase Field. Even better, cardholders can redeem their Ultimate Rewards® points for many of these experiences.

Those with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® get even more event benefits, including access to the Sapphire Dining series.

While many U.S. Open credit card perks are limited to American Express and Chase cardholders, there are other credit cards that can help you save money at the tournament as well. For example, if you have the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card*, you can purchase your U.S. Open tickets through the Capital One Entertainment portal to earn 8% cashback. That’s one of the highest returns available for entertainment spending.

The Citi Custom Cash® Card is also worth considering since it earns 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent (then 1%). One of those categories is live entertainment, which includes sporting event tickets. The card has no annual fee and cardholders also have access to various ticket presales and other perks through the Citi Entertainment portal.

While rewards credit cards are perhaps best known for their travel benefits, they can provide numerous other valuable perks, including access to special areas and experiences at events like the U.S. Open. Not only can these benefits elevate your experience at the events, but they may even help you save money.

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* Information for this card not reviewed by or provided by Capital One

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.

For rates and fees of The American Express® Gold Card, click here.

*Information about the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.