Blog

Editor’s note: TPG attended Sapphire Presents Odesza DJ Set at the Chicago Theatre as a guest of Chase. 

Chase cardholders can access music events in select cities throughout the year, including Sapphire Presents, a concert series hosted by Chase Experiences.

Recently, I attended the Sapphire Presents Odesza DJ Set at the Chicago Theatre, which was exclusively available for Chase credit and debit cardholders.

Here’s what Chase cardholders need to know about Sapphire Presents events.

Accessing Chase Sapphire Presents

These events are restricted to Chase credit and debit cardholders and their guests, with access available through Ticketmaster.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can buy tickets with additional access and perks — including packages with premium artist experiences, such as a meet-and-greet before the show — through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

For this particular show, those additional perks included best-in-house tickets, access to the Chase Lounge which was decked out with complimentary food and beverages before the show as well as an artist meet-and-greet. Those with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card can access musical festivals via the portal as well.

The first few rows of orchestra seating were reserved for Sapphire Reserve cardholders who purchased tickets using their Chase Ultimate Rewards points. There was also a VIP section in the pit.

The Chase Lounge

After going through security at the Chicago show, Sapphire Reserve cardholders who got their tickets through the Ultimate Rewards portal and wanted to visit the Chase Lounge were directed to a separate entrance; they were then escorted to the area. After a few minutes in the lounge, cardholders who had signed up for the meet-and-greet were taken to the main stage to meet the men behind the Odesza duo: Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight.

After talking to the electronic artist pair for a few minutes, we returned to the Chase Lounge to enjoy complimentary food and beverages, which were available from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages were available at the bar, but you could also order from one of the many servers walking around. The featured drinks paid homage to the main act, with cocktails named Summer’s Gone-tequila (featuring a margarita-based drink dosed with a bit of mango-flavored bubbly and garnished with dried mango) and A Moment Apart (a fun mix of gin, lemon juice, and a splash of sparkling wine garnished with a candied lemon peel).

Other beverage options included RedBull, High Noon hard seltzer, Modelo, White Claw, Stella Artois, red and white wines as well as a variety of soft drinks.

Hors d’oeuvres were served in the lounge beginning at around 7 p.m. The menu included short rib tacos, bacon-wrapped filet mignon bites, pulled blackened chicken polenta, feta saganaki served with hot honey, spring rolls, and truffle mac and cheese Parmesan cones. For dessert, there were carrot cake pops, chocolate chip dough lollipops and brown butter caramel sea salt petit fours.

Sapphire Reserve cardholders who purchased the meet-and-greet package received a signed Odesza album; anyone could take their photo in a photo booth.

Bottom line

Both the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card are currently offering new cardholders larger-than-normal signup bonuses. You can get 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening the card.

As one of the most valuable rewards travel credit cards, the Sapphire Reserve offers up to 10 points per dollar spent on dining, hotels and car rentals booked through the Chase Travel℠ portal. Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to hotel and airline partners or redeemed directly on flights at a rate of 1.5 cents per point. The Sapphire Preferred offers 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel.

Sapphire Presents tickets are available to Chase credit and debit cardholders for events nationwide in various locations. Sapphire Reserve cardholders can purchase VIP packages through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

Upcoming Sapphire Presents events include Bleachers at The Chicago Theatre on June 3. Additionally, Sapphire Reserve members can access exclusive packages for music festivals nationwide, including Boston Calling, Lollapalooza, Outside Lands and Roots Picnic.

Related reading:

• How to book travel (and save points) with Chase Travel
• Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred is more than just a starter card
• How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value
• 6 reasons why the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the perfect card for the average traveler
• How I used 75K Chase points for a last-minute trip to Greece
• Why you’ll want to pay the $95 annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth the annual fee?