Planning to attend the ACL Music Festival? Enjoy a $5 credit, faster entry, and lounge access with a qualifying Amex card.

Each fall, around 500,000 music fans gather at Zilker Metropolitan Park in downtown Austin for the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

This year's lineup features headliners such as Chappell Roan, Dua Lipa, Blink-182, and Tyler, the Creator, along with many other acts across seven main stages.

With American Express sponsoring the event for the seventh consecutive year, having an Amex card will enhance your festival experience. Here are the perks available to you.

For all cardholders

$5 credit

Link your wristband to your American Express card to receive a one-time $5 credit, which will be applied to your wristband for cashless transactions at the festival. Linking a card will simplify your food, drink, and merchandise purchases.

Keep in mind that while you can buy food and drinks, these transactions will be categorized as general purchases. Therefore, it's advisable to use one of the top cards for everyday expenses.

Expedited entry

If you thrive on music but dread waiting in long lines, American Express offers you the chance to "skip the line" access.

By linking your ACL wristband to any Amex card, you can use your wristband at the American Express Cashless Entrance at the Lady Bird Lake and Barton Springs West entries. (Be aware that the Barton Springs East entrance, the busiest entry point, lacks an Amex fast-pass lane.)

Think of it as TSA PreCheck for ACL. This will be particularly beneficial during peak times when entrance and security lines may exceed an hour.

Merchandise benefits

Amex cardmembers looking to take home more than just memories and photos from their ACL experience can enjoy three exclusive merch benefits:

• Merch customization station: While all festival attendees can enter the Amex Experience (details below), Amex cardmembers can pick up a free trucker hat or mini-tote bag that can be customized with pins. Supplies are limited, so make this one of your first stops at the festival.
• Mystery merch window: At a "mystery merch window" located outside the Amex Experience, cardmembers can buy a mystery box filled with Dua Lipa merchandise alongside official ACL items.
• Expedited merch lane: Cardmembers have access to a special fast lane to bypass the main merch line.

To utilize these merchandise benefits, ensure your Amex card is linked to your wristband; alternatively, you can present a physical card or the card in a digital wallet (note that photos are not accepted).

For premium cardholders: Amex Saloon

A brand-new Amex Saloon located next to the American Express Stage features a bar and lounge with a saloon theme.

Access is available for holders of the following cards:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
• Centurion Card from American Express*
• The American Express Corporate Platinum Card®*

*The details for these cards have been independently gathered by Dinogo. The information on this page has not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

The space will feature beverages for sale, shaded lawn games, comfortable seating, and complimentary personalized boot branding, aligning with this year's cowboy theme.

Tecovas will provide boot branding daily from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible footwear includes genuine leather or suede boots (exotic materials not allowed). They will brand the boots permanently with letters, numbers, or designs like hearts, horseshoes, and bucking broncos. The process typically takes 10-15 minutes.

Cardmembers can also register for viewing access from the side stage of the American Express Stage. (Please note, there is often a wait for this.)

Most cardmembers can bring along one guest; however, Centurion cardmembers may bring up to three guests.

Your wristband alone won't grant you access to this area—you'll need to present your physical card or a card stored in a digital wallet like Apple Wallet (no photos allowed).

For everyone: Amex Experience

All festival attendees are encouraged to stop by the American Express Experience.

Inside, they'll discover a disco-cowboy-themed cash bar offering a variety of cocktails and ready-to-drink options, including beer, wine, hard seltzers, and nonalcoholic beverages.

A small-business market will also be available, allowing attendees to purchase festival-themed items from local Austin vendors, including accessories, artwork, jewelry, and vintage clothing. Featured businesses this year include Xtao, Future Vagabond, and Paper Work.

The Amex Experience operates from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Bottom line

After linking your Amex card to your registered wristband, you can enjoy cashless payments for concessions, merchandise, and various transactions throughout the festival grounds.

The Amex Experience welcomes all fans, whether or not they possess an Amex card.

All Amex cardholders enjoy merchandise benefits, while premium cardmembers gain access to the saloon located to the right of the American Express Stage. Additionally, every Amex-registered wristband holder receives a one-time $5 cashless spending credit, valid for a single transaction at any merchant that accepts cashless payments at the ACL festival.

Having attended the festival for nearly a decade, I highly recommend downloading the latest version of the ACL Music Festival app to assist with your planning.

Get your schedule in order, lace up your dancing shoes (or boots), and I look forward to seeing you at Zilker Park soon.