Seven Ways to Get Cheaper Event Tickets
During a recent attempt to buy tickets to see a comedian perform at a local arena, I was shocked that the fee charged was almost the same as the cost of the ticket itself. The fees Ticketmaster charges have become a well-known disappointment, but as someone who once covered cultural events, I’m used to getting tickets for free. Paying out of pocket these days has led to the higher cost of attending live events, and I have new motivation to find a way to not give Ticketmaster a significant portion of my money.
Here are some ways to reduce ticket fees and, in some cases, avoid them altogether. They all have pros and cons, but in today’s economy, doing a little extra to save a few dollars can help keep more money in your pocket.
Visit the box office
One of the advantages of Ticketmaster was that there was no need to go to the box office. You can simply go to your local record store or department store, or eventually go online and buy a ticket for the big concerts that are happening in the city. Of course, then the fees were not so high. Now it’s a different story.
While traveling to the venue may be a hassle, at least you won’t have to pay some of the exorbitant fees that Ticketmaster adds. However, instead of being open every day, many venues only open their box office a few hours before the event, making the situation even more inconvenient, especially if you want to see a loud concert.
Join the fan club
If you’re willing to pay for a membership, many artists offer pre-sale tickets that are sometimes cheaper than those available to the general public. For example, Canadian rock band Nickelback offers an annual membership to their fan club for $33, which gives you the opportunity to purchase exclusive merchandise, a membership card, and early entry to concerts, as well as access to a select number of seats before they go on sale. . the general public. Of course, fan clubs can be a risky investment, but if you’re a true Nickelback fan, the benefits may outweigh the costs.
Use your credit card
If you use a Chase, Capital One, American Express or Citi credit card, you can access tickets before they go on sale to the general public. According to Forbes , in some cases, tickets may be cheaper because they are offered at a discount or you avoid dynamic pricing, which can cause ticket prices to rise as demand for events increases. However, keep in mind that this may also increase your credit card’s annual fees.
Head to Groupon
Tickets for some events are available in limited quantities on the same website where your parents got a discount on the hot air balloon ride they took last year. For example, lawn seats for The Queens of R&B Tour in Phoenix are 52% off the list price with no commission. (The only downside is being outdoors in Arizona in July.)
Place a bid on multiple tickets
Sites like theXchange and CashOrTrade.org offer the ability to bid on tickets, such as a hotel room, on Priceline.com or trade them for a small commission or, in the latter case, no commission. The first provides the buyer with a guarantee to avoid fraud, and its sellers must undergo a verification procedure. If fraud does occur, the site will fine the seller monetarily. If those websites don’t work for you, there’s always Facebook Marketplace, right?
Try TikPik
When TickPick launched, you could bid on event tickets. The company currently advertises that it sells to fans with “no hidden fees” and guarantees that if you find cheaper seats elsewhere, it will give you back 110% of the difference (in credit, of course). This is a good way to find cheap tickets to last-minute sporting events. However, according to TechCrunch , TickPick still makes money from commissions. They are just upfront about it instead of surprising you at checkout.
Please wait to receive your ticket on the day of the show
Venues often open up more seats for events on the day of the show. If you buy these tickets online, you will have to pay Ticketmaster their commission. However, in many cases the ticket price drops to a more reasonable amount to fill the seats, which may offset the costs imposed by the seller.