Back in the 1970s, ticket buyers commonly paid a service charge of $0.50 to $0.75 per ticket to attend an event, according to the Hustle. But these days, you can expect to pay considerably higher fees than that when you buy concert tickets through a service like Ticketmaster. And in some cases, the amount you spend on fees can be comparable to the cost of your ticket itself.
If you find that infuriating, you're not alone. But a big part of the problem is that Ticketmaster in particular, which seems to have no problem imposing high fees, dominates the online ticket-selling market. The Hustle reports that between 70% to 80% of major U.S. venues have exclusive contracts with Ticketmaster. That gives it plenty of leeway to charge whatever it wants.
If you're tired of being hit with ridiculously high fees every time you attend a concert, you should know there may be alternatives to paying them. Here are some you can look at.
1. Use a credit card with great perks to offset higher fees
Your credit card probably won't get you out of paying fees for online ticket purchases. But in some cases, using a specific card at a specific venue might result in a discounted ticket price, which could offset the fees you're charged. At New York's Madison Square Garden, Chase cardholders, for example, sometimes get perks like preferred seating and discounts on tickets.
Also, some credit cards just plain offer great rewards programs. So if you're able to score extra cash back on a ticket purchase, it could help make up for a higher fee you're forced to pay.
2. Buy your tickets at the box office
Many venues have a good old-fashioned box office you can line up at to buy tickets when they go on sale. If you buy your tickets at the venue hosting a given show, you generally won't face fees -- or at least not the same exorbitant ones Ticketmaster is known for.
Of course, this won't work in every situation. If tickets to a show you want to see go on sale at 10 a.m. and you're required to be at your desk at work at that time, then your best and only option may be to sneak onto Ticketmaster and attempt to score some tickets online. But if you're buying tickets to an event that isn't going to sell out within an hour, and one with general admission so you don't have to worry about seating, then heading over to the box office could be a real money-saving move.
3. Buy your tickets from a seller directly
Sometimes, people buy concert tickets for personal use only to not be able to attend the shows they were hoping to. When this happens, they'll often attempt to sell their tickets using sites like StubHub which, like Ticketmaster, can impose very high fees.
But sometimes, a seller will first try to unload their tickets via social media. So if there's a local show you're looking to attend, it could pay to check your town's Facebook page and see if anyone is selling tickets for it fee-free.
It's really a shame that the cost of attending a concert has gotten to be so expensive due to the fees involved. But if you're willing to make the effort, you might manage to find ways to avoid those fees -- and open the door to seeing more of the acts you love.
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FAQs
A great way to avoid fees, and if you can get good seats, is to bypass Ticketmaster and go straight to the box office. Check out Groupon. This is great for some sporting events and select concerts. Especially for shows that are less than two months away.
Is there a way to buy concert tickets without fees? ›
A great way to avoid fees, and if you can get good seats, is to bypass Ticketmaster and go straight to the box office. Check out Groupon. This is great for some sporting events and select concerts. Especially for shows that are less than two months away.
Who has the lowest fees for concert tickets? ›
10 event ticketing platforms with the lowest fees [2024]
- TicketSource.
- Showpass.
- Eventzilla.
- Ticket Tailor.
- Tix.
- TicketSpice.
- Yapsody.
- RegFox.
Facility Charge: Venues use this fee to cover the costs of hosting live events, including staffing, insurance, and paying suppliers.
How to avoid ticket fees to sports? ›
If you're able to go to the venue to buy tickets, you'll be able to avoid the majority of all the ticket service fees which are added on by the online ticket sellers such as the “convenience fee,” the “delivery fee,” or of course, the “ticket service fee.”
Does StubHub charge fees? ›
Welcome to StubHub Support
When they sell, we collect a sell fee. This may change over time depending on ticket supply and ticket marketing costs. StubHub's fees help us create a safe, global ticket marketplace. As long as you deliver your tickets as promised and on time, this is the only StubHub fee you'll ever pay.
Does SeatGeek have fees? ›
When you buy tickets on SeatGeek, you will be charged service and delivery fees which can vary based on the event and the type of ticket that you're receiving. SeatGeek's fees are in a range commensurate with other ticket market participants' fees, and are driven by the same supply and demand factors.
How to not pay Ticketmaster fees? ›
Many concert-goers have to buy tickets through Ticketmaster, which is known for its high fees. You can reduce those fees by purchasing tickets from the box office when feasible and buying tickets from a seller directly.
Which is better, StubHub or Ticketmaster? ›
In theory, both portals are similar. StubHub has a sketchy customer service, but its fees are crystal clear and it is easy to use. TicketMaster has merged with Live Nation, so in theory, it should have a much higher selection of tickets. Its fees, however, tend to be slightly bigger.
What ticket app has no fees? ›
TickPick is the most simple and affordable app to purchase tickets to all of your favorite live events, including sports, concerts, and theater. We have the same seats as our largest competitor - but we don't add services fees - so our prices are 10% cheaper. 100% BuyerTrust Guarantee.
Service charges are added to the face value of concert tickets because two important players in the concert ecosystem – venues and primary ticketing companies – get little or nothing out of the revenues derived from the ticket's face value.
What is the ticketing fee? ›
Booking fees (sometimes called outside fees or simply ticketing fees) are charged on top of the face value of a ticket. For example if the face value of the ticket is $50, the booking fee might be $3 for a total of $53 per ticket.
Are fee-free tickets legit? ›
All tickets are legitimate tickets, valid for entry.
All the tickets sold on FeeFreeTicket are guaranteed to be authentic tickets valid for entry to the event concerned. Customers of FeeFreeTicket.com should contact their ticket seller ASAP if there is any problem using their tickets at the venue.
What is the cheapest way to buy concert tickets? ›
Best for cheaper tickets: eBay
eBay is known for selling items from purses and shoes, to technology and jewelry, but it's also a great place to find tickets.
Do concert tickets get cheaper on Day of? ›
After studying the price and demand of thousands of concert tickets, the study found that prices were 33 percent lower than average if you purchase concert tickets on the day of the concert; buying them a day before the event saved concert-goers 27 percent of the average cost of tickets.
Do tickets on StubHub get cheaper? ›
Buying last-minute tickets could land you a great deal. Sellers often list tickets on StubHub weeks or months ahead of a given event. But as those events near, they may come down in price in the absence of having a buyer. And so if you wait until you're within a few days of a given event, you might snag a great deal.
Is there a cheaper way than Ticketmaster? ›
Event planners looking for a Ticketmaster alternatives frequently choose Eventdex due to its user-friendly interface, customizable features, and reasonable pricing. These features make Eventdex a versatile and cost-effective alternative to Ticketmaster for event organizers.
Why are Ticketmaster fees so high? ›
The Truth About Fees. The argument that Ticketmaster is responsible for high prices is really about service charges. The practice in the U.S. for decades has been to break down the cost of admission into a “face value” sum and one or more fees added to face value.
Do Vivid Seats prices include fees? ›
Are there additional fees? How are fees determined? In addition to the listed price per ticket, a service charge and delivery charge are applied to every order.
