Going to events like concerts, plays, and sporting events is a fun way to spend time with friends and family. When buying tickets for these events, you’ll usually have the option to purchase them online ahead of time or at the venue’s box office on the day of the event. This leads many people to wonder – do you have to pay extra fees if you buy tickets at the box office? The short answer is sometimes. While box offices were traditionally fee-free, many have started charging convenience fees in recent years to offset the costs of running the box office and processing transactions. However, the exact fees charged can vary significantly depending on the venue, event, and payment method.
Convenience fees at the box office
In the past, box offices did not charge any additional fees beyond the base ticket price. The convenience of skipping lines and fees was seen as a major perk of buying tickets online or over the phone through an external ticketing service. However, as online and phone ticket sales have grown more popular, box offices have looked for ways to offset the costs associated with operating a physical ticket counter. This has led many box offices to begin charging convenience fees to customers who purchase tickets in person. These fees help cover expenses like staffing, equipment, and maintenance of the box office. While frustrating to some customers, convenience fees are becoming an increasingly common reality whether you choose to buy tickets online, over the phone, or in person at the box office.
When are box office fees charged?
Box office fees are not universally applied. Whether or not you will be charged an extra fee for buying at the box office depends on several factors:
The venue
Some venues have a strict no fee policy at their box offices. This is especially common at smaller, independent venues that want to encourage in-person sales. Other venues charge fees on all box office transactions, just like they do for online and phone sales. Larger chains and corporate-owned venues are more likely to charge universal fees.
The event
Fees can vary depending on the specific concert, play, team, etc that you are going to see. Big name acts and teams are more likely to get away with tacking on extra fees regardless of purchase method. Meanwhile, lesser known events may decide to waive box office fees to encourage ticket sales.
Payment method
Paying with cash or check at the box office sometimes allows you to avoid the fees that would be charged for credit/debit card purchases. The box office has lower processing costs for cash payments, so they may pass on that savings to customers. However, cash and check options are becoming rarer these days.
Average box office convenience fees
When box office fees are charged, they tend to range from $3-$15 per ticket depending on the factors above. Here are some examples of average box office convenience fees:
Venue / Event Type | Average Box Office Fee Per Ticket |
---|---|
Local theater | $3 |
NBA game | $5 |
Broadway musical | $8 |
Music festival | $12 |
NFL game | $15 |
Of course, fees can be higher or lower than these averages based on specific circumstances. The range demonstrates how box office fees can vary widely depending on the venue and event.
Pros and cons of buying tickets at the box office
Given the prevalence of box office fees these days, is it still worth buying tickets in person? Here are some potential pros and cons to consider:
Pros
- Avoid shipping fees – Online purchases often charge shipping/delivery fees.
- Physical tickets – Some people prefer having a printed ticket stub over a digital ticket.
- Buy last minute – The box office may have tickets on sale after online sales end.
- Personal service – Box office staff can provide info and recommendations that websites cannot.
- Avoid sell outs – Popular events can sell out online quickly.
Cons
- Convenience fees – As described, box office fees can add a significant cost.
- Long lines – Box office lines can be very long leading up to showtime.
- Limited hours – Box offices may only be open for limited hours each day.
- Less selection – The best tickets may be already sold online.
- Cash only – Some box offices do not accept credit/debit cards.
Whether box office purchase makes sense depends on your personal preferences and situation. The convenience fees are an annoying reality, but may be worth it for hard-to-get events or the ability to buy last minute tickets.
Tips for avoiding box office fees
If possible, here are some tips for dodging those pesky box office fees:
- Check venue website – Some still maintain no fee box office policies.
- Call ahead – Ask what payments are accepted and if fees apply.
- Pay with cash – This can sometimes help you avoid credit/debit fees.
- Buy season tickets – Some venues waive fees on season ticket packages.
- Look for discounts – Fees may be waived for students, military, groups, etc.
- Buy fan club presales – Artists sometimes do special presales for their fan clubs.
Following some of these tips could potentially save you $10, $20, or even more on every box office transaction. Over the course of a concert season or theater subscription, those savings can really add up.
The future of box office fees
Convenience fees are an unfortunate growing reality at box offices, with no signs of slowing down. Venues rely heavily on the extra revenue that fees generate. With paperless ticketing and online access gaining popularity, expect box office fees to become even more commonplace as a way to offset declining in-person sales. Fans dislike the fees, but have ultimately been willing to pay them for the convenience that events provide. Unless consumer sentiment seriously shifts, box office fees are likely here to stay for the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
Box office convenience fees used to be rare, but have expanded in recent years as online and phone sales dominate. While every venue approaches fees differently, most now charge an extra $3-$15 per ticket at the box office. These fees help venues cover the costs of staffing and operating physical box offices. Customers find the fees annoying, but often worthwhile for hard-to-get tickets or last minute purchases. With some work, discounts can sometimes be found to avoid the fees. But on the whole, box office convenience fees are becoming an accepted reality and likely to increase in the future rather than go away.