Convenience fees, also known as service fees, are extra charges added to the base price of tickets for concerts, sporting events, and other live entertainment events. These fees go to the ticket seller to cover their costs for providing ticket purchasing services online or over the phone. Convenience fees often run $5-20 per ticket and can add a significant amount to your overall ticket buying costs.
Luckily, there are several ways to get around paying convenience fees when buying tickets. Here are some tips to avoid getting hit with annoying per ticket fees.
Buy Directly from the Venue Box Office
One of the best ways to avoid convenience fees is to purchase tickets directly from the venue’s box office, either in person or over the phone. Since box offices don’t need to recoup costs for online ticket services, they typically don’t charge extra fees.
Buying direct gives you a few other perks too. You can often select your exact seat location when buying direct, rather than getting whatever seats a third party ticket seller assigns you. Going direct also eliminates the risk of getting scammed, since you’re dealing with the official source.
Just keep in mind that box office hours are usually limited, so you may need to plan your purchase in advance. Popular shows will sell out the box office allotment well before the event date.
Pros of Buying Direct
- No convenience fees
- Select your exact seats
- Eliminates risk of scams
Cons of Buying Direct
- Limited box office hours
- Tickets may sell out faster
Use Presale Codes
Many concerts and live events offer special presale opportunities to purchase tickets before the general public on-sale. Presales are usually available by signing up for the artist’s fan club or newsletter.
Presale ticket allotments are limited, but they can be a great way to score seats before they sell out. And since you’re buying directly from the primary ticket seller, no convenience fees are charged during presales.
Here are some tips for taking advantage of presale ticket opportunities:
- Sign up for fan clubs and email lists to get presale codes
- Follow artists and venues on social media for presale announcements
- Check the artist’s website ahead of the tour on-sale for presale details
- Search for the presale code on Google and social media
- Join fan forums to find presale passwords
Pros of Presales
- No convenience fees
- Get tickets before public on-sale
- Better seat selection
Cons of Presales
- Limited ticket allotment
- Need presale code to buy
- Tickets still sell out fast
Use Ticket Promo Codes
If you don’t score tickets during a presale, another option is to find a ticket promo code to waive convenience fees. Many major ticket sellers like Ticketmaster offer special promo codes that eliminate service charges.
You can typically find these fee-waiving promo codes by:
- Searching online for the ticket seller + “promo code”
- Checking the ticket seller’s social media and email promotions
- Looking on deal sites like RetailMeNot and Groupon
- Using a credit card with special offers like Citi or Chase
- Joining the ticket seller’s free rewards program
The downside is that these promo codes are usually only valid for a limited time. You’ll need to hunt around for the latest ones before you buy.
Pros of Promo Codes
- Eliminate convenience fees
- Can get access to codes for free
- Don’t need presale access to use
Cons of Promo Codes
- Only works on some sites
- Codes expire frequently
- May only waive some fees
Use a Ticketing App
Using a mobile ticketing app is another easy way to avoid fees when buying event tickets. Apps like Gametime, TickPick, and ScoreBig build the service fees into the ticket price upfront instead of tacking them on at checkout.
Ticketing apps also provide a seamless buying experience right from your phone. Just install the app, browse upcoming events in your area, and buy seats with minimal clicks and no hidden charges added later.
Give one of these fee-free ticketing apps a try for your next concert or game:
App | Features |
---|---|
Gametime | Last-minute deals on sports, concerts, theater |
TickPick | No service fees, all-in pricing |
ScoreBig | Up to 60% off sporting events and concerts |
Pros of Ticketing Apps
- No hidden fees
- Easy and quick mobile experience
- Good last-minute deals
Cons of Ticketing Apps
- More limited event selection
- Fewer site features/sorting options
- Need smartphone to use
Get Refundable Tickets
If you want the flexibility of buying from a major ticket site like Ticketmaster, one trick is to specifically buy refundable tickets. These tickets have a pricier “Official Platinum” designation but allow you to get a full refund, including convenience fees.
Here’s how it works:
- Purchase Official Platinum tickets from Ticketmaster, StubHub, VividSeats, etc.
- The tickets will cost more upfront but have minimal fees.
- If you later find a better deal, request a refund within the refund period.
- You’ll get back the entire cost, including the convenience fees.
- Take that refund and buy the cheaper tickets you found instead.
Just make sure to read the fine print on the refund policy to understand the eligibility window for getting your money back.
Pros of Refundable Tickets
- Get convenience fees back if you refund
- Buy from major sites and still avoid fees
- Lock in tickets while you look for better deals
Cons of Refundable Tickets
- Cost more upfront
- Refund window may be short
- No guarantee cheaper tickets will be available
Wait Until Last Minute
As counterintuitive as it sounds, waiting until the last minute to buy tickets can help you avoid fees. Sites like StubHub and VividSeats let ticket resellers unload their seats at big discounts as game time approaches.
Scoring last-minute deals takes some patience and planning. But if you’re flexible on seat location and timing, it can save you big on convenience fees and ticket prices.
Follow these tips for snagging last-minute deals:
- Track ticket listings the week of the event to spot price drops
- Filter by “Best Value” to see cheapest seats left
- Aim to buy 6-12 hours before start time when prices drop most
- Sit in upper decks or end zones to find budget seats
- Use mobile apps for on-the-go deals as game time nears
Pros of Last-Minute Buying
- Avoid fees on resale sites
- Get big discounts on tickets
- Less competition from other buyers
Cons of Last-Minute Buying
- Cutting it close on getting tickets
- Fewer seat location options
- Risk of missing out altogether
Conclusion
From buying direct to using mobile apps, there are many avenues for avoiding increasingly common ticket convenience fees.
A little planning and deal hunting goes a long way. Often the best approach is to mix and match strategies, like checking promo codes after buying Official Platinum refundable seats for example.
While fees will likely never disappear completely, fans have more power than ever to find fee-free and discounted tickets. Do your research and don’t be afraid to wait for the best offer for your budget.
With flexibility and smart strategies, you can enjoy concerts, games, and shows without getting gouged by convenience fees.