Using a mobile ticket to get into events, travel, or access services has become very common in recent years. Mobile tickets provide a convenient digital option without having to print paper tickets. While mobile tickets make things quick and easy, there are some key steps to using them properly so you have no issues getting in.
What is a Mobile Ticket?
A mobile ticket is a digital ticket sent to your smartphone that can be scanned for entry into events, transportation services, and more. Mobile tickets contain a unique barcode or QR code that works just like a paper ticket. Rather than carrying around a printed ticket, you simply access the mobile ticket on your phone when needed.
Mobile tickets are commonly used for:
- Concerts, festivals, and sporting events
- Air travel and rail transportation
- Movie theaters
- City public transportation
Venues and event providers like mobile ticketing because it reduces costs of printing and mailing physical tickets. Mobile tickets also make it easy to transfer tickets electronically to friends or sell tickets online.
Benefits of Mobile Tickets
There are many benefits to using mobile tickets instead of paper tickets:
- Convenience – Tickets are delivered digitally and accessible on your phone at all times.
- Efficiency – Mobile tickets reduce queues and speed up entry processes by enabling electronic scanning.
- Better for the environment – Paper ticket waste is eliminated.
- Easier to share or re-sell – Tickets can be transferred digitally rather than meeting up for a physical exchange.
- Cost effective – Venues save money on printing and mailing.
- Less risk of lost tickets – Tickets are stored on your phone rather than on paper.
How Do Mobile Tickets Work?
Mobile tickets work by delivering a digital barcode or QR code to your smartphone that can be scanned electronically at the event. When you purchase tickets, the seller will either email you the mobile tickets or have you access them through an app. The digital barcode is then displayed on your phone screen and scanned using an optical reader or QR scanner when you arrive at the venue. This immediately validates and records your ticket purchase just like a paper ticket.
Some key points about how mobile tickets work:
- Each mobile ticket has its own unique barcode that is generated when purchased.
- The barcode is cryptographically secure and cannot be duplicated or faked.
- The mobile ticket displays the barcode along with your name, seat number, event details, etc.
- Optical scanners at the venue read the barcode on your screen to validate your ticket and let you in.
- Some venues also scan your ID or have staff visually inspect each ticket.
- Once scanned, the mobile ticket is considered void just like a paper ticket.
Purchasing Mobile Tickets
There are a few common ways you may purchase mobile tickets for an event or service:
- Directly from the venue’s website – Many venues like concert halls will have their own ticketing website where you can purchase and have tickets delivered to your phone.
- Third-party ticket sellers – Large ticket sellers like Ticketmaster or StubHub allow you to buy tickets online and get mobile tickets.
- Official event apps – Major events may have a dedicated app for purchasing e-tickets and storing them.
- Airlines and transportation apps – Airlines like Delta and British Airways have apps to book flights and access mobile boarding passes.
- Membership apps – Venues you are a member at like museums may provide mobile tickets through their membership app.
The key is when purchasing tickets online, look for the “mobile ticket” option during checkout. You’ll need to provide your email address or mobile number to have tickets delivered electronically versus mailed.
Transferring or Selling Mobile Tickets
One great benefit of mobile tickets is how easy they make transferring or re-selling tickets. There are a couple ways to go about it:
- Transferring tickets – Many ticketing apps and sites allow you to electronically transfer tickets to someone else’s email or account. This allows you to securely and instantly send tickets to friends or family.
- Re-selling sites – You can re-sell mobile tickets online via reputable ticket marketplaces. You simply list the ticket and transfer it to the buyer’s account after purchase.
- Screenshots – For individual transfers, you can screenshot your mobile ticket’s barcode and send the image to the recipient. They will then display the image on their phone to be scanned.
When re-selling or gifting mobile tickets, it’s important the original owner’s account no longer has access. The tickets should be electronically transferred whenever possible for security.
Displaying Your Mobile Ticket
When you arrive at an event, you’ll need to have your mobile ticket ready to display. Here are some tips:
- Make sure your phone is charged enough and the brightness turned up so the barcode image is clear.
- Open your ticketing app or email attachment that contains the mobile ticket so it’s easily accessible.
- Have the mobile ticket displayed on your screen for scanning as you approach staff.
- Avoid having other windows or apps open that obstruct the barcode image.
- Turn up the brightness if you are outdoors and there is glare on the screen.
- Have a printed or physical backup available in case mobile access fails.
Also be ready to show identification that matches the ticket holder name for verification. Know where your barcode is located on the screen for easy scanning access.
Troubleshooting Mobile Ticket Issues
Despite how convenient mobile ticketing is, you may occasionally run into issues that prevent you from accessing or displaying your ticket. Here is how to troubleshoot common problems:
Issue | Solution |
---|---|
Can’t find the ticket email or link | Check your spam folder in case the email was filtered there. Search your inbox for any variation of the venue or seller name. If you can’t find it, contact the seller immediately for a resend. |
App won’t load ticket | Try force quitting and restarting the app. Update to the latest app version. If the issue persists, reach out to customer support on the app. |
Lost cell signal or battery died | Consider printing a backup ticket or capturing a screenshot just in case. Arrive early enough to resolve these issues before doors open. |
Barcode isn’t scanning properly | Check that the image is clear and brightness turned up. Try moving the phone around or slightly farther from the scanner. Request staff scan manually. |
Act quickly if you have any mobile ticket troubles and alert staff. They should be able to contact the ticket seller to verify your purchase another way. Be sure to arrive with enough time just in case.
Tips for Using Mobile Tickets
Follow these tips whenever you access and present mobile tickets:
- Claim tickets as soon as possible – Claim mobile tickets right after purchasing by downloading to your phone. This avoids any last minute access issues.
- Save the ticket to your home screen – Add ticket app shortcuts or bookmarks to your phone home screen for instant access.
- Screenshot ticket barcodes – Take screenshots of each ticket’s unique barcode in case you lose digital access.
- Check-in early – Give yourself extra time in case you need to troubleshoot mobile ticket problems.
- Bring a printed backup – Print physical tickets as a backup in case your phone has issues.
- Turn off auto screen lock – Keep your screen from auto locking as you approach ticket scanning.
- Protect ticket barcodes – Avoid sharing barcodes publicly to prevent others from stealing and using.
The Future of Mobile Ticketing
Mobile ticketing has grown exponentially over the past decade. The convenience has proven popular with consumers while also helping venues reduce overhead costs. According to research, the mobile ticketing market is expected to continue growing at over 15% annually over the next 5 years.
Here are some trends expected with the future of mobile event tickets:
- Wider adoption across live events, transportation, and tourism.
- Integration of tickets into digital wallets on phones.
- Increased security features like identity verification and blockchain.
- More dynamic ticket transferring capabilities.
- AI to provide personalized recommendations and experiences.
- 5G implementation for faster ticket management.
- Beacon technology integration to detect ticket holder locations.
As mobile technology improves, so will mobile ticketing capabilities. Consumers can expect an even more streamlined experience accessing and managing tickets directly from smartphones.
Conclusion
Mobile ticketing provides a convenient digital alternative to traditional paper ticketing. With more events, venues, and services adopting mobile tickets, it’s important to understand how to properly access and use them. Being prepared with best practices for displaying, troubleshooting, and transferring mobile tickets ensures you can get through the door without any hiccups. As mobile technology evolves, mobile ticketing will only become faster and more ubiquitous across all industries.