Getting a military discount on concert tickets can help active duty service members, veterans, and their families save money on seeing their favorite musicians and bands perform live. There are a few different ways military members can get a discount on concert tickets if the venue or promoter offers one.
Check if the venue offers a military discount
The easiest way to get a military discount on concert tickets is to check if the venue or promoter running the event provides one. Many major concert venues like amphitheaters, arenas, and stadiums offer some type of military discount on tickets. This could be a percentage discount like 10-20% off, a fixed dollar amount discount like $5-10 off each ticket, or a special military ticket price.
Venues like Live Nation, AEG, and Ticketmaster will often show military discount details on their websites when browsing shows and purchasing tickets. The military discount is usually applied by entering a promo code during checkout or verifying military status through ID.me or SheerID. Some venues allow military members to purchase tickets in person at the box office to get the discount.
Look for military discount ticket promotions
In addition to venue military discounts, promoters will also run special military ticket promotions for certain concerts and festivals. This could be a concert series that offers military discounts on all shows or a single big concert like Metallica or Garth Brooks.
Promoters like Live Nation and AEG have offered military ticket discounts for major summer concert festivals like Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and Bonnaroo in the past. Often a limited number of military tickets are available for these events. Keep an eye out for military concert promotions announced on social media or email newsletters from promoters and ticketing companies.
Get tickets through Vet Tix
Vet Tix is a nonprofit that receives free and discounted event tickets from teams, venues, promoters, and other partners to share with veterans and active duty service members. Concert tickets are frequently available from Vet Tix.
After verifying military status, members can request tickets to various events around the country for free or at a steep discount. Vet Tix members often get access to high demand concert tickets before the general public. The inventory comes from venues looking to fill empty seats and show appreciation for the military community.
Seek out other military discounts
Beyond the concert venue and promoters themselves, look for military discounts offered by ticketing partners like Ticketmaster or AXS. Ticketing platforms will sometimes run military appreciation discounts that can be applied to concert tickets across their network.
Entertainment deal sites like Veterans Advantage also offer military discounts on tickets for concert and other live entertainment events. The discounts may vary by show and are based on inventory provided to Veterans Advantage from partners.
Use deal sites and resale tickets
Military members can use general discount ticket sites and resale marketplaces to try finding deals on concert tickets. Sites like Groupon and LivingSocial may offer discounted tickets to select concerts. Resale sites like Stubhub are also an option for finding cheap concert tickets, especially last minute.
While typically not an advertised military discount, using discount code offers or bidding on tickets on resale sites is a tactic for finding concert tickets under face value. Just make sure to compare to the box office price when factoring in fees.
Organize group orders
Getting a group of military members together to buy tickets can help maximize savings. Venues will sometimes offer a discount for group orders over a certain size. By organizing a group order, the military discount can then be applied on top of the group discount for additional savings.
This tactic works best for very popular concerts where it’s easy to get enough people together. Use social media, unit outreach, or veteran organizations to build a group. After purchasing the tickets together, they can be distributed accordingly.
Look for nonprofit military support
Nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting the military and veteran community will sometimes receive batches of concert tickets to distribute. These are donated by artists, teams, venues, and promoters looking to give back.
Organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and Operation Homefront may have concert ticket offers available for wounded warriors to apply for. concerts for free or at a discounted rate.
Contact the box office
If a concert venue does not advertise a military discount, it can still be worth reaching out to their box office. Some venues provide military discounts on a case-by-case basis at the box office even if they don’t promote it widely. This may be dependent on availability for a given show.
Calling the box office directly allows military members to explain their situation and politely ask if there are any military discounts or specials available. Being polite and flexible if they say no still makes the attempt worthwhile.
Look for discounts on additional costs
Beyond just the concert tickets, military members can look for discounts on additional costs like fees and parking. Some ticketing sites waive their service fees for military orders. Venues also sometimes provide discounted parking or other perks for those with military IDs.
Taking advantage of military discounts on the additional costs, even if small discounts, can lead to extra savings on the overall expense. Saving $5-10 on fees, parking, and processing across multiple tickets still adds up.
Get discount hotel rates
For concerts that require overnight travel, military members can look into hotels that provide military discounts. These discounted hotel rates for service members can help lower the overall cost of attending a concert that involves flights, hotels, transportation, and other expenses.
IHG, Hilton, and Marriott are major hotel chains providing discounts of 5-15% off the best available rate for military members. Local hotels near the concert venue may also offer military rates.
Stack savings from military travel discounts
Combining multiple military travel discounts can maximize savings for concerts requiring air travel and hotels. Military airfare discounts from United, Delta, American and others can make flights more affordable. Rental car companies like Avis, Budget, and Hertz also provide military discounts.
Taking advantage of military discounts on flights, hotels, cars, taxes, and fees in addition to the concert tickets themselves can lead to huge savings on travel packages. Getting the concert tickets at a discount is just the start.
Use military vacation packages
Some military discount travel sites like Veterans Holidays and Armed Forces Vacation Club offer vacation packages built around major concerts and music festivals. These can bundle discounted tickets along with accommodations, transportation, and extras.
Comparing costs of building a trip separately versus using a military vacation package is wise. For big concerts like Coachella or multi-day festivals, military vacation packages can offer an affordable all-in-one concert experience.
Book early for popular concerts
To take best advantage of military discounts on in-demand concert tickets requires planning ahead. Waiting until the last minute limits options for military pricing and discounts.
As soon as hot concert tickets go on sale, military members should look to purchase then using available discounts. Special military ticket allotments for big concerts often sell out very quickly.
Consider joining military associations
Joining military associations as a veteran or active duty service member can unlock discounts. Organizations like the American Legion, VFW, and AMVETS sometimes get batches of free or discounted tickets to concerts and events to distribute.
By getting involved in these associations, military members open up additional opportunities for saving on concert tickets and other entertainment options. Regular membership meetings highlight different discount ticket options as they become available.
Follow concert ticket discounts on social media
The best way to learn about military concert ticket discounts as soon as they are announced is by following relevant social media accounts. Venues, promoters, bands, ticketing companies, and veterans organizations will promote special military offers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
By turning on notifications and monitoring social media channels frequently, military members can try to take advantage of discounts early. Limited discount ticket allotments go away fast.
Consider location flexibility
Military members willing to be flexible on concert location can maximize opportunities for discounts. Looking at all the concert dates for a tour and comparing prices across cities can reveal big differences in military discount availability.
Some cities will offer bigger military discounts based on local venue policies. Traveling a little bit for a bigger discount can make sense for very popular bands and artists.
Have backup payment sources ready
Having multiple payment sources prepared increases the chance of getting discounted tickets especially for high demand concerts. Debit card, credit cards, PayPal, and other options should be ready to go.
For special presales and early military allotments, the entire transaction needs to go through quickly. Avoid any payment issues derailing the process and costing the opportunity.
Try fan club memberships
Big bands and artists often operate official fan clubs that provide access to presales, giveaways, and other perks like discounted tickets. Military members who are super fans can join these clubs and potentially gain access to military priced tickets.
Fan club ticket allotments tend to be limited, so active participation helps. But the discounts can be substantial, so well worth considering for devoted fans of particular musicians.
Fan Club Savings Examples
Band | Fan Club Name | Military Discount |
---|---|---|
Metallica | Fifth Member Fan Club | 10% off tickets |
Jimmy Buffett | Parrothead Club | $20 off tickets |
Elton John | Rocket Club | Pre-sale access |
Team up with military ticket groups
Joining larger military groups can provide access to discounted tickets to concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment. Larger pools of buying power unlock group discounts and special allotments.
Examples of these groups include Vet Tix, GovX, ID.me, and SheerID. Membership is free for verified military members and opens up ongoing ticket discount opportunities.
Consider season ticket packages
Venues like amphitheaters and casinos that host a steady lineup of concerts during spring and summer will offer season ticket packages. These bundle tickets to multiple shows at a discount.
Military members can buy season tickets at a reduced price as part of these venue packages. The savings per concert add up over a full season of shows.
Attend complimentary concerts and festivals
Throughout the year, free concerts are held specifically for military members, veterans, and their families. These are usually organized by nonprofits, veterans services groups, and military associations.
Outdoor summer concert series on military bases and performance partnerships like VetTix Tribute provide complimentary concert options. Attending these free shows helps save on paying for concert tickets.
Volunteer at concerts for free experience
Military members and veterans can volunteer at concerts in exchange for free event admission. Volunteer shifts are needed at parking, entry gates, guest services, and cleanup.
By providing a few hours of service, veterans and military volunteers earn their way into the concert for free after their shift. Organizations like Veterans Tickets Foundation facilitate these opportunities.
Conclusion
Military members and veterans have many great options for getting discounts on concert tickets. Venues, promoters, ticketing companies, travel providers, and veterans services groups all offer deals.
Being proactive in seeking out the military pricing as early as possible is key to success. Popular shows that are in high demand will require acting fast to secure the military discounted tickets.
With so many potential avenues for concert ticket discounts, persistence and creativity in putting together the best deals pays off. Stack savings from multiple sources for the biggest military discounts.