Online ticket queues have become increasingly common as more events and attractions move to digital ticketing. Rather than standing in a long physical line, customers can now join a virtual queue online and wait for their turn to purchase tickets from wherever they may be. This allows for a more efficient and user-friendly ticketing experience.
What is an online ticket queue?
An online ticket queue is a digital waiting line that customers join when trying to purchase tickets for an event or attraction. Just like waiting in line at a physical box office, customers are given a place in the virtual queue. They then wait for their turn to access the ticketing website and complete their purchase.
Online queues help control the flow of traffic to the ticketing website. If all customers tried to access the site at the exact same time, the servers would become overloaded and crash. The queue meters traffic and only allows in a certain number of users at once. This keeps the site running smoothly.
How does joining an online queue work?
Joining an online ticket queue is fairly simple for customers. Here are the basic steps:
- The customer goes to the event or attraction’s website when tickets are scheduled to go on sale.
- They click the link or button to join the ticket queue.
- The customer is assigned a place in line based on time of entry and demand.
- They wait in the virtual queue for their turn to access the ticketing site.
- When it’s their turn, the customer will be redirected to the ticketing website automatically.
- The customer can then view available tickets and pricing and complete their desired ticket purchase.
Some key things to note about joining a queue:
- Customers do not need to stay on the website or refresh the page while waiting in line. They will receive an email notification when it’s their turn.
- Queue position may change dynamically based on real-time demand. Slots are essentially reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
- There is no guarantee of ticket availability when it’s your turn. Tickets can sell out while you are waiting.
What information is required to join an online queue?
Customers typically need to provide some basic information to get in an online ticket queue. This allows the queue to run smoothly and ensure only qualified customers are in line.
Information required may include:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Number of tickets interested in purchasing
In some cases, additional details like mailing address or credit card may be required as well. This streamlines the checkout process when it’s the customer’s turn to purchase.
Providing this information upfront ensures tickets go to real customers and allows them to seamlessly complete purchases. It weeds out bots, scalpers, and other unauthorized users from getting in line.
How are queue positions assigned?
Online queue positions are typically assigned on a first-come, first-served basis as customers join the line. However, demand often fluctuates, so queue positions may be dynamically updated in real-time. Here are some key factors in queue position assignment:
- Time of join – Earlier join times get priority. The first customers in line get the front spots.
- Demand forecasts – The system predicts demand spikes and throttles join times accordingly. Joining at lower demand gets better spots.
- Number of tickets – Customers requesting more tickets may get further back than those only needing 1 or 2.
- Requeues – Customers who don’t complete purchases may get sent to the back upon rejoining.
Optimally, queue position is based on both join time and predicted demand. This provides the fairest and most efficient process for customers and ticket sellers.
Can you improve your place in the queue?
Generally, customers cannot manually change their assigned spot in an online ticket queue once joined. Positions are automatically controlled by the queuing system. However, there are a couple potential options:
- Joining the queue again may reassign you a better position if demand has lowered.
- Some queues have a priority access option for an additional fee. This can bump you up higher in line.
Otherwise, customers have to wait for the email notification of when it’s their turn. Trying to bypass the queue or continually rejoining may get you flagged or banned entirely.
What happens if you lose your connection?
One concern with online queues is temporarily losing your internet connection and getting booted from line. Fortunately, most queue systems today are designed to handle this by saving and holding your spot.
After reconnecting, you can log back in and regain your place. The queue recognizes you already joined previously. You may need to re-enter some information for verification.
Some queue systems will text you if connectivity is lost to provide next steps. You may be instructed to rejoin as a new customer if positions shifted significantly during the outage.
Can multiple customers join together?
For high demand events, customers often want to coordinate with family and friends to ensure they sit together. Online ticketing queues allow for grouped purchases in most cases.
There are a couple ways groups can join queues together:
- Select a group leader who joins the queue and indicates total tickets needed for the group. The leader completes the full purchase when it’s turn.
- Each member joins the queue individually and coordinates positioning through text or chat. They purchase designated tickets when it’s their respective turns.
Group options vary based on the specific queue system. Some may allow members to merge reservations to sit together. Review policies and instructions before joining for best group coordination.
How does the queue system work on the backend?
Behind the scenes, online ticket queues rely on smart technology to efficiently manage customer flow. Key technical components include:
- Virtual waiting room – Software that mimics a physical queue and assigns customer positions.
- Demand forecasting – Algorithms that predict traffic spikes and adjust queue assignments accordingly.
- Time slot meters – Only allows a set number of customers to proceed at a time, keeping website load balanced.
- Auto-notifications – Email and texts tell customers when it’s their turn.
- Load balancers – Distribute traffic across servers and data centers to prevent overload.
These systems are typically cloud-based and scalable to handle tournaments of customers. Queue speed and position adjustments happen in real-time behind the scenes.
What are the benefits of using an online queue?
Online ticket queues provide several notable benefits for both customers and businesses:
- Convenience – Customers can wait anywhere online and go about their day.
- Efficiency – Automated queues are much faster than physical lines.
- Fairness – First come, first served with real-time optimization.
- Control – Staggered customer flow prevents website crashes.
- Data – Queue analytics provide customer demand insights.
The bottom line is online queues allow customers easy, stress-free access to high demand tickets while protecting ticketing websites.
What are some examples of online ticket queues?
You may encounter online ticket queues when purchasing tickets for:
- Concerts – For major artists like Beyonce or Taylor Swift.
- Sports – Playoff and championship game tickets.
- Theater – Hit Broadway and West End musicals and plays.
- Festivals – SXSW, Coachella, etc.
- Conventions – Comic-Con, E3, etc.
- Theme Parks – Disneyland, Universal Studios.
Any high demand event that needs to manage heavy traffic spikes employs some type of online queue system for ticket sales.
How is online queuing evolving going forward?
Online queues are becoming more sophisticated and user-friendly. Key evolutions include:
- Improved queue position forecasting, using ML algorithms to better estimate wait times.
- More options for priority access, like paid short-pass lines.
- Group coordination features for joining with friends.
- Integration with digital wallets for checkout.
- Virtual queue rewards programs, similar to airline frequent flier points.
As virtual queues handle more customer traffic, they will leverage more data analytics to optimize operations. Customer experience and convenience will be top priorities.
Conclusion
Online ticket queues utilize smart technology to efficiently manage customer demand for high profile events and attractions. By metering traffic and staggering access, they create an orderly and stress-free way for fans to purchase tickets. Moving forward, these virtual waiting rooms will become even more sophisticated and user-focused.