What is Fast Pass Live Nation?
Fast Pass Live Nation is a premium service offered by Live Nation that provides access to special fast pass lanes at concerts for quicker entrance into venues. For a fee, Fast Pass users can bypass long lines to enter shows faster. Some of the key benefits of Fast Pass include:
- Entering venues quicker through dedicated Fast Pass lanes.
- Access to priority entry when doors open.
- Early access to merch stands and bars.
- Exclusive pre-show lounge access at select amphitheaters.
Fast Pass availability varies by venue and show. The service needs to be purchased as an add-on to concert tickets through Ticketmaster, Live Nation’s ticketing platform. Prices typically range from $20-$60 per pass depending on the event. Fast Pass perks are non-transferrable and tied to the ticket holder.
Who is Fast Pass good for?
Fast Pass Live Nation appeals most to concert-goers who:
- Want to avoid standing in long lines before shows.
- Plan to arrive right when doors open.
- Want early access to merch and drinks.
- Seek a low-stress, hurried concert entrance.
- Don’t mind paying extra for convenience and perks.
Fans who arrive later or don’t mind waiting in regular lines may not find the service as useful. Additionally, people attending low-key events that don’t attract huge crowds likely won’t need Fast Pass. However, for sold-out arena shows and festivals where lines stretch for blocks, Fast Pass can provide huge time-savings.
What are the pros of using Fast Pass Live Nation?
Here are some of the major pros and perks of using Fast Pass Live Nation:
- Avoid long waits: With dedicated Fast Pass lanes, wait times are significantly reduced. At busy shows, standard queues can take over an hour.
- Less line stress: By skipping most of the line, there’s less standing around and jostling for position.
- Get inside faster: Be one of the first fans in when doors open for the best spot near the stage.
- Quick bar/merch access: Purchase drinks and merch faster to get settled before the show.
- Lounge access: Select venues have exclusive lounges for relaxing before the show.
- Convenience: For a reasonable fee, save time and hassle trying to enter venues.
The key pro is skipping extremely long wait times to get inside much faster. For planners and fans who value their time and concert experience, Fast Pass offers a big advantage.
What are the cons of using Fast Pass Live Nation?
However, there are also some downsides and limitations to Fast Pass:
- Added cost: The service isn’t free and tacks on an extra fee to tickets.
- Not guaranteed: Fast Pass does not completely eliminate waits in all cases.
- Limited availability: It’s only offered at select Live Nation venues and concerts.
- Must plan ahead: Can’t be purchased at the last minute – need to plan ahead when buying tickets.
- Time restraints: Fast Pass is usually limited to the first 30-60 minutes after doors open.
- Non-transferrable: Can only be used by the original ticket purchaser.
The extra cost is the biggest drawback weighed against the convenience benefits. There’s also a chance of some wait even with Fast Pass at extremely popular events.
When is it worth purchasing Fast Pass?
Here are some key scenarios when purchasing Fast Pass Live Nation is most useful:
- Attending a high-demand, sold-out arena concert or festival.
- Arriving right at doors open to claim a good spot.
- Traveling with small children or elderly attendees.
- Wanting to buy event merch or drinks without waiting.
- Avoiding lines due to medical conditions.
- Convenience is a higher priority over cost.
The more crowded and chaotic an event is expected to be, the more valuable Fast Pass becomes for stress-free entry. It’s less beneficial for laid-back small club shows or events with open seating.
When is Fast Pass not necessary?
Here are scenarios where Fast Pass may not provide enough value to justify the extra cost:
- Attending lower-demand shows with smaller crowds.
- Arriving halfway through the opening act or later.
- Attending with General Admission floor seating.
- Venues with multiple entrances to spread out lines.
- Younger, able-bodied attendees who don’t mind regular lines.
- Cost-conscious concert-goers.
If an event isn’t expected to have major bottleneck points at entrances, standard entry lines may move quick enough not to warrant paying extra for Fast Pass.
How much does Fast Pass Live Nation cost?
Fast Pass pricing varies depending on the specifics of each event. Some typical price ranges include:
- Club shows: $20-$30 per pass
- Major concerts: $30-$50 per pass
- Festivals: $40-$60 per pass
Pricing also depends on whether the Fast Pass option is for general admission or reserved floor seating versus seated bowl/stadium shows. Bigger artists and festivals command higher Fast Pass pricing.
How does Fast Pass work at various Live Nation venues?
The specific Fast Pass experience can vary across Live Nation’s different concert halls, amphitheaters and stadiums. Here are some venue-specific details:
Venue | Fast Pass Details |
---|---|
Small Clubs | Separate entrance from GA line |
Theaters | Early venue access plus priority entry |
Amphitheaters | Access to exclusive lounge with free drinks and restrooms |
Arenas | Priority early entrance ahead of GA lines |
Stadiums | Entrance through VIP gates closer to seats |
Festivals | Shorter lines at designated Fast Pass festival entrances |
So the Fast Pass experience improves beyond standard entry lines to varying degrees based on the specific venue layouts and offerings.
Is Fast Pass worth it for floor seats vs. reserved stadium seats?
Fast Pass holds more value for general admission floor tickets compared to reserved stadium/bowl seating. Here’s a breakdown:
For GA Floor:
- Floor spots fill quickly, so early entry ensures better positioning
- Lines get very congested with fans vying for the best spots
- Earlier bar and merch access useful since fans lose spots if they leave the floor
For Reserved Seating:
- Having specific reserved seats reduces the need for earliest entry
- Entry lines generally move smoother into stadiums
- Leaving seats for bars/merch does not impact viewing spots
While Fast Pass holds some value for reserved seats to quicken entry, GA floor tickets benefit much more from easy early access before the crowds pack in.
Should you buy Fast Pass for festivals?
Fast Pass can be extremely useful at crowded music festivals. Major reasons festivals make Fast Pass beneficial:
- Huge crowds make lines incredibly long without it
- Allows quicker access to get the lay of the festival grounds
- Earlier entry to buy merch before items sell out
- Access to shorter food and beverage lines
Festivals sprawl over huge areas so getting in faster provides big time savings traversing grounds and accessing amenities. Coordination for big groups also gets easier.
Downsides for festivals include pass costs added onto already expensive festival tickets. Additionally, some festivals have compact enough grounds that regular lines may be reasonable.
What is the best way to purchase Fast Pass?
To purchase Fast Pass Live Nation, follow these steps:
- Buy concert tickets on Ticketmaster
- If available, Fast Pass option will appear during checkout
- Select number of passes needed when prompted
- Tickets will be sent with Fast Pass instructions
- Bring printed or mobile tickets to venue for Fast Pass entry
Purchasing well ahead of shows is recommended, as Fast Pass often sells out for major events. Third-party resellers will not have access to Fast Pass.
What are Fast Pass directions at venues?
While specific directions vary, Fast Pass purchasers can expect something like the following upon arrival:
- Look for designated Fast Pass lane(s) marked with signage
- Be prepared to show ticket with Fast Pass
- Have ID ready to match name on ticket purchases
- Adhere to any time windows printed on pass
- Enter through Fast Pass queue when permitted inside
Following any printed or emailed instructions from Ticketmaster is advised for a smooth Fast Pass experience.
Can you buy Fast Pass at the venue?
Fast Pass Live Nation needs to be purchased in advance online and cannot be bought at venue box offices. Passes are tied to specific ticket purchases through Ticketmaster. Walk-up sales are not available. Advance planning is required to utilize Fast Pass.
How early should you arrive with Fast Pass?
While Fast Pass offers quicker entry, arriving when doors open is still recommended to take full advantage. Typical ideal arrival times:
- Festivals: 30 mins before gates open
- Major concerts: 1 hour pre-show
- Clubs: 30 mins early
This ensures being among the very first inside ahead of regular lines. For reserved seats, arriving 30-60 mins early suffices to skip most entry lines.
Can Fast Pass be used if your ticket gets sold?
Fast Pass is tied to the original ticket purchaser and cannot be transferred or used by anyone else. The original buyer must be present with ID matching tickets to use the Fast Pass perks. Sold tickets would forfeit the associated Fast Pass access.
Is Fast Pass Live Nation worth it? Conclusion
For major concerts and festivals where huge crowds are expected, Fast Pass Live Nation provides a big convenience benefit for quicker entry, less lines, and early venue/merch access. For popular events where demand exceeds capacity, it is often worth the added cost. However, for lower-key events with manageable lines, Fast Pass is not as necessary and provides more limited value. As long as you consider the specific type of show and your personal preferences, you can determine if paying extra for Fast Pass meets your needs as a live music fan.