When it comes to buying tickets for concerts, sports games, and other live events, fees can really add up. Many ticket resellers like StubHub and Vivid Seats tack on service fees, delivery fees, and other charges that increase the base price. As a buyer, those extra costs can be frustrating. So what’s the best way to avoid all those annoying fees when purchasing tickets? Here’s a look at some ticket apps and resale sites that don’t charge service fees.
No-Fee Ticketing Apps
If you want to avoid fees altogether, your best bet is to use a no-fee ticketing app. These apps partner directly with teams, venues, artists, and promoters to sell tickets to events without any extra charges. Here are some of the top no-fee ticket apps:
- Gametime – This popular ticketing app offers last-minute tickets to sporting events and concerts without any fees. All NBA and NFL tickets are available fee-free.
- Lyte – Lyte partners with artists like Billie Eilish, John Mayer, and the Black Keys to sell primary tickets directly to fans without fees. They also resell returned tickets to in-demand shows.
- Dice – Dice sells primary tickets for concerts, festivals, and live events in the UK sans fees. Top acts like Adele, Ed Sheeran, and Elton John partner with them.
- SeatGeek – This resale marketplace uses their Deal Score feature to highlight the best no-fee ticket options. You can filter your search to see only fee-free listings.
The main advantage of using these apps is that the ticket price you see is the final amount you’ll pay. There are no surprise costs added at checkout. Most also offer convenient mobile ticketing so you can access your tickets instantly.
Ticket Sites With Lower Fees
If you can’t find what you need on the fee-free apps, your next best option is to look for sites that charge lower service fees. Even a few dollars in savings per ticket can add up, especially on bigger orders. Here are some good options:
Vivid Seats
Compared to most secondary marketplaces, Vivid Seats offers some of the lowest service fees around. Their fee starts at only $2 per ticket for cheap seats and tops out at $20 per ticket for expensive seats. They also let you view the total cost upfront during your search so there are no surprises.
TickPick
TickPick’s main claim to fame is having absolutely zero service fees on all ticket purchases. This no-fee model makes them one of the most affordable resale sites. You just pay the listed price without any extra charges tacked on.
StubHub
StubHub essentially pioneered the online ticket resale marketplace. While their fees are higher than some competitors, they’ve lowered their fees considerably in recent years. Their fee now starts at around 10% of the ticket cost. You can filter search results by “Lowest Fees” to find deals.
Veteran Tickets Foundation
This nonprofit organization provides tickets to veterans at just slightly above face value prices. They partner with teams, leagues, and venues to get discounted tickets and only charge small service fees to cover costs. It’s a great way for vets to enjoy events at low prices.
Seller Sites With Negotiable Fees
Rather than buying from a ticket marketplace, you may be able to save on fees by purchasing directly from an owner. Here are some sites that facilitate these kinds of peer-to-peer sales:
Craigslist
Craigslist allows local fans to post concert and sports tickets for sale in their classified ads section. There are no fees involved. You can contact the seller to negotiate prices and pickup/delivery.
Facebook Marketplace
Similar to Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace allows people in your area to post tickets for sale. Look for last-minute deals on tickets. You’ll arrange payment and exchange directly with the seller.
eBay
With eBay, you can search for event tickets then contact sellers to make an offer and negotiate. Save on fees by paying via eBay’s Bill Me Later option rather than credit card.
How Apps and Sites Make Money Without Fees
You may be wondering how ticketing platforms can operate without tacking on pesky fees. Here are some of the ways they earn revenue instead:
- Take a small commission on each ticket sold – usually a flat rate or percentage
- Charge subscription fees to ticket brokers and resellers to list inventory
- Offer premium upgrades like verified resale tickets for a fee
- Sell relevant advertising space to event sponsors, venues, etc.
- Provide ticket management and analytics services to teams and event organizers
Their business models allow them to cover costs while still offering fairer pricing. Partnerships and smart operations give them access to ticket inventory without paying hefty supplier fees that get passed on to buyers.
Tips for Buying Fee-Free Tickets
Here are some top tips for scoring the best seats without all those annoying fees:
- Buy directly from the box office or official source when possible – This is always the cheapest option
- Check fan resale sites first for no-fee listings – Filter by fee-free options or sort by price
- Get tickets to big events earlier – Late buyers often pay more fees
- Avoid print-at-home e-tickets with delivery fees – Use mobile entry from your phone instead
- Ask the seller to eat the fees if buying from an individual – Offer to pay a fair price if they cover fees
- Use discount codes and cashback to offset fees – Look for promos to help defray costs
Following these tips can help you keep more money in your wallet when purchasing tickets. With the right strategy, you can dodge those pesky fees and enjoy events on a budget.
Conclusion
From no-fee apps like Lyte and Gametime to resale sites like StubHub and TickPick, there are ways to buy tickets while avoiding high service fees and surcharges. Peer-to-peer exchanges on Craigslist, Facebook, and eBay are another good option. While most platforms need to charge something to stay in business, the ones mentioned here offer much more buyer-friendly pricing compared to many competitors. Follow these tips to keep fees low so you can enjoy concerts, games, and shows without breaking the bank.