Ticketmaster is the largest ticket sales and distribution company in the world, selling tickets for concerts, sports games, theater shows, and other live events. While Ticketmaster tickets can be expensive, especially for popular events, there are ways to get discounts and save money on your Ticketmaster purchases.
Promotional codes
One of the best ways to save on Ticketmaster is to use promo codes and coupons. Ticketmaster frequently offers special discount codes that can be applied at checkout to get 10%, 20% or even 25% off your order. Some tips for finding Ticketmaster promo codes:
- Sign up for Ticketmaster’s emails – they will send exclusive discount codes to subscribers.
- Follow Ticketmaster on social media for coupon announcements.
- Look for Ticketmaster promo codes on deal sites like RetailMeNot.
- Search the current Ticketmaster promotions page for available codes.
Make sure to read the fine print on any Ticketmaster coupon code – some may apply only to certain events, have a minimum purchase requirement, or expire after a certain date. You can typically only use one promo code per order, so choose the best code available.
Ticket presales
Ticket presales are advance sales held before tickets go on sale to the general public. Presales allow you to buy tickets before they sell out and give you access to tickets before prices increase. There are a few main ways to get presale ticket access:
- Join fan clubs or mailing lists for the artist/team to get presale passwords.
- Have an American Express card which provides presale ticket offers.
- Buy a VIP package that includes presale ticket access.
- Get presale tickets through a sponsor, radio station or other affiliate.
Presale tickets are typically available for a short window (ex: 24 hours) before the public on-sale. Presales may also have ticket limits or lower prices than the general public on-sale.
Season ticket holder discounts
If you are a season ticket holder with a sports team or theater company, you may have access to special Ticketmaster discounts. Teams often partner with Ticketmaster to offer season ticket holders 10-15% off additional tickets purchased through Ticketmaster. There may be limits and terms, but if you are a regular season ticket holder it is worth inquiting about a potential Ticketmaster discount program.
Group discounts
Getting tickets in a group? Ticketmaster offers special bulk ticket pricing for groups of 10+ people on many events. Group discounts can save you up to 20% per ticket. To get the group discount, all the tickets must be purchased in one order from Ticketmaster. Keep in mind group ticket sales typically start before individual tickets go on sale.
VIP packages
While VIP or premium ticket packages seem expensive upfront, they can actually save you money compared to buying similar amenities separately. Ticketmaster’s VIP packages include amenities like premium seating, pre-show receptions, merchandise, parking passes, and more. When you factor in the face value of the ticket and each perk, the package cost is often discounted compared to regular tickets.
TicketExchange
TicketExchange is Ticketmaster’s official ticket resale marketplace. Season ticket holders or people who can no longer attend events resell tickets through TicketExchange. Resale inventory depends on the event, but you can find heavily discounted tickets. All TicketExchange tickets are verified, guaranteed and covered by Ticketmaster’s guarantees.
Military & student discounts
Active military members, veterans and students can get access to exclusive Ticketmaster discounts. These are typically 15-20% off tickets and require proof of ID.me verification. Discounts may be limited to certain events.
Deals on ticket bundles
If you plan on attending multiple events, look for ticket bundle deals. Ticketmaster offers discounted packages on 2+ tickets to live events in the same city. Bundles must be purchased in a single order. There can be significant cost savings compared to buying the tickets separately.
Special event sales
Ticketmaster runs limited time sales offering ticket deals for select events. Sales include “48 Hour Deals”, “Daily Drops” and more, offering 20-60% off concerts, sports and theater tickets. These deals sell out extremely quickly but can net you the lowest Ticketmaster prices.
Dynamic pricing
Ticketmaster uses dynamic pricing, so ticket prices adjust over time based on demand. When an event first goes on sale, prices are generally the lowest. Prices increase as the event date approaches and fewer tickets remain. Buying early is one of the best ways to pay less. Comparing prices over time using Price History charts can help ensure you buy at the right time.
Avoid fees
The best way to save money on Ticketmaster is to avoid the fees! Here are some tips:
- Buy directly through the box office or venue site when available to avoid Ticketmaster fees.
- Use a Ticketmaster promo code – some codes include discounted or waived fees.
- Buy season ticket packages or group tickets which include lower/no fee options.
- Purchase TicketFast Delivery tickets which have lower delivery fees.
- Get tickets issued directly to your mobile device to avoid delivery charges.
Join Ticketmaster Rewards
The Ticketmaster Rewards program is free to join and offers ticket discounts and rewards points that can be redeemed for future purchases. Perks include:
- Earn 5% back on all ticket purchases as Reward Points
- $5 reward for every $100 spent
- Access to member-only tickets
- Upgrade opportunities at events
- Pre-sale ticket offers
Points can be redeemed as account credit towards future events. The more you spend on Ticketmaster, the more points can be earned.
Use discounted gift cards
You can save money on Ticketmaster orders by purchasing discounted gift cards. Sites like GiftCardGranny often sell Ticketmaster gift cards for less than face value – sometimes up to 20% off. The discount gift cards can be applied towards all or part of your ticket purchase. Just make sure to use gift cards before expiration.
Conclusion
While Ticketmaster has a reputation for high fees and prices, there are quite a few ways to reduce the costs by taking advantage of promo codes, presales, bundles, and discounts. Flexible timing along with Groupon, LivingSocial, and gift cards can help you save on tickets. Planning ahead and being diligent about finding deals can help you get the best value on Ticketmaster.
Summary of Ways to Get Discounts on Ticketmaster
- Use Ticketmaster promo codes
- Get tickets during presales
- Check for season ticket holder or group discounts
- Look for discounted VIP packages
- Buy/resell through TicketExchange
- Take advantage of military, student, and other discounts
- Find ticket bundle deals
- Shop limited time sales
- Buy early to get the lowest prices
- Avoid fees by buying directly or picking delivery methods wisely
- Join Ticketmaster Rewards program
- Use discounted gift cards
Following these tips and looking out for the best deals will help you save the most money possible on your next Ticketmaster purchase. With persistence and flexibility, you can find discounts on even the hottest and most popular events.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get discounts on concert tickets on Ticketmaster?
Some ways to save on concert tickets through Ticketmaster include using promo codes, buying during presales, getting group discounts, purchasing bundled deals, shopping resale tickets on TicketExchange, buying early to get lower pre-demand pricing, avoiding fees when possible, and utilizing the Ticketmaster Rewards program for $5 back per $100 spent.
Does Ticketmaster offer any special discounts?
Yes, Ticketmaster does offer a variety of special discounts. These include discounts for military members, students, groups, season ticket holders, and American Express card members. Ticketmaster also frequently runs sales and promo codes that provide 10-25% off ticket orders.
What days/times should I buy tickets to get the best deal?
The best time to buy tickets is typically right when they first go on sale, either during presales or general public on-sales. Prices tend to be lowest and availability highest right when tickets initially go on sale, before demand drives prices up. Midweek sales also tend to have better deals than busy weekends.
How far in advance should I buy concert tickets to get them cheap on Ticketmaster?
You generally want to buy tickets as soon as possible once they go on sale to the public. That is when prices are initially set at their lowest point. The longer you wait, the more demand increases and prices tend to go up, especially the closer it gets to the event date.
What are some tips and tricks for getting the cheapest tickets on Ticketmaster?
Tips for the cheapest Ticketmaster tickets include using presale codes, buying bundles, purchasing season ticket holder discounts, getting group discounts of 10+ tickets, buying resale tickets on TicketExchange, taking advantage of promotions and sales, joining their rewards program for $5 back per $100 spent, and avoiding fees by choosing delivery carefully.
Is there a way around Ticketmaster fees?
The best ways to avoid Ticketmaster fees are to purchase tickets directly through the venue box office either online or in person, buy season ticket packages that include lower/no fees, choose mobile ticket delivery instead of printed tickets shipped to you, and look for promo codes that include discounted/waived fees.
Are there any membership programs that offer Ticketmaster discounts?
Yes, the Ticketmaster Rewards program is free to join and offers $5 back for every $100 spent on tickets along with special presales and other discounts for members. American Express also provides cardholder-exclusive presales and discounts on select events purchased through Ticketmaster.
Can I use a Ticketmaster gift card to buy tickets?
Yes, Ticketmaster gift cards can be applied towards ticket purchases online or through the Ticketmaster app. Discounted gift cards from retailers like GiftCardGranny can offer an additional way to save money on your order. The gift card balance is simply deducted from your total ticket purchase amount.
What are the best websites to find Ticketmaster promo codes?
Some top sites to find valid Ticketmaster promo codes include the Ticketmaster promotions page, Ticketmaster’s social media channels, RetailMeNot, Groupon, LivingSocial, DealNews, and various blogs/deal aggregator sites. Promo code availability varies, so checking frequently yields the best results.
Can I negotiate ticket prices on Ticketmaster?
Unfortunately Ticketmaster does not allow negotiating ticket prices directly. The prices listed are set by the teams, artists, and venues. However, you can still save substantially by using promo codes, sales, discounted gift cards, and the Ticketmaster Rewards program. Being flexible on dates and seats can help you find better deals as well.
