Broadway.com is one of the most popular websites for purchasing tickets to Broadway shows in New York City. With its large inventory of shows and convenient online booking capabilities, Broadway.com provides a helpful service for theatergoers looking to secure seats in advance. However, as with any online retailer, questions arise regarding Broadway.com’s legitimacy and reliability when it comes to delivering real tickets and authentic customer service.
What is Broadway.com?
Broadway.com is an online marketplace for booking Broadway show tickets in New York City. The website is operated by Broadway.com Inc., a subsidiary of Broadway Across America, which is in turn owned by John Gore Organization, one of the largest Broadway producers and theater owners. Broadway.com first launched in 1996 as an informational site about Broadway shows and has since expanded to offer a ticket marketplace connecting fans with shows.
Today, Broadway.com allows users to:
- View show schedules, theaters, and seating charts
- Purchase advance tickets to Broadway and off-Broadway productions
- Read news, reviews, interviews, and exclusive content
- Research NYC hotels, restaurants, parking, and transportation
The website serves both domestic and international audiences looking to buy Broadway tickets online and arrange their trip to New York City to see a show. It aims to be a one-stop shop for theater tickets and Broadway-focused travel planning.
Is Broadway.com an Official Ticket Seller?
Yes, Broadway.com is an official ticket seller for all Broadway shows in New York City. It has direct partnerships with theater owners and operators to sell legitimate tickets to productions. Broadway.com sells primary market tickets, meaning they come directly from the source and box office, not through third-party resellers or ticket brokers.
As an official outlet, Broadway.com tickets are guaranteed to be valid and authentic. The website has secure checkout processes and buyer protections in place to ensure customers receive the actual tickets they pay for. However, prices may be marked up higher than box office rates or other primary ticket sellers.
How Does Broadway.com Get Tickets to Sell?
Broadway.com obtains its ticket inventory in a few ways:
- Allocations: Producers allocate certain tickets from the box office to be sold specifically through Broadway.com.
- Broadway owners: The John Gore Organization supplies tickets for shows in its owned theaters.
- Partnerships: Other theater owners supply tickets according to partnership distribution deals.
- Secondary market: Broadway.com may purchase extra tickets from resellers to meet customer demand.
Having connections within the Broadway industry allows the website preferential access to high-demand tickets to hot shows. The website also uses dynamic pricing, so prices fluctuate based on inventory and popularity to maximize sales.
Are Broadway.com Tickets Guaranteed?
Yes, all tickets purchased through Broadway.com are guaranteed valid. The website stands behind the authenticity of its tickets and promises customers will receive their tickets in time for the selected performance. Broadway.com tickets also include the following guarantees:
- Full refund if event is canceled and not rescheduled
- Full refund if tickets are lost or stolen and cannot be replaced
- Comparable replacement tickets or 125% purchase value as credit if an issue arises and replacement tickets cannot be sourced
Customer service reps are available by phone and email to address any ticket concerns. The website’s 100% Buyer Guarantee helps assure customers their Broadway.com purchase is risk-free.
What Are the Service and Delivery Fees?
When purchasing through Broadway.com, customers will notice ticket prices are higher than the listed box office rates. This is due to premiums and fees Broadway.com charges on every order:
- Service fee – This ranges from $10-$30 per ticket and involves costs for sourcing, servicing, and processing orders.
- Delivery fee – $15-$25 per order to cover fulfillment costs.
- Facility fee – Usually $2 per ticket, this covers venue maintenance costs.
These fees are in addition to the raised price of the tickets themselves compared to box office rates. While higher than face value, Broadway.com tickets can still represent good deals compared to the secondary market. Customers pay for the convenience of advance online booking.
What Payment Methods are Accepted?
Broadway.com accepts the following payment methods:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Discover
- PayPal
The website processes payments through secure encryption technology to protect customer data. No extra fees are charged for using a particular payment method.
Can You Upgrade Broadway.com Tickets?
Yes, Broadway.com allows customers to upgrade their tickets after initial purchase. Upgrades provide the ability to get better seats in a preferred location. Customers can upgrade tickets by:
- Using the free Ticket Exchange to bid for better seats.
- Purchasing premium seating upgrades for an additional fee during checkout.
- Calling or emailing customer service to inquire about upgrade options.
If looking to upgrade closer to the show date, it is best to contact Broadway.com within 72 hours of the performance to check on availability. Upgrades are not guaranteed and depend on inventory. Any price difference is charged to complete the exchange.
Does Broadway.com Offer Discounts or Promo Codes?
Broadway.com periodically offers special discount promotions or promo codes customers can take advantage of:
- Special offers – Occasional percentage discounts off select shows.
- Buy one get one free – BOGO deals that crop up around special events or holidays.
- Lottery and rush tickets – Cheap last minute tickets through lotteries and rush programs.
- Promo codes – Sitewide or per show codes that offer $10-$20+ off orders.
- Email signup – Users get early access to special offers by joining email lists.
Following Broadway.com on social media is another good way to stay on top of upcoming promotions and discount ticket opportunities to help save money.
What is the Broadway.com Audience Rewards Club?
The Audience Rewards Club is Broadway.com’s free loyalty program. Customers earn points for ticket purchases and engagements with the website:
- 100 points per $1 spent on tickets
- 500 points for writing a show review
- 250 points for adding a show photo
- 50 points for sharing on social media
Points can be redeemed for exclusive rewards like:
- Ticket upgrades
- Backstage tours
- Autographed merchandise
- Meet and greets
- Sweepstakes entries
Joining the free Audience Rewards Club allows customers to earn toward VIP experiences and Broadway-themed perks.
What Are the Best Broadway Shows to Book on Broadway.com?
The highest grossing Broadway shows with the most demand for tickets include:
| Show | Description |
|---|---|
| Hamilton | Hip hop musical about Founding Father Alexander Hamilton |
| The Lion King | Musical theater adaptation of the Disney film |
| Wicked | Wizard of Oz prequel musical |
| The Book of Mormon | Satirical musical comedy about Mormon missionaries |
| Aladdin | Stage adaptation of the Disney movie |
These shows are perpetually the hottest tickets on Broadway. Booking well in advance via Broadway.com is recommended to secure seats.
What Are the Pros of Booking Broadway Tickets Through Broadway.com?
Some key advantages of using Broadway.com include:
- Huge selection of shows – One place to access almost all Broadway tickets.
- Official ticket source – Direct partnerships mean 100% valid tickets.
- Advanced booking – Reserve tickets months in advance.
- Flexible delivery – Print at home or pick up at box office.
- Cancellation insurance – Refunds if show is canceled and not rescheduled.
- Guaranteed tickets – Assistance with replacement tickets if issues arise.
- Ease of upgrading – Hassle-free options to improve seats.
- Perks and special offers – Savings and exclusive rewards through loyalty program.
The convenience and reliability offered by this trusted source for official Broadway tickets makes the service worthwhile despite higher costs.
What Are the Cons of Purchasing from Broadway.com?
Some downsides to consider when using Broadway.com include:
- Higher costs – Fees and marked up prices over box office rates.
- No reselling or transfers – Tickets are non-transferable.
- High demand limits – Popular shows still sell out quickly.
- Less discounts – Fewer promotions than other sellers.
- Processing fees – Charges levied on all payment types.
While the extra costs allow Broadway.com to service and fulfill orders, the ticket premiums and lack of flexibility can deter some buyers. Doing thorough comparison shopping is still advised.
How Does Broadway.com Compare to Other Broadway Ticket Sites?
Here is how Broadway.com stacks up against some other popular Broadway ticket sellers online:
| Site | Ticket Prices | Fees | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broadway.com | High | High fees | Wide selection |
| Telecharge | Mid-range | Medium fees | Wide selection |
| TodayTix | Varies | Low fees | Select shows |
| Box Office | Face value | No fees | Limited |
| StubHub | High | High fees | Wide selection |
While not always the cheapest option, Broadway.com remains one of the best sources for convenient and guaranteed Broadway tickets online.
Is Broadway.com Safe and Trustworthy?
Yes, Broadway.com is generally very safe and trustworthy for purchasing Broadway tickets. Some signs it is legitimate and secure include:
- Official partnerships with shows for direct ticket access
- Longstanding reputation operating since 1996
- Norton Secured and McAfee SECURE security certifications
- SSL encryption technology for financial data
- No reports of fraud or major complaints against the company
- Strong customer service resources and response
- Refunds provided for canceled shows or other ticket issues
Broadway.com is one of the most well-known and longest running Broadway ticket sites online. Millions have booked through its services without major problems. While buyers should still be careful of any online purchase, Broadway.com is about as trustworthy as it gets for Broadway tickets on the internet.
Conclusion
Broadway.com has firmly established itself as a reliable one-stop shop for booking Broadway tickets online. Its official partnerships secure authentic ticket inventory directly from shows and box offices. Customer service and buyer guarantees help ensure a risk-free experience. While Broadway.com charges premium prices and fees compared to face value box office rates, the convenience and security it provides for advance Broadway ticket sales remains popular with theatergoers. Weighing the pros and cons of Broadway.com compared to other ticket sellers can determine if it is the best fit for your Broadway ticket needs.