A premium ticket refers to a ticket that provides access to additional amenities, services, and privileges compared to a standard ticket for an event or travel. Premium tickets are more expensive but offer an enhanced experience.
Types of Premium Tickets
There are several common types of premium tickets:
- VIP tickets – Include access to a VIP lounge area, early entry, special merch, and more personalized services.
- Platinum tickets – Provide the best seats in the venue, such as front row or floor seats for concerts.
- Box seats – Private or semi-private boxed seating areas in arenas and stadiums.
- Business or first-class tickets – Offer upgraded seating, services, and amenities for business travel.
- Suite tickets – Provide exclusive access to a private suite with premium views and luxury amenities.
Benefits of Premium Tickets
There are many benefits that premium tickets can provide, such as:
- Better views – Access to the best seats with unobstructed sight lines.
- Exclusive access – Entry to VIP-only areas and amenities not available to general ticket holders.
- Luxury amenities – Features like in-seat service, premium bars and lounges, gifts, and more.
- Personalized service – More individualized attention from staff and servers.
- Shorter lines – Faster entry and access to concession/merchandise stands.
- Special perks – Meet-and-greets, autographed items, swag bags, and other exclusive extras.
- Flexibility – Higher-priced tickets often allow for exchanges or refunds.
Reasons to Buy Premium Tickets
There are many reasons why someone may want to purchase premium tickets instead of standard tickets, such as:
- Special occasions – Premium tickets can provide a more memorable experience for celebrations, date nights, client entertainment, etc.
- Better comfort – Upgraded seats, amenities, and services allow you to enjoy the event in total comfort.
- Status and prestige – Premium tickets provide an element of status and luxury that standard tickets do not.
- Business networking – Suite tickets or VIP access provide opportunities to network and conduct business.
- Wanting the best – For big fans who want the ultimate experience, premium tickets deliver the best views and perks.
- Corporate gifting – Companies often buy premium tickets for employee rewards, contests, or client gifts.
- Bucket list events – For once-in-a-lifetime experiences like the Super Bowl or Finals, premium tickets let you do it in style.
Factors Affecting Premium Ticket Pricing
Several factors impact how much premium tickets cost compared to standard tickets:
- Event/artist popularity – More in-demand events and acts charge higher premium ticket prices.
- Venue size and layout – Smaller, more intimate venues have fewer premium seats available.
- Location of seats – Front row, floor seats, suites, and prime view areas command top dollar.
- Exclusivity of access – Prices go up for more exclusive VIP-only areas and amenities.
- Included amenities – More luxury services, food and drinks, gifts, etc. drive up premium prices.
- Market demand – When a lot of people want premium tickets, prices increase.
- Secondary market – Resale premium tickets often sell for significantly above face value.
In general, premium tickets can range anywhere from 1.5 to 10+ times more expensive than standard tickets for the same event. The premium reflects the additional experience and exclusivity provided.
How to Get Premium Tickets
There are a few ways to get premium tickets for an event or venue:
- Buy directly from the official box office, team, or artist website when tickets first go on sale to the public.
- Go through an official ticketing provider like Ticketmaster when premium inventory is available.
- Use a premium ticket consolidator like PremiumSeatsUSA that gets allocated inventory.
- Purchase season or multi-event ticket packages that include premium seating.
- Buy on the secondary market from resellers like VividSeats or StubHub.
- Join fan clubs, season ticket holder waiting lists, or venue membership programs for access to pre-sales.
- Take advantage of special promotions and presales for groups, credit cards, sponsors, etc.
Booking early and being flexible on dates can help access the best premium ticket availability. Prices are almost always higher buying closer to the event date or on secondary markets.
Is a Premium Ticket Worth It?
Whether premium tickets are “worth it” comes down to your budget and personal preferences. For big fans of sports teams, bands, or theater, premium tickets can provide once-in-a-lifetime memories or thrilling close-up views. The additional costs provide tangible benefits through exclusive access, luxury amenities, prime seating, and VIP treatment.
However, premium tickets are certainly not a necessity and standard tickets can still provide full access to enjoy the event. If you are just looking for basic admission without all the upgrades, premium tickets may not be worth stretching your budget. Many factors play a role in deciding if the added experience justifies the added cost for premium tickets vs standard tickets to an event.
Conclusion
Premium tickets deliver elite access, amenities, and seating to make any event extra special. While more expensive than standard tickets, premium tickets provide a range of tangible upgrades and exclusivity for an enhanced experience. Understanding the different types of premium tickets and weighing the costs against the benefits can help determine when indulging for a premium ticket provides good value for the money.
