Ticketmaster’s automatic selection is a feature that allows customers to automatically choose the best available tickets when they are purchasing tickets online. Here are some key things to know about how automatic selection works on Ticketmaster:
What does automatic selection mean?
When you use Ticketmaster’s automatic selection option, you are allowing their system to automatically choose specific seats for you when you request tickets for an event.
Instead of manually picking the exact seats you want, you specify how many tickets you need and what type of tickets you want (for example, lower level or upper level). You also may specify a price limit.
Ticketmaster’s system will then scan all available seats for the event and automatically select seats on your behalf that meet your criteria. This saves you time from having to browse each open seat option and manually select seats yourself.
How does Ticketmaster determine which seats to select?
Ticketmaster designed an algorithm that takes into account multiple factors when automatically selecting seats on behalf of customers:
- Your search criteria – This includes things like ticket quantity, ticket type/level, and maximum price. These parameters set the boundaries for what seats can be selected.
- Seat quality – The algorithm assigns a quality score to open seats based on various attributes like viewing angle to the stage, distance from stage, row letter, ADA accessibility, and more.
- Consistency – It tries to find a block of seats together rather than single seats here and there.
- Price – Within your search parameters, it aims for the lowest prices available.
By weighing all these elements, Ticketmaster’s system can hone in on an optimal seat selection customized to each customer’s needs and preferences.
What are the benefits of using automatic selection?
There are a few key advantages to using Ticketmaster’s automatic selection for events:
- Less effort: You avoid having to browse through the open seat options and manually make selections. The system does the work for you.
- Better seats: Ticketmaster can evaluate all open seats holistically and find you better options than you might find yourself. You benefit from its algorithm designed to optimize seat quality.
- Faster checkout: By removing manual seat selection, it streamlines the purchasing process for a quicker checkout.
- Group seating: For multi-ticket purchases, automatic selection is more likely to find a solid block of seats together.
When is automatic selection offered?
Automatic selection is typically offered when:
- There are a lot of open seats available, so you have multiple options.
- Tickets have already gone on sale to the general public. It is not generally available during presales.
- The event is at a major venue that utilizes reserved seating, versus general admission festivals or smaller venues.
Automatic selection is most useful when you have a lot of seat options to choose from and want an optimized selection without having to evaluate each open seat.
Does Ticketmaster charge extra fees for automatic selection?
No, there are no extra fees specifically for using automatic selection. You pay the standard Ticketmaster fees that apply to all ticket purchases, but no added fees on top of that.
Can you customize automatic selection criteria?
Yes, Ticketmaster allows you to customize the criteria so automatic selection yields tickets aligned with your preferences. Options include:
- Number of tickets needed
- Price limit per ticket
- Specific section or seat level (i.e. lower level)
- Distance from stage preferences (i.e. closer)
- Aisle seat preference
You have quite a bit of control over the parameters. Automatic selection will then find the best seats it can based on your custom criteria.
Does Ticketmaster show you the seats before purchase?
In most cases, no. With true automatic selection, seats are simply assigned to you by Ticketmaster’s system behind the scenes. You will not see or select the actual seats yourself.
However, some events may use a hybrid model where suggested seat options are displayed, but seats are automatically assigned if you do not manually select them before the purchase deadline.
If you want full visibility into your exact seat locations before final purchase, you may want to avoid using automatic selection.
Can you change automatically selected seats later?
Unfortunately, once seats are automatically assigned, you cannot change or exchange them later through Ticketmaster. Any changes would need to be handled directly with the venue’s box office.
To ensure you get the exact seats you want, it is best not to use automatic selection. But if you are flexible on specific seat locations, automatic selection is a fast way to get tickets in a general area meeting your criteria.
Is automatic selection a good option?
Automatic selection can be a great option under the right circumstances. The key advantages of time-savings, better seat quality, group seating, and fast checkout make it ideal when:
- You want seats in a general area but don’t care about exact locations.
- You need a large block of tickets for a group.
- The venue maps is confusing and you don’t want to spend time decoding it.
- You want the Ticketmaster algorithm to do the seat evaluation work for you.
However, if you prefer to hand-select exact seat locations or see the seats before purchase, then automatic selection may not be the best fit.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster’s automatic selection takes the hassle out of choosing open seats at major venues. By letting Ticketmaster’s system evaluate all options against your criteria, you can get seats tailored to your needs without having to manually select them. It offers advantages in time-savings, quality, and group seating. While you give up control over exact locations, the trade-off is well worth it for many consumers looking for a quicker, easier ticket buying experience.
