Getting tickets to popular concerts and events through Ticketmaster can be a frustrating experience. Demand often far exceeds supply for hot shows, leading to websites crashing and tickets selling out in minutes. However, there are some tips and tricks savvy fans use to improve their chances of scoring seats. Here are the inside secrets to navigating the Ticketmaster ticketing process.
Understand How Ticketmaster Sales Work
Ticketmaster uses different sale methods depending on the event. Here are some of the most common types of Ticketmaster sales:
- General onsale: Tickets go on sale at a publicized date and time. This is the most straightforward sale method but generally leads to the most competition.
- Presales: Presales allow certain groups like fan club members or credit card holders early access to purchase tickets before the general public. You usually need a code or password to access presales.
- VIP packages: Some shows offer premium ticket packages that come with perks like meet and greets, signed merchandise, or exclusive access. These cost more but can help you get a ticket.
- Auctions: For very high demand shows, Ticketmaster runs auctions where seats go to the highest bidder. Auctions begin at a minimum price but can quickly escalate based on demand.
Knowing when and how tickets will be sold enables you to plan your strategy and focus your efforts on the sales that best suit your needs.
Sign Up for Fan Clubs and Mailing Lists
Joining an artist’s official fan club is one of the best ways to get presale access. Fan club members often get first access to purchase tickets as a benefit of membership. Mailing lists through artists, venues, LiveNation, and Ticketmaster also provide presale code giveaways to subscribers. Sign up for any related lists you can find to increase your odds of getting a presale code.
Use Presale Codes
Presale ticket allotments tend to be smaller than general onsales, but the limited competition gives you better chances. The key is getting an eligible presale code to access the sales. Here are some tips for finding codes:
- Check the event page frequently as the onsale approaches – presale passwords are sometimes released publicly just before the presale.
- Follow the artist and venue social media accounts which often share presale codes.
- Sign up for presale code services like Presale Password Info that text passwords to subscribers.
- Check fan forums where kindly members may share unused codes.
Having an arsenal of presale codes ready gives you multiple shots at exclusive presales in the days leading up to a public onsale.
Use Multiple Devices
Having multiple devices logged in and ready when tickets go onsale is beneficial for a few reasons:
- It allows you to access tickets from more than one IP address, getting around limits or waiting rooms.
- You can utilize more than one waiting room which gives added chances if some sell out.
- It provides backup devices in case of glitches, stalled pages, or other technical issues.
Make sure to log in to your Ticketmaster account on all devices beforehand. Using laptops, desktops, tablets, and phones with strong wifi coverage maximizes your options.
Check for Ticket Releases
Ticketmaster sometimes releases additional ticket inventory leading up to an event, even if shows are marked “sold out.” It pays to keep checking back for newly opened seats as the event date approaches. Tickets may be released from:
- The venue holding back inventory to combat scalpers.
- Production holds getting released once stage setup is finalized.
- Cancellations from any fan returns or unpurchased VIP packages.
Persistence and repeatedly checking back can help you score seats to sold out shows. Also connect with fan communities online to get alerts on newly opened tickets.
Leverage Fan-to-Fan Resale
Ticketmaster provides secure fan-to-fan ticket resale through their Ticket Exchange program. This is a good option if tickets immediately sell out. Here are some tips for Ticket Exchange:
- Prices may start high initially but tend to drop as the event nears.
- Sellers can relist and adjust prices any time so check back often.
- Compare Ticket Exchange prices against other secondary marketplaces like StubHub.
- If buying just before an event, you can often make lower offers to sellers.
While not ideal, Ticket Exchange provides a trusted option for getting last minute tickets when box office sales are sold out.
Use Caution with Scalpers
Ticket scalpers or resellers who hoard tickets to resell at a profit account for many instantly sold out shows. However, scalpers operate in shady legal territory and deals can go bad. If buying from a scalper:
- Vet them thoroughly and deal only with established resellers with solid reviews.
- Be very wary of “too good to be true” prices which may indicate scam listings.
- Only buy electronically transferrable tickets so you can verify barcodes.
- Never pay with risky methods like bank transfers or pre-paid cards.
Reputable resellers belong to trade groups like the NATB to instill consumer confidence. But overall, scalpers introduce massive risks into secondary ticket sales in pursuit of profits.
Strategize for the Onsale
When a major onsale drops, having a strategy in place improves your chances against the competition. Some onsale tips:
- Log in 10-15 minutes early in case queues start prematurely.
- Keep refreshing the waiting room page until you gain access.
- Have a few different sections/price levels queued up to compare.
- Act fast once inside – have payment and shipping info saved already.
- If you encounter errors, keep trying – don’t immediately give up.
Staying persistent, patient, and prepared will give you the best opportunity to beat the masses during intense onsales.
Use the Ticketmaster App
The Ticketmaster mobile app can provide advantages over using a desktop browser for some purchases. Benefits of the app include:
- Getting earlier access to some presales by skipping waiting rooms.
- Mobile-only flash sales that launch spontaenously for app users.
- Built-in Ticketmaster wallet for quicker checkouts.
- Paperless ticketing to securely manage tickets.
For major onsales, have the app open in addition to your desktop browser to take advantage of potential app-exclusive opportunities.
Set Budget Limits
Popular shows inevitably lead to high markups on the secondary market. Have a firm budget in mind for what you can reasonably afford for tickets and associated costs. Remember to factor in expenses like:
- Ticket face value plus fees
- Travel to the event location if required
- Hotel costs if an overnight stay is warranted
- Additional spending at the event like merchandise, food, parking, etc.
Setting a realistic budget cap will prevent you overspending in the heat of the onsale moment trying to secure tickets at all costs.
Use Prepaid or Gift Cards
Linking prepaid Visa cards or gift cards to your Ticketmaster account provides a smart way to control your spending. Benefits include:
- Locks maximum spending to the card’s balance so you avoid overdrafts.
- Avoids foreign transaction fees on debit/credit cards for cross-border purchases.
- Keeps primary bank/credit accounts more secure if card numbers are hacked.
Just make sure to register the card and add funds well in advance so they are ready for fast checkouts.
Avoid Using Multiple Windows
It’s tempting to open multiple browser windows when you gain access, hoping to snag tickets from different queues. However, this is an ineffective tactic that can work against you by:
- Overloading your internet connection and slowing processes.
- Allowing others to jump ahead if connections stall on your end.
- Potentially triggering anti-bot detection leading to cancelled orders or bans.
Focus your efforts on one window/device for the cleanest and most efficient experience.
Try Incognito Mode
Some theorize that using incognito or private browser windows gets around Ticketmaster limits or waiting rooms. The merits of this tactic are questionable but there is little downside to trying it. Just open a new incognito window side-by-side with your standard browser window to compare.
Verify Your Info is Correct
Nothing slows you down like fixable errors when racing to checkout. Before an onsale, double check:
- Your Ticketmaster account and shipping addresses are properly entered.
- Your payment methods are valid and up to date.
- Your account passwords are set and can be automatically entered.
Saving those precious seconds for corrections could make the difference in competitive sales.
Use Autofill Browser Extensions
Browser autofill extensions like Form Filler for Ticketmaster speed up the checkout process by automatically inserting your info into required fields. After installing the extension:
- Enter your details like name, email, payment info, etc.
- The plugin will then automatically populate the fields at checkout.
Reducing manual entry this way provides a big time savings over typed checkouts.
Only Buy What You Need
To maximize everyone’s chance at tickets, only purchase the seats you actually need. Avoid these unnecessary practices:
- Buying extra seats to resell above face value.
- Grabbing tickets planning to just eat the cost if plans change.
- Purchasing seats far away just to say you got tickets.
Keeping purchases to reasonable needs makes the system fairer and helps real fans get better access.
Have Backups Ready
Despite your best efforts, hot shows can sell out before you complete checkout. If that happens, immediately pivot to backup options like:
- Trying again for single seats popping up from cancellations.
- Looking for nearby show dates that may have less demand.
- Buying verified resale tickets to get prices initially inflated by scalpers.
- Widening search to other trusted vendors like AXS, eTix, or SeeTickets.
Preparing backup plans helps you rebound quickly if your first attempts are unsuccessful.
Use Queuing Services Cautiously
Third party queuing services like Queue-it sound enticing, promising to hold your spot in line as soon as waiting rooms open. However, many question the validity of these services. Considerations when using paid queueing sites:
- Upfront costs reduce savings even if they help you get tickets.
- Read reviews carefully as some are considered outright scams.
- Ensure they offer ticket purchase guarantees or refunds if unsuccessful.
- Never provide your actual Ticketmaster login credentials.
In general, free queuing options provided directly by Ticketmaster are more trustworthy.
Spread Out Your Searches
Rather than hammering one section and price range relentlessly, try spreading out searches across different options. This approach may help you get around queues or capacity limits. Some suggestions:
- Search 1 or 2 tickets at a time then increase if unsuccessful.
- Rotate between best available seats and targeted sections.
- Mix in VIP or premium ticket searches between standard searches.
Varying your search mix gives more pathways to possibly find available seats amidst seller competition.
Keep Trying Access Codes
For high demand onsales, Ticketmaster uses Verified Fan access codes to manage traffic. Tips for effectively using access codes include:
- Keep trying codes even if initial ones don’t work as codes randomly regenerate.
- Open multiple browser tabs with different access codes to multiply chances.
- Don’t waste time guessing – only use codes provided directly to you via Ticketmaster.
- Bookmark the access code validation page to quickly paste in codes.
Persistently trying different verified codes received gives you the best opportunity to eventually gain entry.
Adjust Practices Over Time
Ticketmaster frequently evolves its purchasing processes and protocols. Techniques that work today may become obsolete or banned under updated policies. Successful buyers stay sharp by:
- Closely tracking Ticketmaster updates and announcements.
- Testing out new sales systems using presales before major onsales.
- Modifying techniques based on recent experiences and restrictions.
- Avoiding shady workarounds that violate Ticketmaster’s terms of use.
What works today might not fly tomorrow. Savvy fans constantly evaluate and refine their approaches over time asTicketmaster’s practices evolve.
Don’t Give in to FOMO
Fear of missing out can cloud judgements and lead to poor financial decisions when pursuing tickets. Avoid overspending fueled by FOMO by:
- Sticking to reasonable budgets aligned with your means.
- Tracking prices over time – early markups usually drop later.
- Buying last minute only when prices align with budgets.
Getting caught up in the mania is understandable but leads to regrettable financial choices. Think rationally when evaluating expensive secondary market tickets.
Manage Expectations
Even seasoned buyers fail to get tickets to the most coveted shows. Managing expectations helps avoid disappointment when things don’t work out. Keep perspective by:
- Recognizing that lack of tickets doesn’t mean lack of true fanhood.
- Appreciating you still got to participate in the communal onsale event.
- Knowing the artist would prefer tickets in real fans’ hands anyway.
Artists hate to disappoint fans but immense demand makes sellouts unavoidable. Focus on the experience over the outcome.
Have Backup Payment Methods
Debit or credit card declines during checkout instantly kill your ticket hopes. Avoid missed purchases due to payment issues by:
- Making sure cards have sufficient funds or limits beforehand.
- Linking multiple payment types like PayPal or mobile wallet.
- Using alternate cards than your go-to to spread risk.
- Only using trusted cards – avoid new accounts not fully activated.
Doubling up secure payment methods provides backup insurance against unforeseen snafus at checkout.
conclusion
Navigating Ticketmaster to purchase highly coveted tickets is akin to a competitive sport requiring skill, strategy, persistence, and a bit of luck. Success is never guaranteed with so much demand in the race for limited tickets. But those who understand the intricacies of Ticketmaster sales, exercise best practices, and avoid common mistakes give themselves the fighting chance possible. While the odds are long, the right preparation and techniques make it possible to beat the competition and get those seats other fans only dream of.
