With the rise of online ticket sales, consumers now have more options than ever when it comes to purchasing tickets for concerts, sports games, theater shows, and other events. However, not all ticket websites are created equal when it comes to fees and other add-on costs. Choosing the right website can end up saving you a lot of money compared to going with a site that tacks on high service fees, shipping costs, and other charges.
Key Factors in Ticket Website Fees
When evaluating and comparing fees across ticket sites, here are some of the key factors to look at:
- Service fees – This is a per-ticket fee charged by the website for facilitating the transaction. It can vary based on the ticket price.
- Shipping fees – If you choose ticket delivery by mail, most sites charge a shipping and handling fee.
- Taxes and facility fees – These fees are not controlled by the website but do add to your overall cost.
- Dynamic pricing – Some sites engage in surge pricing where the ticket price fluctuates based on demand.
- Hidden fees – Be sure to look for any additional fees that may be tacked on at checkout.
Major Ticket Websites Compared
Here is an overview of some of the most popular ticket websites and their typical fee structures:
Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster is one of the largest primary ticket outlets and tickets for most major concerts, sports leagues, and other events can be purchased directly through their site. Their fees include:
- Service fees – Range from $6.50 to over $30 depending on the ticket price.
- Shipping – $8-$25 for standard mail or more for expedited shipping.
- Facility fee – Varies by venue, but typically $3-$20 per ticket.
Ticketmaster has a dynamic pricing model where ticket prices adjust according to supply and demand. They are known for having some of the highest fees in the industry.
StubHub
StubHub is one of the largest secondary market ticket exchanges. Instead of selling the tickets directly, users can re-sell extra tickets to recoup some of their costs. StubHub’s fee structure includes:
- Service fees – Around 10-15% of the ticket price.
- Shipping – $10-$20 for standard delivery
- Sellers may also tack on their own defined fees
As a resale marketplace, StubHub’s ticket prices and fees can vary widely depending on the individual seller. Buyers may find good deals but need to watch out for excessive fees.
VividSeats
VividSeats is another large secondary ticket marketplace similar to StubHub. Their fee breakdown is:
- Service fees – Around 10-20% on most tickets
- Shipping – $14-$20 for UPS Ground
- Additional seller fees – Up to 15% can be added on
There are opportunities to find ticket discounts, but their overall fees tend to be higher than some other resale sites.
SeatGeek
SeatGeek describes themselves as an online ticket marketplace aggregating primary and secondary ticket sources. Their fees include:
- Service fees – 10-20% on the listed ticket price
- Shipping – $9.45 for standard delivery
- Seller fees – Up to 15% can be added by individual sellers
SeatGeek tries to offer an extensive ticket inventory from multiple sources. Their delivery guarantees can provide peace of mind to buyers. However, their fees can still add up quickly.
Venue Box Offices
One way to avoid the fees that come with most online ticket websites is to purchase tickets directly through the box office at the venue hosting the event. This allows you to avoid online convenience fees, shipping charges, and other add-ons. However, the main downsides are:
- Limited to venue’s on-sale inventory
- No shopping various sites for best seats/prices
- Need to visit box office in person
If the event isn’t sold out, scoring tickets directly from the venue can be a great money-saving option. But it does limit your ticket choices compared to the broad inventory on online ticketing websites.
Official Artist Presales
Many major touring artists will offer special presales through their fan clubs, email lists, or other official channels. These presales allow you to buy tickets directly from the source before the general public on-sale. Benefits include:
- Get first pick of seats before sell out
- Avoid inflated resale prices
- No waiting in ticket lines
Downsides of presales include having to join fan clubs, limited ticket allotments, and the need to buy immediately before missing out. But presales can be a smart way to score tickets before resellers markup prices.
Which Site Has the Lowest Fees?
Based on the fee breakdowns above, some clear low-fee and high-fee options emerge across ticket websites.
Lowest Fee Options
- Direct venue box office purchases
- Official artist fan presales
- Some primary market sites like AXS and eTix on select events
Highest Fee Options
- Major resellers like StubHub, VividSeats, and SeatGeek
- Mobile-focused apps like Gametime and TickPick which add on high service fees
- Ticketmaster for major concerts and sporting events
When it comes to fees charged by the ticket websites themselves, SeatGeek and VividSeats tend to have the highest overall costs including shipping and service fees. StubHub fees vary more based on the individual seller. On the lower end, direct box office sales remain the best way to avoid fees if tickets are available.
Tips for Saving Money on Event Tickets
Beyond just choosing a low-fee ticket site, there are some other tricks that can help you score the best deal:
- Check venue box office first before going to reseller sites
- Look for fan club or email list presales whenever possible
- Buy early before prices increase closer to the event date
- For reseller sites, sort by ‘Lowest Price’ instead of the recommended options
- Avoid UPS and FedEx express shipping unless you need to receive tickets fast
- Use discount promo codes and cashback sites to offset some fees
- Buy larger group orders which sometimes have lower combined fees
- Be willing to wait leading up to event date for sellers to drop prices
- Purchase upper-level or nosebleed seats instead of lower sections to save big
Conclusion
While no ticket buying experience is completely free of fees, consumers have more options than ever to shop for the best deals. Taking the time to understand the fee breakdowns on various sites, flexibly comparing prices across multiple sources, and utilizing presales and box office offerings can add up to huge savings. The extra effort pays off in keeping more money in your pocket instead of going towards excessive fees. A savvy fan can find tickets deals for their favorite sports, concerts, theater and more without getting gouged on add-on costs.