With Taylor Swift announcing her highly anticipated Eras Tour, fans are eager to get their hands on tickets. However, with presales selling out in minutes and huge demand driving up resale prices, knowing the best time to buy tickets is key to getting a good deal. Here’s a quick guide to navigating the ticket buying process for the Eras Tour and securing seats without overspending.
When do tickets go on sale?
There are a few different onsales for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour tickets:
- Verified Fan Presale: November 15, 2022
- Capital One Cardholder Presale: November 15, 2022
- Official Platinum Presale: November 16, 2022
- Ticketmaster General Public Onsale: November 18, 2022
The Verified Fan presale offers fans the first chance at tickets. Fans must register in advance on Ticketmaster and are verified as genuine Swifties. This helps prevent bots and scalpers from grabbing large quantities of tickets. The Capital One presale is for cardholders only. The Platinum presale provides early access to some of the best seats at inflated prices. Finally, the general onsale is open to the entire public.
When are prices lowest?
Prices are typically lowest when tickets first go on sale during the presales and general onsale. This is because the primary market is being flooded with inventory direct from the source. As tickets sell out, especially for the most in-demand shows, prices on the secondary resale market increase significantly. Fans who can get tickets during the initial onsales have the best shot at face value or modest markups.
After the initial onsales end, prices remain relatively low for a few weeks as more tickets trickle onto the secondary market. But as show dates approach, prices start creeping up.
When do prices peak?
For high demand shows, prices usually peak 1-2 weeks before the actual concert. By this point, inventory has shrunk considerably, especially for premium seats. With fans scrambling to secure last minute tickets, resellers can drive up prices. The week of the show, prices remain inflated but can start to drop off as resellers slash prices to offload extra inventory.
The key shows to watch for Taylor Swift’s tour are Los Angeles, New York, London, and other major markets. These traditionally see the highest demand. Smaller markets may not see such dramatic price fluctuations.
How to get face value tickets
Here are some tips to score tickets at face value or close to it:
- Register for Verified Fan presale – This gives you first dibs before the general public
- Check for fan club and credit card presales – Swift has partnered with Capital One but other presales may emerge later
- Buy early during presales and general onsale – Prices are lowest at the beginning before inventory sells out
- Be ready right at onsale time – Have accounts created and payment ready as tickets go fast
- Try for single seats – Fewer fans are competing for singles versus pairs/groups of seats
- Don’t give up – Keep checking as more tickets trickle out later in onsales
Following these tips maximizes your chances at face value tickets. But you have to be strategic, quick, and a bit lucky!
When are resale prices lowest?
For those who miss out on face value tickets, your next best bet is to buy resale tickets when prices hit a lull. Here are typical windows when resale prices are lower:
- 1-2 weeks after initial onsales – More tickets hit resale markets, undercutting initial hype
- 1-2 months before the show – Prices settle after the initial rush of buying
- 2 weeks before the show – Prices start rising heading into the final weeks
- 2-3 days before the show – Some last minute price drops if tickets go unsold
Avoid buying resale right when tickets initially sell out or in the final week. The sweet spot is 1-2 months out. Sign up for price alerts and track listings to snag good deals.
When should you absolutely not buy tickets?
Here are the riskiest times to buy Taylor Swift tickets on resale markets:
- Right after onsales sell out – Hype is high and prices inflated
- 1-4 weeks before the show – Peak pricing as demand climbs
- Day of the show – High risk of fraud
Desperation leads to poor ticket buying decisions. Avoid emotional purchases during peak pricing periods. Last minute deals may pop up but there’s also a huge risk of fraud from sketchy sellers. Save your money if you missed the initial onsales and wait for the next tour.
How to decide your budget
Set your budget carefully when buying Taylor Swift tickets:
- Check face values – This should be your ideal spending limit
- Review past tour ticket prices – Her last tour can indicate what you can expect to pay
- Factor in fees/taxes – Tack on 15-20% extra on top of the ticket price
- Set firm budget limits – Decide what you can realistically afford before you start bidding or buying
- Compare across listings – Shop around to calibrate fair resale value for seats
Bidding wars get heated, so know your limits. Remember, there’s always a next tour. Don’t spend rent money on tickets!
Is it worth buying VIP packages?
Taylor Swift offers special VIP packages with perks like premium seating, exclusive merchandise, backstage tours, and meet and greets. These fetch very high prices but may be worth it for hardcore Swifties:
- Packages run $500-$1,500+ per seat
- Big price jump from regular floor seats
- Ideal for super fans who want exclusive experiences
- Chance to meet Taylor makes it tempting!
- Packages still sell out quickly – buy during presales
VIP packages deliver once-in-a-lifetime memories. But you have to decide if it’s worth the huge splurge. Get details on exactly what’s included before buying.
When are the best times to buy?
To recap, here are the ideal times to buy Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets:
- During Presales – Verified Fan and Capital One presales offer face value tickets
- General Onsale – Still possible to get face value if you act quick
- 1-2 Months Before Show – Resale prices settle after initial frenzy
- 1-2 Weeks After Onsale – Modest markups as resale tickets emerge
Avoid the peaks right when tickets initially sell out and again right before showtime. Plot your strategy in advance and stick to your budget limits.
Conclusion
Taylor Swift tickets will be in incredibly high demand. By following smart buying strategies, setting budget limits, and timing your purchase carefully, you can secure seats at a fair price. Buying early through presales and onsale gives the best shot at face value tickets before supplies dry up. For resale tickets, 1-2 months before the show is ideal timing. Avoid buys driven by hype and desperation. Do your research, shop around, and exercise patience, and you can hopefully join the Swiftie party soon!