Insider Tips for Getting Hard-to-Find Tickets
We receive lots of compliments about our insider tips for finding Broadway tickets at bargain prices. Many of these tips, however, don't apply to the very hottest shows that are sold out far in advance. And many folks, especially those who are traveling to places like New York City specifically because they long to see a special Broadway show, concert, or sporting event, want great seats to those hot events that are said to be sold out. So how can you procure those tickets? Here are our insider tips for getting hard-to-find tickets:
Share a Ticket Package
One of the best ways to get into most stadiums and concert halls is to find someone with a season pass or subscription and see if you can use their tickets for the shows they don't plan to attend. Let's face it, many people buy a series of tickets with the best of intentions, but then other obligations arise and they don't use them all. So take advantage of the way ticket packages are sold and see if you have friends, neighbors, colleagues or even recent acquaintances who might be willing to share -- or sell -- some of their tickets. Ebay and Craigslist can also be sources for these types of tickets.
Ask Your Employer
For some people, going into the office is the best way to secure those elusive tickets. That is because many companies buy package tickets, offering some seats to VIPs and the rest to employees who are in-the-know. If you aren't in the former category, do your best to make sure you are in the latter by chatting it up with the folks who control the tickets. We've found that the staffers in control are typically in areas like the Office of the President, Special Events Planning, Sales Management, and Human Resources.
Call the Concierge
If you are travelling, ask the concierge at your hotel for help. Many venues set aside tickets for hotel guests and the concierge will help you make the arrangements. For the best results, ask as early as possible - even in advance of arriving at the hotel. Be sure to tip generously, for this service.
Be an Early Bird
When tickets for a hot event go on sale, the phone lines get swamped quickly, making it hard to get through even if you use speed-dial. Sometimes, though, if you call an hour or so before the official "opening" hour, you'll get right through and the salespeople will take your order.
Last Minute Strategies
Often tickets held for performers' family and friends, returned tickets, and bad credit card orders are released for sale to the public the day of the event. You can buy these directly from the box office by checking in three hours before the performance, again an hour before the performance, and then once again just before the curtain. You might even get tickets a few moments after the show has started. You may need to be flexible though, for example agreeing to buy single seats with the knowledge that you can get together with your group during intermission and after the show.
The Old Standby
Scalping tickets is illegal and buying tickets can be expensive and risky, but if all else fails, it might be your best bet. There are occasionally cases of shady characters murmuring "Who needs tickets?" who are actually selling fakes, so be on your guard. You're likely to do best by seeking out the average fan who is simply trying to unload a few extra tickets and recoup the face value. They often stand right outside the gate, meekly holding their extras.
Share a Ticket Package
One of the best ways to get into most stadiums and concert halls is to find someone with a season pass or subscription and see if you can use their tickets for the shows they don't plan to attend. Let's face it, many people buy a series of tickets with the best of intentions, but then other obligations arise and they don't use them all. So take advantage of the way ticket packages are sold and see if you have friends, neighbors, colleagues or even recent acquaintances who might be willing to share -- or sell -- some of their tickets. Ebay and Craigslist can also be sources for these types of tickets.
Ask Your Employer
For some people, going into the office is the best way to secure those elusive tickets. That is because many companies buy package tickets, offering some seats to VIPs and the rest to employees who are in-the-know. If you aren't in the former category, do your best to make sure you are in the latter by chatting it up with the folks who control the tickets. We've found that the staffers in control are typically in areas like the Office of the President, Special Events Planning, Sales Management, and Human Resources.
Call the Concierge
If you are travelling, ask the concierge at your hotel for help. Many venues set aside tickets for hotel guests and the concierge will help you make the arrangements. For the best results, ask as early as possible - even in advance of arriving at the hotel. Be sure to tip generously, for this service.
Be an Early Bird
When tickets for a hot event go on sale, the phone lines get swamped quickly, making it hard to get through even if you use speed-dial. Sometimes, though, if you call an hour or so before the official "opening" hour, you'll get right through and the salespeople will take your order.
Last Minute Strategies
Often tickets held for performers' family and friends, returned tickets, and bad credit card orders are released for sale to the public the day of the event. You can buy these directly from the box office by checking in three hours before the performance, again an hour before the performance, and then once again just before the curtain. You might even get tickets a few moments after the show has started. You may need to be flexible though, for example agreeing to buy single seats with the knowledge that you can get together with your group during intermission and after the show.
The Old Standby
Scalping tickets is illegal and buying tickets can be expensive and risky, but if all else fails, it might be your best bet. There are occasionally cases of shady characters murmuring "Who needs tickets?" who are actually selling fakes, so be on your guard. You're likely to do best by seeking out the average fan who is simply trying to unload a few extra tickets and recoup the face value. They often stand right outside the gate, meekly holding their extras.
posted by Insider Travel Guides at 1:34 PM
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