By You’re not alone in feeling sticker shock, as ticket prices just seem to keep going up. The good news: Simple strategies can help you save big on Broadway shows, sports, concerts, comedy acts and more. Here, our money-saving pros share their easy tactics that can cut costs by up to 70%.
Snap up special discounts
If you belong to an organization like AAA, AARP or an alumni group, visit their website and check your benefits. “Your membership could entitle you to savings on baseball games, musicals and other events,” says consumer savings expert Andrea Woroch. Just be careful to follow the specific steps they outline to reap the benefits. AAA members, for example, can score up to 20% off live sports and theater tickets, but only when they book through the organization’s online portal at Discounts.AAA.com/entertainment/aaa-tickets.
Many theaters and sports arenas also offer price breaks to select groups. “Members of the military, students, seniors and teachers often qualify for exclusive event ticket savings,” she says. Savings vary, but you can enjoy 10%, 15% or even 25% off, depending on the venue and event. Some ticket sellers, like Ticketmaster, let you claim the discount during checkout, while others require booking through the venue’s box office. To learn more, call ahead or check the venue’s website for details. Don’t forget to bring proof that you’re eligible for a discount, like your driver’s license or school ID, just in case it’s needed. Save money easily
Planning to buy tickets online? “Install a free browser extension that notifies you about coupons and cash-back offers,” recommends smart shopping expert Trae Bodge. “Using Sidekick from CouponCabin, for example, can save you up to 50% at Ticketmaster and $20 on orders over $200 at VividSeats.”
You can also try extensions from CapitalOneShopping.com, Rakuten.com and RetailMeNot.com. Each of these websites partners with different companies, so one might help you save on a sporting event while another may get you a discount for a concert. As you shop for tickets, simply look for a notification in your browser window, then click the offer to apply it. Says Bodge, “I love browser extensions because you’re automatically alerted to savings instead of having to search for them.”
Nab last-minute bargains
You’ve probably heard of “dynamic pricing,” where the cost of a ticket rises when demand is high, like for a Taylor Swift concert. Turns out this also works in your favor when demand drops since prices fall as well. And there’s no better time to take advantage of this than shortly before an event. That’s because if there are unsold seats, sellers and resellers lower prices to attract buyers. After all, they’d rather sell them for less than not at all.
To find the best deals, check tickets 24 to 48 hours before an event, and compare prices from ticket sellers like Ticketmaster.com with those from third-party resellers at SeatGeek.com, StubHub.com and VividSeats.com.
Prefer to plan farther ahead of time? “Explore all available event times,” advises Woroch. “You can often find cheaper tickets for less popular showtimes, like weeknights or daytime weekend shows. I’ve found better seats at lower prices by attending midweek and daytime Sunday showings instead of on Saturday night.”
Cash in on credit card perks
It’s a great idea to select how you’ll pay for your tickets based on the rewards you’ll earn because many credit cards give you bonuses, like cash back on entertainment purchases. “The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards card, for instance, offers 3% cash back on concerts, sports and theater tickets,” says Woroch. “It also gives you 8% cash back on select events through the Capital One Entertainment program.”
Additionally, you’ll often find bonus offers in your online credit card portal, like exclusive discounts for concerts. Just click to activate the one you want and use your credit card at checkout to unlock the benefits. To compare credit card rewards easily, just head to NerdWallet.com/best/credit-cards/entertainment.
