The VegasTickets.com Guide to Buying Tickets Safely & Smarter

10 Things Every Fan Should Know Before Buying Tickets

Buying tickets shouldn’t be a gamble.

Whether you’re buying tickets for a concert, sporting event, Las Vegas residency, theater performance or a once-in-a-lifetime event, a little homework before you buy can make a big difference.

For nearly three decades, VegasTickets.com has helped fans attend live events in Las Vegas and around the world. As a member of the National Association of Ticketing Professionals (NATP), formerly the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB), we believe professional ticket sellers have a responsibility that goes beyond selling tickets. We should also help consumers understand how to purchase them safely.

Drawing from our experience serving ticket buyers, here are 10 things we believe every fan should know before purchasing tickets, regardless of where you ultimately choose to buy them.

1. Know Who You’re Buying From

Before giving anyone your money, know who is actually selling you the tickets.

Look for an established business with identifiable contact information, a history you can verify, independent consumer reviews and real people you can contact if something goes wrong.

Don’t judge a seller simply by how professional its website looks. Search the company’s name, read reviews, check its reputation and look for credible third-party recognition.

Professional affiliations can provide another level of confidence. For example, members of the National Association of Ticketing Professionals (NATP) agree to industry standards and provide consumer protections associated with purchases from member businesses.

At VegasTickets.com, we’re proud of the reputation we’ve built over nearly three decades, including our 5-star customer reviews and being named a 2025 Best of Las Vegas Gold Winner for both Best Ticket Broker and Best Customer Service.

VegasTickets Tip: Take a few minutes to research the company before you buy. You should know who is receiving your money and who you’ll be dealing with if you need help later.

2. Make Sure Your Purchase Is Guaranteed

Before purchasing, understand what happens if your tickets aren’t delivered as promised or aren’t valid for admission.  How will cancelled or postponed shows be handled?

A reputable professional ticket seller should clearly explain the protections and guarantees associated with your purchase.

Read the guarantee and refund policies before completing the transaction, not after a problem occurs.

VegasTickets Tip: Ask a simple question before buying: “What happens if these tickets don’t work?” If you can’t find a clear answer, consider buying somewhere else.

3. Know Exactly What You’re Buying

Understand the section, row and, when available, seat numbers before purchasing.

Review the venue’s seating chart and pay attention to any important disclosures, including:

• Limited or obstructed views
• Side- or rear-stage locations
• Standing-room-only areas
• Accessibility requirements
• Age restrictions
• Ticket-delivery restrictions
• Other special conditions associated with the seats or event

Remember that the cheapest ticket isn’t necessarily the best value. Location, view, amenities and the overall experience can matter just as much as price.

VegasTickets Tip: Don’t buy based solely on the section number. Look at the seating chart and understand where you’ll be sitting.  Where you sit matters!

4. Compare the Real “All In Price

When comparing tickets, compare the total price, not simply the first advertised number you see.

Federal rules now require sellers of live-event tickets to display the total price upfront, including mandatory fees that can be calculated in advance.

Certain charges, including applicable taxes, government, shipping or delivery charges, and optional products or services you choose to add, may be excluded from the initially displayed total price but must be disclosed before you’re asked to pay.

This makes it easier for consumers to make a true apples-to-apples comparison.

VegasTickets Tip: Shop using the all in price. If an unavoidable service, processing or other mandatory fee suddenly appears later in the transaction, stop and ask why.

5. Know the Market and Understand That Ticket Prices Can Change

Ticket prices can move up or down based on supply and demand.

The performer or teams, seat location, opponent, event date, available inventory, proximity to the event and dozens of other factors can affect what tickets are worth at any moment.

That also means there isn’t always one “correct” time to buy.

Waiting may sometimes result in a lower price. It can also mean fewer choices or significantly higher prices if demand increases.

Before purchasing, decide what’s most important to you:

• Getting the lowest possible price
• Securing a particular seat or location
• Having the best selection
• Or simply knowing your tickets are secured

VegasTickets Tip: Research comparable seats and understand the market before purchasing. Don’t assume today’s price will necessarily be tomorrow’s price.

6. Use a Secure Website and a Payment Method That Protects You

When buying tickets online, make sure you’re using a secure website and choose a payment method that provides meaningful consumer protection.

VegasTickets.com recommends using a major credit card whenever possible.

We recommend avoiding instant or digital person-to-person payment methods when purchasing tickets, particularly when dealing with an individual or a seller you don’t know.

Be especially cautious if someone insists that you pay using:

• Cash
• Wire transfer
• Gift cards
• Cryptocurrency
• Instant person-to-person payment services
• Or another payment method that may make recovering your money difficult

The convenience of sending money instantly isn’t worth giving up protection if something goes wrong.

VegasTickets Tip: Don’t just ask, “How easy is it to send the money?” Ask, “What protection do I have if something goes wrong?”

7. Make Sure You’re on the Website You Think You’re On

Scammers can create websites, search advertisements and social media accounts that closely resemble legitimate venues, performers and ticket companies.

Don’t assume the first ticket website appearing in a search result is the official ticket source.

Check the web address carefully and be particularly cautious when following sponsored search results, social media advertisements, unsolicited emails or text message links.

One of the best places to begin is the official website of the venue, team, artist or tour. From there, follow its ticket purchase links to see where it directs consumers to purchase tickets for that particular event.

You may ultimately decide to purchase elsewhere, including from a professional ticket reseller. The important thing is understanding who you’re buying from.

VegasTickets Tip: When you’re uncertain where to start, go directly to the venue, team, artist or tour’s official website and proceed to the ticket purchase page from there.

8. Understand How and When You’ll Receive Your Tickets

Most tickets today are digital, and different venues and ticketing platforms use different delivery systems.

Before purchasing, understand:

• When your tickets are expected to become available
• How they’ll be delivered
• Whether you’ll need a particular mobile app
• Whether you’ll need to accept a ticket transfer
• Whether identification or an account is required
• What you should do if your tickets haven’t arrived

Don’t automatically treat a screenshot of a mobile ticket as proof that you possess a valid ticket.

Once your tickets become available, accept the transfer and familiarize yourself with how you’ll access them before arriving at the venue.

When supported by the ticketing platform, adding your tickets to your mobile wallet before leaving for the event can also help avoid connectivity problems at crowded venues.

VegasTickets Tip: Don’t wait until you’re standing at the entrance to open your tickets for the first time. Make sure you know how to access them before you leave for the event.

9. If the Deal Looks Too Good to Be True, Stop and Verify It

High demand and sold-out events create opportunities for scammers.

An unusually inexpensive ticket, someone creating artificial urgency, or a seller demanding immediate payment should make you slow down not speed up.

Before sending money, verify:

• The seller
• The event
• The seat location
• The ticket delivery method
• The payment method
• And the protections that come with your purchase

Scammers often depend on excitement and urgency to prevent consumers from asking questions.

VegasTickets Tip: Missing a “deal” is a lot less expensive than buying a ticket that doesn’t exist.

10. Buy From Someone Who Will Still Be There on Event Day

This may be the most important advice we can give.

Tickets aren’t like most products.

Questions and problems can arise hours, or even minutes, before an event begins. A mobile transfer may not arrive as expected. You may have trouble accessing your tickets. Event details can change.

Before buying, ask yourself:

If something goes wrong at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night, who am I calling?

That’s why customer service should be part of your decision when choosing where to purchase tickets.

Look for a company with real people you can reach, a history of standing behind its transactions, and a reputation for taking care of its clients.

At VegasTickets.com, service has been central to our business for nearly three decades. We’re especially proud to have been named a 2025 Best of Las Vegas Gold Winner for Best Customer Service, in addition to being named a Gold Winner for Best Ticket Broker.

But what matters most about those honors is what they represent: being there for fans before, during and after their purchase.

VegasTickets Tip: Don’t evaluate a ticket seller only by the price on the screen. Find out who will be there to help you if something goes wrong.

Our Commitment to Fans

At VegasTickets.com, we believe an informed ticket buyer is a better protected ticket buyer.

For nearly three decades, we’ve helped fans experience concerts, sports, theater and live entertainment in Las Vegas and around the world. We believe responsible members of the ticketing industry have an obligation to educate consumers, not simply sell to them.

These recommendations build upon many of the consumer protection principles promoted by the National Association of Ticketing Professionals, including its Ten Commandments of Ticket Buying, as well as guidance provided by consumer protection organizations.

Our advice applies whether you ultimately purchase your tickets from VegasTickets.com, directly from a venue or artist, or from another reputable professional ticket seller.

Before You Buy, Remember:

Know the seller.
Know the seats.
Know the real price.
Know how you’ll receive your tickets.
Know your protections.
And know who you can call if something goes wrong.

Then go enjoy the event.

VEGASTICKETS.COM

Nearly 3 Decades Serving Fans | ★ 5-Star Reviews

2025 BEST OF LAS VEGAS GOLD — BEST TICKET BROKER

2025 BEST OF LAS VEGAS GOLD — BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE

Proud Member of the National Association of Ticketing Professionals