You likely already know that not all seats are created equal in the world of live events, whether it's a thrilling concert, an electrifying sports match or a captivating theater performance. However, securing the right seat can significantly enhance your overall experience! Event organizers and ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster typically offer various seating options catering to different fan preferences and budgets. The most common seating terms include platinum, premium, VIP and standard, and they can vary by the venue or organizer. Let’s delve into the differences between these tiered seating options.
Platinum Seating Explained
Ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster often offer a seating tier called platinum, which are prime seats close to the action with unobstructed views. Event organizers set aside a block of seats to sell as platinum, which are not usually club level or box seats. Platinum tickets cost more — often significantly more, than standard seats but are no different in terms of comfort, privacy or customer experience. Platinum seats increase revenue for the venue, promoters, teams and artists at no extra cost to them. Why? Because, unlike VIP packages, no other benefits or perks are typically included.
Platinum seating key features:
· Seats are dynamically priced, meaning the price fluctuates based on supply and demand. Similar to hotel rooms, airline seats and ride-share platforms like Uber, computer algorithms calculate real-time demand and raise ticket prices when demand is high.
· Prices can decrease if demand drops.
· Seats typically must be sold in pairs, with no single seat options available.
· Not all events offer platinum seating.
· If platinum seats fail to sell, event organizers usually release them for general sale. When this happens, fans can end up paying far less for great seats than those who paid the inflated price.
· Presale and other codes aren’t usually required.
· Platinum seats are not resale seats — the original seller offers them. Proponents of platinum seating say this provides fans with a safe way to purchase excellent seats without the risk of being scammed by a scalper. Opponents argue platinum seating is a bait-and-switch tactic that artificially increases demand, offers no better fan experience and is unfair because fans sitting in the same basic seats can pay wildly different prices.
Premium Seating Explained
Premium seats are higher priced and are typically the venue’s best seats, such as box seats, mezzanine, orchestra or club level. They’ll have enhanced views or be close to the action but come with additional perks and privileges. Some venues label their VIP experience offerings as premium seating, so the term can mean different things depending on the event.
Premium seating key features:
· Unlike platinum seating, premium seat prices don’t fluctuate (when sold by the original seller).
· Typically, they come with additional benefits such as more comfortable seats, dedicated/priority entrances and access to VIP lounges, concessions and restrooms.
· Sometimes, they include meet & greet or photo opportunities.
· Seats typically must be sold in pairs, with no single seat options available.
· Presale codes don’t necessarily provide access to premium seats.
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VIP Seating Explained
VIP and premium tickets share many similarities. Some events prefer one term over the other that essentially describes the same thing. The primary difference is that event organizers typically sell or give away VIP seats as part of an overall enhanced fan experience or package. Prices don’t fluctuate (when sold by the original seller). Fans often win VIP packages in giveaways and contests, but they can also purchase them for some events.
VIP seating key features:
· Additional perks and privileges usually include private or fast-track entry, reserved parking, more luxurious seating, access to private lounges, dedicated service staff, food and alcoholic drinks.
· Some events offer different level VIP packages, such as bronze, silver, gold and platinum. The higher levels offer elevated amenities such as complimentary drinks and fine dining meals.
· Often include meet & greet opportunities, backstage passes or pre/post-show events.
· Packages can include souvenirs, T-shirts and other gifts.
· Sometimes transportation such as limousines or even flights are included.
Standard Seating Explained
Standard seating means all you’re getting is a seat in the venue. Event organizers sell standard seats at the lowest prices, but prices vary widely depending on the seat locations. Most venue seats fall under the standard category.
Standard seating key features:
· Prices include just a seat, with no amenities or perks such as free or reserved parking, fast-track entry or complimentary food and beverages.
· Most events allow single-ticket purchases.
· Standard seats can be good, especially if they were originally designated as platinum and were later released.
· Sometimes, organizers will release seats set aside for promoters, artists/teams’ families and friends and other exclusive attendees when the date is near and sell them as standard seats. Prices may be high, but the seats can be decent or even excellent.
· Organizers usually sell standard seats with obstructed views at even lower costs.
· Presale and other codes provide access to standard seats (but not necessarily the best seats).
· Reseller sites such as Seat Geek, Vivid Seats, Stub Hub and Ticketmaster’s TicketExchange are often good places to find standard seats, although you might pay escalated prices.
Many fans complain about unaffordable prices to attend their favorite events, and the ticketing industry is fraught with inconsistencies, predatory pricing, technical challenges and other issues that degrade with the fan experience (learn more about Why It's Challenging for Fans to Secure Live Event Tickets[LR1] in this post.) However, for many, paying higher prices for platinum, premium or VIP packages is well worth it for the elevated, memorable fan experience.
[LR1]Link to Why It's Challenging for Fans to Secure Live Event Tickets post once it's live
