Getting access to presale tickets for your favorite artist’s concerts can greatly increase your chances of securing good seats before the general public sale. Many artists have fan clubs that offer presale ticket access as a membership perk. Ticketmaster is the official ticketing provider for a lot of major tours and venues, making it one of the main sources for presale ticket access. By joining an artist’s official fan club and linking your Ticketmaster account, you can gain access to presales and shop for tickets before the general public.
What are Presale Tickets?
Presale tickets are event tickets that go on sale to select groups ahead of the general public on-sale date and time. Presales provide early access to tickets, giving members better selection and an advantage over the masses vying for seats during a public on-sale.
Some common presales include:
- Fan Club Presales: Available to paying members of an artist/team/theater’s official fan club.
- Venue Presales: Offered to members of a venue’s email list or loyalty program.
- Event Partner Presales: Provided to customers of affiliated companies.
- Chase Cardmember Presale: For Chase credit card and debit card holders.
- VIP Presales: For VIP package buyers with early venue access.
- Radio Presales: Given out by radio stations as prizes/giveaways to listeners.
Access to presales requires a special presale code or link. This grants entry to the presale before the wider population. Presales allow you to shop ahead of the rush, score better seats, purchase hard-to-get tickets, and maximize your chances of getting tickets for high-demand events.
How Do You Get Presale Codes on Ticketmaster?
There are a few ways to get access to Ticketmaster presale codes:
Join an Artist Fan Club
Many musicians and bands offer fan club presale ticket access for official fan club members. By joining a fan club through an artist’s website, you can get presale passwords and links to Ticketmaster presales for their events and concerts. This grants you early entry to shop ahead of the masses. Fan club memberships often come with perks like exclusive content, merchandise discounts, and meet & greet opportunities.
Sign Up for Verified Fan Presales
For very popular tours, Ticketmaster will sometimes use a Verified Fan system for presales. This requires preregistering for a chance to get a presale code. Fans must register, then Ticketmaster will verify and select registrants to receive a presale password by email. Codes are completely random. Registering for Ticketmaster Verified Fan does not guarantee you a presale code, but it can help increase your odds if demand exceeds supply.
Check Presale Password Websites
Some presale code websites like Presale Password Info aim to share presale passwords sourced from fan club emails, sponsors, radio contests, etc. While using third-party code sources is hit or miss, they provide another option for finding passwords if you aren’t part of any official pre-sales. Verify the source before using any shared presale codes.
How to Access Presales on Ticketmaster
Once you have a valid Ticketmaster presale code, here are the steps to shop a presale:
- Visit Ticketmaster and search for the event you want tickets for.
- On the event page, click “See Tickets.” This will reveal available ticket types.
- Select the ticket(s) you want and click “Next.”
- Choose your delivery method: delivery, print-at-home, or digital tickets.
- Enter your presale code when prompted.
- Finish entering your payment details and billing information.
- Submit your order. Congrats, you just scored presale tickets!
Key tips for Ticketmaster presales:
- Have accounts set up in advance to speed through checkout.
- Be logged in and on the event page several minutes before the presale starts.
- Refresh right at the presale start time for access.
- Shop right away once presales open as tickets sell fast.
- Don’t share presale codes publicly – this cancels their access.
- If you find a code isn’t working, try an alternate presale code if you have one.
Following these steps and tips will help you get through Ticketmaster presales smoothly and successfully. The key is having the right presale code for early access.
How to Get Fan Club Presale Codes
For dedicated fans, joining an artist’s official fan club is the best way to get reliable access to Ticketmaster presales. Here are some tips for getting fan club presale passwords:
Register on the Artist’s Website
The first step is to register and/or purchase an official fan club membership through the musician’s website. Fan clubs may be run in-house by an artist’s team and label, or outsourced to companies like Artist Arena or JD Preferred Access. Memberships often run $20-60 per year. Perks range from basic email newsletters to VIP experiences depending on the membership tier. When you register, opt-in for communications/emails. This ensures you receive presale links and codes.
Follow Social Media Accounts
Artists will often announce presales on social media channels like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram leading up to the event. Enable notifications so you never miss an on-sale announcement. Some fan clubs operate primarily through closed Facebook groups where members discuss upcoming events and share codes. Request to join the official Facebook fan group when you sign up.
Check Emails Regularly
Once registered, routinely check your inbox. Fan club emails will contain initial registration confirmations, presale links and passwords, sometimes multiple emails if there are various presales. Don’t overlook fan club emails – check spam folders too. Presale codes are typically sent 24-48 hours before the presale begins. Add the fan club/artist email to your contacts so emails arrive reliably.
Follow Up if You Don’t Get a Code
If you still don’t receive a code after signing up, follow up with the fan club team. There may be a hold up with receiving codes for new members until registrations are processed. Politely email or tweet the fan club’s account noting you registered but haven’t received presale information. They can confirm your status and resend access codes.
Following these best practices ensures you get fan club sale notices and early ticketing access as a member perk.
Tips for Ticketmaster Fan Club Presales
Mastering Ticketmaster presales takes some strategy and planning. Use these pro tips when shopping Ticketmaster fan presales:
Boost Your Presale Odds
Competition is fierce due to limited quantities. Give yourself the best shot by:
- Joining fan clubs for all your must-see artists.
- Following artists and fan clubs on all social channels.
- Turning on notifications so you never miss a presale alert.
- Registering for Ticketmaster Verified Fan when available.
- Researching presale dates and verifying your login info is up to date in advance.
Be Ready to Shop
Have all your fan club presale codes, Ticketmaster account details, and payment info handy before the presale begins. Be logged into Ticketmaster 10-15 minutes early and refresh right at the start time to be one of the first in the waiting room.
Buy Immediately
Once you gain access, quickly choose your section and desired number of tickets. Scan the seat map and price levels to find deals. Add tickets to your cart fast and get through checkout ASAP before tickets sell out or prices jump.
Aim for Best Available Seating
Don’t waste time trying to cherry pick exact seats. Opt for “best available seating” when choosing ticket quantities to be put in the best remaining spots instead of risking sold out inventory. Refine locations once tickets are secured if needed.
Using these Ticketmaster strategies along with fan club presale codes will help you snag seats to top tours before the general public gets access.
How to Link Your Ticketmaster and Fan Club Accounts
Linking your Ticketmaster account with a fan club membership provides optimal convenience for presales. Your accounts will interconnect, allowing seamless ticket purchasing. Here’s how to link accounts:
Create or Log Into Your Ticketmaster Account
Visit ticketmaster.com and click “Sign In” or create an account if needed. Enter your email, password, and zip code to log into your Ticketmaster account.
Visit the Fan Club Website
Go to the musician’s official fan club website and sign up for an account if you haven’t yet. Make sure you use the same email for both your Ticketmaster and fan club account.
Look for Account Linking Options
When registering for the fan club, check for checkbox options to link your Ticketmaster account. There is usually verbiage like “Yes, I want to link my Ticketmaster account to my fan club profile.” Simply check the box and the accounts will sync up.
Follow Linking Instructions
If there is no obvious checkbox, look for messaging about linking accounts under account settings. There may be instructions to copy and paste a short verification code from Ticketmaster into the fan club account to approve the pairing.
Once connected, you can access fan club presales directly through your Ticketmaster account. Linking provides a seamless presale experience.
The Benefits of Linking Accounts
Linking your Ticketmaster account to an artist fan club membership provides some nice perks:
Easy Presale Access
Linked accounts streamline entering presale codes and allow direct presale access through your Ticketmaster account without any extra steps.
Fewer Forgotten Passwords
You won’t need to remember multiple passwords. Use your Ticketmaster login to access fan presales without any special passwords or codes.
Hassle-Free Checkout
Your payment card, shipping address, and account details are stored in Ticketmaster, expediting checkout.
Faster Checkout Times
With your information pre-populated at checkout, you can swiftly complete purchases before presale tickets sell out to other fans.
Linking accounts makes accessing Ticketmaster presales essentially effortless every time your favorite act goes on tour.
Getting Presale Alerts from Bandsintown
In addition to joining fan clubs, using the Bandsintown app is a great way to get notifications about presales for the bands you follow. Here’s how it works:
Download the Bandsintown App
Download the free Bandsintown app for iOS or Android. The app aggregates tour dates, presale alerts, and updates from hundreds of thousands of artists.
Follow Your Favorite Artists
Search for artists you like and click “Follow” on their page. This ensures their tour schedules automatically sync to your Bandsintown profile.
Turn on Device Notifications
In your device settings, enable push notifications from the Bandsintown app. This allows real-time alerts to be sent to your phone when artists you follow announce presales.
Wait for Presale Alerts
Once presales are announced, you’ll receive a notification from Bandsintown with the presale date, time, link, and any codes needed to purchase tickets before the general public.
Bandsintown is a convenient tool for never missing a presale. The app does the work of monitoring all your artists and alerting you the moment new tour dates and presales go live.
Using Presale Codes for Sold Out Shows
If an event is sold out, all hope for tickets isn’t lost. Presale codes can sometimes reopen access:
Check Fan Club Emails
Often bands will release additional tour dates after the initial on-sale due to demand. Fan club members will receive emails about newly announced shows along with new presale code options.
Try the Original Presale Codes Again
Certain presale codes are reusable and can regain access if another allotment of seats is released. Try the old presale code again closer to the show date to check for new ticket inventory.
Watch Social Media for Presale Updates
Artists will post on social media if new concert dates are added and share presale details with fans. Set notifications on band social accounts to stay updated.
Utilize Waitlists and Ticket Exchanges
Platforms like Ticketmaster and AXS offer waitlists and ticket exchanges for sold out shows. This allows fans to relist extra tickets or request tickets if more are released.
Checking fan club communications routinely, monitoring social media, and leveraging waitlists can help score seats even when shows are sold out. Persistence and timing is key for scooping up tickets.
Using Presale Codes Strategically
To maximize your presale success, use these strategic tips:
Research Presale Details Extensively
When a tour is announced, dig for any presale dates, times and ticket limits. Official announcements contain the most accurate info. Investigating presale details helps strategize and prepare.
Be Ready on Multiple Devices
Have mobile and desktop browsers queued up and logged in 10 minutes prior. Use as many devices/platforms as you can to increase chances if codes have limits.
Act Fast Once Sales Start
Refresh the event page at the exact presale start time to request a place in line. Rush through purchasing quickly before tickets vanish from your cart.
Compare Prices and Sections
Toggle between ticket levels and checkout prices. Lower bowl and floor seats go fastest. Consider less pricey upper level or Premier seats to avoid spending exorbitantly.
Mastering these time-tested presale techniques will help you checkout smoothly, score great seats, and get the edge over the competition.
Common Presale Code Errors and How to Troubleshoot
Despite best efforts, you may run into some common presale code errors. Don’t panic. Here are some frequent issues and troubleshooting tips:
Code Not Recognized
Double check the presale code entered matches the email/source exactly. Some have specific capitalizations and alphanumeric sequences that must be precise. Contact the source for a code reissue if needed.
Code Expired
Presale codes typically work for short windows, usually 24-48 hours max. Use the codes as soon as you receive them before they expire. Check fan club emails regularly for new codes if any are outdated.
Code Over Limit
To discourage sharing, codes often have usage limits. If you receive a message about exceeding the limit, you’ll need to obtain an additional code to gain reentry.
Access Denied
Certain presales require you to be signed into a verified fan club account first before codes will function. Ensure you are logged into the correct account that the code is linked to.
Staying calm and retrying with new codes will help overcome any presale roadblocks. Having backup codes and accounts provides the greatest flexibility.
Conclusion
Scoring access to presale tickets, especially through Ticketmaster for major concerts and events, provides huge advantages for securing great seats. By joining fan clubs, linking your accounts, vigilantly following presale announcements and strategically shopping early, you will get ahead of the pack. Mastering the presale game takes diligence but yields the reward of locking in tickets to see your favorite acts and shows before anyone else. When the next big tour is announced, you will be poised to earn a coveted spot in the virtual waiting room thanks to insider presale tips and tricks.
