Sports

SeatGeek all-in pricing explained: How to avoid hidden ticket fees

Jan 29, 2026

·

Mary Callahan

Buying tickets online can be stressful when unexpected fees appear at checkout. SeatGeek’s All-In Pricing solves this problem by showing you the full ticket price upfront, so you know exactly what you’re paying before you click “buy.” Whether you’re looking for concerts, sports games or theater shows, understanding how All-In Pricing works can make your ticket-buying experience simple, transparent, and stress-free.

What is SeatGeek's all-in pricing?

SeatGeek’s all-in pricing means the price you see on the ticket listing is the total price you’ll pay at checkout. In some cases, local taxes or venue-mandated charges may vary by location, but SeatGeek displays the full total upfront so there are no surprises at checkout.

Traditionally, many ticketing platforms list a base ticket price and then add extra fees later in the checkout process. With all-in pricing, SeatGeek eliminates this frustration and ensures that the price you see is the price you pay.

Why all-in pricing matters for ticket buyers

All-in pricing is designed to make ticket buying transparent and easy to understand. By knowing the full cost upfront, you can compare tickets, plan your budget and make informed decisions without worrying about hidden fees.

This feature is especially helpful for high-demand events, where fees can quickly add up and affect the total cost. With SeatGeek, you can focus on finding the best seat and enjoying the event rather than calculating additional charges.

Benefits of using all-in pricing when searching for tickets

Using all-in pricing provides several advantages for ticket buyers:

  • No surprises at checkout – what you see is what you pay.

  • Easier budget planning – you know the total cost before you commit.

  • Better price comparison – compare tickets across events and venues without guessing the final price.

  • Stress-free buying experience – focus on selecting the right event and seat, not calculating fees.

All-in pricing works seamlessly on both the SeatGeek website and mobile app, making it convenient to browse, compare and purchase tickets wherever you are.

How other ticket platforms handle fees (and why prices can change at checkout)

Not all ticket marketplaces display prices the same way. On many platforms, the ticket price you see at first is only the base price, with additional service fees, processing fees, or delivery charges added later in the checkout process.

This means a ticket listed at one price can end up costing significantly more by the time you’re ready to purchase—making it harder to compare options or stay within budget.

Common pricing approaches used by platforms without all-in pricing include:

  • Base price listings that exclude service and processing fees

  • Fees revealed at checkout, often after you’ve selected seats and entered personal details

  • Variable service fees that change based on event, venue, or ticket price

  • Delivery or fulfillment fees added at the final step

Because fees aren’t always visible upfront, buyers may feel locked into a purchase after investing time in the checkout process—only to see a higher total than expected.

How all-in pricing works on SeatGeek

When you browse tickets on SeatGeek, the price displayed for each ticket already includes all fees and charges. You’ll also notice that the price is broken down in a clear, easy-to-read format, so you know exactly what portion goes toward the ticket itself and what goes toward service fees.

Additionally, SeatGeek combines all-in pricing with other features like Deal Score and Smart Pricing. Deal Score helps you identify tickets that are the best value, while Smart Pricing automatically adjusts ticket prices based on real-time demand, ensuring you get a fair deal.

Does SeatGeek's all-in pricing mean tickets are cheaper?

All-in pricing doesn’t change the actual cost of a ticket, it changes how transparently that cost is presented. Instead of showing a lower base price and adding fees later in the checkout process, SeatGeek displays the full ticket price upfront, including service fees and applicable taxes.

On platforms that don’t use all-in pricing, tickets can appear cheaper at first glance, only for additional fees to “sneak up” on buyers at checkout. This can make it harder to compare options accurately and can lead to frustration when the final total is higher than expected.

SeatGeek’s all-in pricing is built on trust. By showing the complete price from the beginning, buyers can shop confidently, compare tickets fairly and make informed decisions without worrying about last-minute surprises. The result is a more transparent and reliable ticket-buying experience.

Making the most of SeatGeek features along with all-in pricing

To maximize your ticket-buying experience, combine all-in pricing with SeatGeek’s other tools:

  • Price alerts: Track ticket prices and get notified when they drop.

  • Deal Score: Quickly identify tickets with the best value.

  • Smart Pricing: Ensure you’re paying a fair price based on real-time market trends.

Together, these features simplify ticket buying, save you money and make attending your favorite events easier than ever.

How to buy tickets on SeatGeek using all-in pricing

Buying tickets on SeatGeek is simple and transparent when you use its key features, including all-in pricing. Follow these steps to ensure you get the best value and a stress-free experience:

1. Search for your event

Go to the SeatGeek website or open the mobile app. Enter the name of the concert, sports game or theater show you want to attend in the search bar. You can also filter by date, location and type of event to narrow your options.

2. Check the all-in ticket prices

Once you find your event, browse the available tickets. Thanks to all-in pricing, the price displayed includes all fees and charges. You’ll know exactly what you’ll pay before you click “buy,” eliminating surprises at checkout.

3. Sort by Deal Score

Look for tickets with a high Deal Score, which ranges from 0 to 10. Higher scores indicate better value compared to other tickets in the same section. This makes it easy to find the best balance between price and seat quality.

4. Compare with Smart Pricing

Smart Pricing automatically adjusts ticket prices based on real-time market trends. Compare tickets and prices to ensure you’re paying a fair rate. SeatGeek will highlight tickets that are underpriced or represent a great deal, helping you make an informed choice.

5. Use the interactive seat map

Click on the interactive seat map to see ticket availability and pricing across all sections of the venue. This helps you visualize your seat location and identify hidden deals in sections you might not have considered.

6. Set up price alerts (optional)

If you’re not ready to purchase immediately or want to wait for a potential price drop, click “Track Prices” to set up a price alert. You’ll receive notifications via email or push notification when ticket prices change, so you can buy at the best possible time.

7. Select your tickets and purchase

Once you’ve found the tickets with the best combination of value, location, and price, select them and proceed to checkout. The all-in price will be displayed, so you know exactly what you’re paying. Complete your purchase through the SeatGeek website or mobile app.

8. Receive and enjoy your tickets

After purchase, your tickets will be delivered electronically. You can view them on the SeatGeek app, save them to your digital wallet or print them if required. Then all that’s left is to enjoy the event!

📁 Categories: Sports, Theater, Concerts