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Home › Pay › Common problems › Event ticket fees
Fees and services

Event ticket fees

Event tickets often come with service fees, facility fees and order fees on top of the ticket price. Since May 2025, a Federal Trade Commission rule requires sellers of live-event tickets to show the total price, including mandatory fees, up front. This page explains what to look for and how to avoid paying more than you need to.

Common problems to watch for

  • Fee labels like 'service fee' that do not say what the fee pays for
  • Countdown timers that push you to buy before comparing prices
  • Resale listings that look like official tickets at much higher prices
  • Ticket insurance or add-ons pre-selected at checkout
  • Delivery or 'processing' fees for tickets sent to your phone
  • Look-alike websites that appear in search results above the official seller

Had one of these happen? Telling others what you were charged helps them avoid it.

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Free and low-cost alternatives

Buy from the official sourceStart from the venue's or team's own website or box office link to reach the primary seller and compare its total price with resale offers.
Free community eventsParks, libraries and local governments often host free concerts, plays and festivals. Check your city or county events calendar.
Library museum and culture passesSome public libraries lend free or discounted passes to local museums and attractions. Ask at your library.

Availability depends on your device and model. AblePro has no relationship with any company named here.

How companies charge more here: Unbundling · Drip pricing · Restaurant surcharges · Surge and dynamic pricing · Fake discounts

What fair pricing looks like

A fair seller shows the full price with mandatory fees from the first screen and explains each fee clearly. Compare total prices, not base ticket prices, across the official seller and any resale site before you buy.

Before you pay

  • Go to the event through the venue's official website.
  • Compare the total price, including all fees, across sellers.
  • Uncheck insurance or add-ons you did not choose.
  • Read the refund policy if the event is canceled or moved.
  • Check the web address carefully before entering card details.

How to cancel

  1. Most tickets are final sale; read the seller's refund policy before buying.
  2. If an event is canceled, check the seller's account page or email for refund steps and deadlines.
  3. If you were charged for an add-on you did not choose, contact the seller in writing right away.
  4. If a seller will not refund a canceled event as its policy says, contact your card issuer about a dispute.

Step-by-step cancel guide for iPhone, Android and PayPal →

Common questions

What does the FTC fee rule mean for tickets?

Since May 12, 2025, businesses advertising live-event tickets must show the total price, including mandatory fees they know about, more prominently than other prices. Taxes and shipping can be added later but must be shown before you pay. You can report sellers who hide fees at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Are resale tickets a scam?

Not always. Resale sites can be legitimate, but prices may be far above face value, and some listings may be invalid. Buy from the official seller first when possible. If you use resale, choose a site with a clear buyer guarantee and pay by credit card for added protection.

Should I buy ticket insurance?

It depends on the cost and what it actually covers. Many policies cover only specific reasons, like illness with proof. Read the terms before you buy. If an event is canceled, you are often entitled to a refund under the seller's policy without insurance.

General consumer information, not legal or financial advice. Reports reflect the experiences and opinions of their writers, not AblePro, Inc. We check reports against our posting rules but do not verify them.