Free Shows in Vegas

There are scores of shows in Vegas every day and not all of them sell out every performance.  Show people prefer to perform in front of a good-size audience.  Thus, there are companies that provide them “butts in the seats” by offering to their members free tickets to undersold shows, concerts, and sporting events.  Below are three such companies that I know of that offer this service.

First, some general considerations:  You will almost never find free tickets to the biggest shows, i.e., Celine, Cirque Soleil productions.  But I have been surprised with some offers of high quality productions, i.e., Barry Manilow, Blue Man Group.  And there are many “small” shows in town that provide good entertainment value. 

Members must have a local ID and they have to pick up the tickets in person.   Most of the tickets are last-minute options, often same day, but sometimes a day or two in advance.  The number of choices varies considerably, depending on the popularity of the show, the day/time of the performance, and how many tourists are in town. There is always a limited number of tickets and the earlier you see the offers the wider the choice you will have.

All of these companies have specific rules.  You need to go to their Websites and read carefully to be sure their program fits your needs.  For example, some will charge you or cancel your membership if you accept a free ticket and then don’t pick it up.  There are sometime specific age resrictions for certain shows or occasionally small ticketing fees.   

• Show Tickets 4 Locals  – Here you have a choice of a free membership and a premium membership that has a yearly fee.  The free one gives you a morning e-mail blast of show options; the premium members get that e-mail the night before and thus have a wider choice of shows.
• Fill A Seat – This is a newer company and recently had a “Deal” on LivingSocial for a half-price membership fee.  I have friends who go out several times a week to see shows offered through this company.
•  House Seats – This is a well-established company that has a very good reputation.  In fact they are celebrating their 6^th birthday by offering a short-time but super frugal discount on their membership.  From Sunday, November 6, 2011 through Friday, November 11, 2011 you can purchase, upgrade, renew, or even buy gift memberships and get 60% off their regular membership price.  For around $30-$35 you could see innumerable shows for a whole year!   When you go to their Website to subscribe, just before you actually pay, you need to put in this code – HSEATS60 (that’s ALL CAPS) – and the regular price will change to the low discounted one!   (By the way, this company also has branches in Reno/Lake  Tahoe/Sacramento, Arizona, and Austin/San Antonio.)

If you have reviews or opinions about any of these resources – or if you know of other options – please add your voice in the Comments section below.