What Is a "Facility Charge" Tacked onto a Las Vegas Show Ticket?

Heard good things about The Magic of Jen Kramer and when I went to the Westgate site, I was pleased to see her general admission ticket was only $19.99. I knew I 'd have to pay tax, but was surprised (and disappointed) to see they added a whopping $21.85 in service and processing fees, as well as something called, "facility charge." These hidden charges remind me of resort fees. What's the story?

We really liked The Magic of Jen Kramer; we reviewed it in the Advisor, then a few months later posted the review on Vegas With An Edge; Jen recently signed a new two-year contract with the Westgate, so you can take in this bargain magic show for the next couple of years at least.

According to the Jen Kramer pricing page on Ticketmaster as of yesterday, the base price of the ticket is as you say: $19.99.

Then there's a $6.10 service fee (also known as a convenience charge). This is added to every ticket that's purchased through Ticketmaster and other ticket-selling agencies for Jen Kramer; the service fee varies by event and venue.

Then there's a $3.50 order-processing fee. This is a one-time charge no matter how many tickets you buy. This fee is specific to online ticket agencies; it's not charged when you show up in person and purchase your tickets direct from the Westgate box office.

The facility charge is determined by the Westgate (or whatever other venues are sponsoring ticketed events). Some venues tack on a facility charge; others don't. This is how it's explained by Ticketmaster: "These additional fees typically help management operate and invest back in the venues themselves." There is a facility charge for Jen Kramer: a whopping $12.25.

The ticket agencies don't take any piece of the facility charges; they simply collect them for the venue. You'll pay them no matter how or where you buy the tickets.

But the state takes its cut. To add insult to injury, sales tax is collected on the facility charge (but not the other two fees). At 9%, the tax is $2.90, for a total ticket price of $44.74.

So yes, we'd say the facility charge is akin to a resort fee. First, it's added to the base price of a show ticket by the property; second, it's hidden, in that you don't see it until you pay it; third, it's not split with the online ticket agency; and fourth, sales tax is collected on it.

On this site, we list the total prices for all shows with all taxes and fees. You can find them on the show pages; just hover over See & Do, then Entertainment, then click on Shows. So you'll never be surprised by the price per ticket that you'll actually pay.

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Comments

[email protected] Jul-16-2019

Greedy

I love Vegas. 22 trips from Michigan and I'd love to go back, but with escalating resort fees, parking fees, facility fees, processing fees, rising buffet prices.....Las Vegas has gotten too greedy for us retirees on fixed incomes.  That's a lot of money I can spend at our local casinos here. Haven't been to Vegas in 2 years now...no more !

Daniel Banks Jul-16-2019

Deception

I agree with the last comment.  The pricing has become so deceptive and predatory that I end up mad every time I try to have fun.  After about 13 years of regular trips Wife and I are looking for alternative vacation destination.  I tried shopping for some A-list tickets.  After all the work is done, on the last screen, they would try to add $70.  I finally decided to just not go to shows this trip because of all confusion and frustration.  I avoid things I would like to do on the strip because the high parking costs  Then I thought "Why go to Vegas if I'm too pissed to do anything?"

O2bnVegas Jul-16-2019

a way to look at it

I think of:
 - How much I REALLY want to see that show/performer.
 - Whether I would gamble instead during that show time (including time to get ready, walk or drive or taxi to the show--and back, etc.).

I might come out ahead going to the show.

gaattc2001 Jul-16-2019

They should add a line to the :Welcome to Las Vegas" sign:

"Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas!
--plus tax and fee."

Jackie Jul-16-2019

Mad????

The pisser isn't the price of $45 for a show, it's being told the price is $20 and then slap another $25 on top of that.  Let's face up to it here, if you were told the price was $45 up front like LVA tells you then you wouldn't be mad so instead take advantage of all the help they give you.  Ever buy a new car? See the window sticker with all of the additional charges added to the base price?  Same ripoff, you were just being told up front you are being ripped off.  So bitch at ticketmaster for false advertising by not stating all charges up front like a car dealer window sticker.

Ray Jul-16-2019

happens everywhere

While I agree with the sentiment about added charges not being mentioned until the actual purchase, what is not said, is that this is not unique to Vegas. First of all, Ticketmaster does exactly the same things nationwide, not just Las Vegas. And many venues (and casino-hotels) that are not in Vegas charge a "facility charge". Even tickets to baseball games have all these extras charged. We just all need to be savvy shoppers because it doesn't look like entertainment venues are going to change

Question of the Day - 16 July 2019

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