Hidden Ticketing Fees Checklist Before You Sign Anything

Ticketing platforms are very good at showing you one number on their pricing page and charging you a different number on your invoice. It's not always malicious—sometimes the pricing is genuinely complicated—but the result is the same: you end up paying more than you budgeted.

This checklist exists so that doesn't happen. Before you sign a contract or commit to a plan, run through every item below.

Per-Ticket Fees

• What is the stated per-ticket fee? Is it flat, a percentage, or both?
• Does the fee change based on ticket price? Some platforms use tiered rates.
• Is there a minimum fee per ticket? Even percentage platforms sometimes have a floor.
• Does the fee apply to complimentary tickets? Some platforms charge fees on $0 tickets.
• Are fees different for GA vs. reserved seating vs. VIP?

Per-Order Fees

• Is there a per-order (per-transaction) fee? This is separate from per-ticket.
• Does the per-order fee scale with order size?

Payment Processing

• Is credit card processing included or extra? This is the most common surprise. A platform might advertise "$1.00 per ticket" then add 2.9% + $0.30 on top.
• Are there fees for refunds? Do you eat the original processing fee plus a refund fee?
• Is there a chargeback fee? Some platforms pass along $15–$25 per dispute.

Payout Timing

• When do you get paid? Before the event, after, or rolling? The range is enormous—some platforms pay within a week of the event; others hold funds for 30 days.
• Is there a fee for faster payouts?
• Is there a payout minimum?

Feature-Based Fees

• Does reserved seating cost extra? Interactive seat maps are core for performing arts venues, yet some platforms charge a premium.
• Is email ticket delivery included?
• Is phone-based scanning included? Some platforms require you to rent hardware.
• Are custom event pages included, or gated behind a higher tier?
• Is there a per-event setup fee?
• Are analytics and reporting included?

Contract Fees

• Is there a monthly or annual subscription? What happens during months with no events?
• Is there an early termination fee?
• Are price increases locked during your contract?
• Is there an onboarding or setup fee?

The Buyer's Side

• What does the buyer see at checkout? Ask for a screenshot with all fees visible. The buyer experience reflects on your venue.
• Can you absorb fees into the ticket price?
• Can you pass fees transparently? Read more in Passing Fees to Buyers Without Looking Greedy.

How to Use This Checklist

Step 1: Pick two or three platforms. Pull up their pricing pages and terms of service.

Step 2: Go through every checkbox for each platform. If you can't find the answer on their website, email sales. If they won't give a straight answer, that's your answer.

Step 3: Calculate your total annual cost based on expected volume and average ticket price. Don't use their calculator—do your own math. See How Much Should Ticketing Cost in 2026? for benchmarks.

Step 4: Compare total cost, not just per-ticket fee. A platform with a lower per-ticket fee but a monthly subscription and payout delays might cost more overall than a simple flat-fee model.

A Note on Transparency

The best ticketing platforms make their pricing boring. One fee, clearly stated, that covers everything you need.

EventTicketGo charges $0.79 per ticket, flat. Reserved seating, email tickets, phone scanning, and organizer tools are included. Payouts happen in approximately seven business days. No subscription, no setup fee, no contract.

Not every platform needs to work that way—but every platform should explain its pricing just as clearly. If you need a spreadsheet to understand what you'll pay, keep looking.

Ready to compare? Create a free organizer account and run the numbers on your next event. Browse the organizer directory to see how other venues set up their shows.

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