A few weeks ago ScoreBig.com launched a partnership with Hilton where you can earn Hilton HHonors points for every event ticket you purchase. You’ll earn 5 bonus points per dollar spent and an additional 2,000 bonus points after your first purchase (first purchase must be made by December 31, 2014 and at last $30 or more to qualify). While it is not in place yet, later this year they will also open up an option to redeem HHonors points for ticket purchases (although I’d be surprised if it came along with a decent redemption value).
What is ScoreBig.com? It is a “ticket seller focused on providing savings to consumers for sports, concerts, theater, and other live events.” It allows you to save money on tickets to watch the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, college sport games, broadway shows, concerts, attractions, etc. It is an easy process where you enter the price you’d like to pay and instantly you are told if your offer is accepted. If your offer isn’t accepted you have to wait 24 hours to re-bid on the exact same tickets.
My experience: With the US Open of Tennis kicking off next Monday, I went to the site to ScoreBig.com to see if I could score a decent priced ticket. I was interested in their “3-Star Seating Area” which retails for $72 a ticket. I really tried to low ball it and put in $30 for each ticket, with the assumption that my bid was going to be declined and it was. I was informed that the chances of my bid being accepted was low, but I figured I’d try it out anyways. I wasn’t in a rush to purchase the tickets so I was fine having to wait to the 24-hours to place another bid for the same category seats for the same date.
The next day I put in a bid of $37 and again was denied, however, this time I was told that I could purchase the tickets instantly for $42, which I did. I might have been able to wait another 24-hours and put in a bid for a dollar or two less then the instant price, but I wanted to secure my seats and get them shipped as quickly as possible.
So essentially I was able to purchase better seats for almost the same price as the retail cost of the cheap seats. I also did a price comparison to ensure I was getting the best deal. I could not find tickets anywhere for cheaper in the same section I got tickets for. The only option was if I went a different day when you can get tickets 2-for-1 (but those are only offered a few days throughout the entire tournament). And on top of it all, I was able to earn Hilton points! While I don’t value Hilton points too high these days, I’ll take free points any day!
Also, after my first bid was declined I received an email offering me a $10 off code for my next big. So if you are interested in trying ScoreBig make sure to use coupon code THANKS to get $10 off.
The only negative thing with ScoreBig when it comes to events where you are assigned seats is that you are not able to select the seats. While you are able to select the category of seats you bid on, many people prefer knowing their actual seat before they pay. I personally did not care, but that could be a limiting factor for many.
Disclosure: ScoreBig.com reached out to me asking if I’d review their site to kick off the partnership, and in return give me credit towards a future booking. Please know my review is fully unbiased and the credit given did not even cover my entire purchase.
The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.