COSTCO JUST JOINED forces with Tickets
Direct to create
Costcotickets.com, enabling
Costco members to save at least 20 percent
or more off the face value on hundreds of big-name concert and theater tickets, major sporting events such as NBA, NHL and NFL games,
and popular family entertainment events.
“We are very excited about this partner-
ship and the value it brings to our members,”
says Chris Day, who oversees the program
for Costco. “We will bring great offers to our
members that show a value and are consis-
tent with Costco’s goal of high-quality prod-
ucts at an exceptional value.”
“We plan to have a variety of events all
over the country that appeal to all of Costco’s
members,” comments Barry Rudin, president
of Tickets Direct. “There will be a consistent
adding of inventory, such as late-breaking
playoff tickets, and [we will] pass along these
deals to Costco members.”
Day adds: “Many times great tickets
become available at the last minute that
we’ll be able to offer at an amazing value.
The offerings on
Costcotickets.com will be
constantly evolving. We are minimizing, if not
eliminating, all of the ticketing fees that our
competitors have, and there are no additional
fees on our pricing, so you might be saving at
least 20 percent plus any additional fees that
other ticketing companies might add on.”
Because the site is updated daily, mem-
bers will want to check back regularly. The
holidays will bring new and varied offers as
well, like the Radio City Music Hall Christmas
Spectacular in New York City.
More and more major events will be added
through 2017, says Jeff Meyer, senior vice
president of event marketing and sales for
Feld Entertainment, the leading producer of
Disney on Ice, Monster Jam, Arenacross, Marvel
Universe Live!, Disney Live! and Ringling Bros.
and Barnum & Bailey. “Feld has more than
3,000 performances in the U.S. and Canada.
We are excited to be working with Costco to
provide live family entertainment to members
at great pricing.”
Adding Globetrotters games to the enter-
tainment lineup was a slam dunk. “We have
been wanting to work with Costco for a while
now to offer great tickets at a great value to
its members,” says Mike Kenney, of Live Event
Marketing. “Going to a Globetrotters game
is about creating a lifelong memory. We are
excited to bring that offering to Costco.”
Only Costco members can take advantage
of the tickets available at
Costcotickets.com.
Because the tickets are available in “real
time,” members have eight minutes from the
time they click “Buy” to the time of checkout.
All major credit cards are accepted on the
site, although using the Costco Anywhere Visa
Card by Citi lets members take advantage of
the cash-back offers that card provides.
“If the event is canceled, then members
will want to refer to the terms and conditions
on the
Costcotickets.com website and contact
us,” Day says.—LB
museum tours—over a two-week period.
And a “premium” attraction is also included
with the card (in Oahu, it might be a dolphin
encounter at Sea Life Park, where you can
interact and play with dolphins in waist-deep water). One of the best perks? No ticket
lines to wait in; just show your Go City Card
and walk right in. Go City Cards are available in many warehouses and also year-round on Costco.com.
Exciting excursions
“For me, holidays are all about friends,
family and making memories,” says Engen.
“To be able to give a loved one an experience that they will remember for the rest
of their life is priceless. We are excited to
o;er a wide variety of gi; cards for activities
and excursions this holiday season and
beyond, including iFLY indoor skydiving;
ski passes to Mammoth and Big Bear in
California, Killington, Vermont, and
Hunter Mountain in New York; and Go
City Cards for city attractions in 14
U.S. cities and in London. I am so
pleased we are able to o;er our Costco
members a great value on these won-
derful experiences.”
Have a golfer in your family? Give the
gi; of a day on the links this year, for use
now or later. “One of our best-kept secrets is
our golf packages,” says Chris Day, assistant
general merchandising manager for tickets
at Costco. “;ese include many outstanding
local courses around the country in the win-
ter months, and we add some Hawaii options
in the summer. Each package o;ers a mini-
mum 20 percent savings. Gi; certi;cates are
always available on Costco.com—just pur-
chase and download.”
A variety of activities
My daughter is going to squeal in delight
when she ;nds Build-A-Bear gi; cards tucked
in her stocking. ;e women in my life will be
;nding Spa;nder gi; cards under the tree.
Redeemable at more than 25,000 locations
worldwide to redeem a luxurious treatment,
these cards can be used on a vacation just as
easily as in your local area. A spa session beats
an ugly sweater any day of the year.
Costco buyers have been working to o;er
more seasonal events throughout the year,
such as VIP admission to several Halloween
events this past October. Check the gi; card
kiosks for the latest o;erings.
Just about everything else
Who knew that Costco can save you
money on learning how to drive? For just
$34.99 you can purchase a $50 eGi; Card to
DriversEd.com. If you’d prefer to have someone ;y you instead—perhaps over the Grand
Canyon in a helicopter—Costco o;ers a discount on that, too.
And then there’s the gym. I have been
using my baby (now 16 months old) as an
excuse not to go to the gym on a regular basis.
Great ticket
deals on
Costcotickets.com
No more excuses for me: I just picked up a
two-year membership to 24-Hour Fitness
Super Sport for $649.99 (also available at
Costco.com), and I can drop o; my kids at
their Kids’ Club while I enjoy getting ;t.
Select Costco locations also feature gi;
cards to local car wash stations. “We are
pleased that we have a number of new car
wash establishments that have been added to
our offering in the Midwest,” says Aaron
Vella, Costco’s Midwest regional ticket buyer.
“;e regional buyers do an amazing job of
;nding new items and events that appeal to
their local areas,” Engen adds. “Our team is
continually looking for new seasonal ‘spice’
items, or experiences, our members will enjoy.”
From concerts to car washes and everything in between, it looks like Santa will have
plenty of stocking stuffers to give before
enjoying his cookies and milk.
Whether these presents create excitement
or an adrenaline boost, or leave the recipient
relaxed or recharged, giving adventure with
the help of Costco and
Costcotickets.com was
the very best reward I could have given to
myself this holiday season. C
r
of Tickets Direct. “There will be a consistent
constantly evolving. We are minimizing, if not
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other ticketing companies might add on.”
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holidays will bring new and varied offers as
president of event marketing and sales for
a
Universe Live!, Disney Live! and Ringling Bros.
general merchandising manager for tickets
My daughter is going to squeal in delight
least 20 percent plus any additional fees that
other ticketing companies might add on.”
bers will want to check back regularly. The
holidays will bring new and varied offers as
well, like the Radio City Music Hall Christmas
constantly evolving. We are minimizing, if not
eliminating, all of the ticketing fees that our
competitors have, and there are no additional
fees on our pricing, so you might be saving at
