Automatic ticket promotions
Automatic promotions apply quantity-based discounts at checkout without requiring a code. When a buyer selects enough tickets, the discount kicks in automatically.
Different from discount codes: codes require a buyer to enter something; automatic promotions are invisible and just work. See Event discounts for code-based discounts.
Configuring a promotion
Promotions are configured per rate, inside the ticket edit form.
- Go to Event → Tickets tab
- Click Edit on any ticket
- Expand the rate you want to configure
- Toggle "Automatic promotion" on
- Choose a preset or configure manually
- Click Save
You can configure a promotion while creating a new rate — you don't need to save it first.
Promotion types
Quick presets
| Preset | How it works |
|---|---|
| 2×1 | Buy 2, 1 is free (100% off the cheaper one) |
| 3×2 | Buy 3, pay 2 (33% off) |
| 5×4 | Buy 5, pay 4 (20% off) |
Custom configuration
Set your own rules:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Group size | How many tickets trigger the promotion |
| Discounted tickets | How many get the discount per group |
| Discount % | Percentage off the discounted tickets |
Example: Group size 4, discounted tickets 1, 30% off → every 4th ticket gets 30% off.
Groups repeat: buying 8 with a 2×1 gives you 2 free tickets, not 1.
Pausing promotions
Turn the switch off and save. Buyers no longer see the promotion or get the discount, but the configuration stays available so you can re-enable it later.
What buyers see
If a rate has an active promotion, a badge appears on the event page — for example, "2×1 available". Buyers see the discount applied automatically in the checkout summary once they reach the minimum quantity. No code entry needed.
What box office staff see
In the Sell tab, the Sell button shows a breakdown of any applied promotions — label and discount amount — before confirming the sale. The live price preview already reflects the discounted total.
The same applies to seating map sales: the action bar and confirmation panel show the applied promotions.
Promotions in the tickets table
When a rate has an active promotion, a chip (e.g., 2×1) appears:
- In the collapsed rate row inside the ticket edit form
- In the expandable rate rows of the tickets table
This lets you see at a glance which rates have active promotions.
Stacking rules
| Scenario | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Promotions on different rates | Both apply independently |
| Multiple promotions on the same rate | Only the strongest one applies |
| Active discount code | Automatic promotions are skipped — the code wins |
| Active membership discount | Automatic promotions are skipped — the membership discount wins |
In short: automatic promotions don't stack with codes or membership discounts. The system picks the best single discount for the buyer.
Tickets and reports
- PDFs: Free tickets generated by a promotion show $0. The promotion label (e.g., "2×1") appears on the ticket.
- Purchase detail: Each ticket line shows the promotion applied and the discount amount.
- Revenue reports: All reports (bordereaux, sales breakdown, payouts) use the actual paid amount, not the catalog price.
FAQs
No. They apply automatically when the buyer selects the right quantity. No code entry needed.
Yes. Each rate has its own independent promotion configuration.
The discount code takes priority. Automatic promotions are skipped when a code (or membership discount) is active.
2 free. The promotion repeats: 1 paid + 1 free, then 1 paid + 1 free again = 4 tickets total, 2 at full price, 2 free.
Yes. Staff see the applied promotion and discount amount in the Sell button before confirming. Works for both general admission and seating map events.
Yes. If a buyer picks tickets from Rate A (which has 2×1) and Rate B (which has 3×2), both promotions apply independently.
Yes. The promotion label (e.g., "2×1") appears on the PDF, and free tickets show $0 instead of the catalog price.
Yes. Toggle the promotion off and save. The configuration is preserved — just toggle it back on to reactivate.
Reports use the actual amount collected. For a 5×4, the buyer pays 4 tickets, so the 5th shows as $0. Your payout is calculated on the 4 tickets actually paid.