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
A promotion (a 2×1, 3×2, 5×4, or custom one) isn't a separate ticket type: it's configured per rate, inside the ticket form. You can do it in two ways, depending on whether the ticket already exists or you're creating it.
While creating a new ticket
You don't need to save the ticket first — you can set the promotion up right in the creation form.
- Go to Event → Tickets tab
- Click Create ticket (or Add ticket)
- Fill in the rate details
- Toggle "Automatic promotion" on
- Choose a preset (e.g., 2×1) or configure manually
- Click Save
On an existing ticket
- Go to Event → Tickets tab
- Click Edit on the ticket you want
- Expand the rate you want to configure
- Toggle "Automatic promotion" on
- Choose a preset (e.g., 2×1) or configure manually
- Click Save
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.
Promotions in the seating map (for seated events)
For events with a seating map, active promotions are now surfaced directly inside the seat selection flow:
- Seating map sidebar: when a buyer is browsing seats, labeled badges show which rates have active promotions. This gives buyers an immediate visual cue — before they even select a seat — that a deal is available for a given rate.
- Rate selection modal: when a buyer opens the modal to choose their rate, the promotion badge appears next to the applicable rate, so they can see the active promotion right at the moment of decision.
This visibility reduces friction and helps buyers make confident purchasing decisions without having to look elsewhere for promotion details.
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. For seated events with automatic promotions configured, staff also see the promotion badges in the seating map sidebar and rate selection modal, matching exactly what buyers see online.
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.
Promotions in automated marketing emails
When Fanzly's AI sends automated marketing emails featuring your events, any active promotion discounts are displayed inside the event card block for each event. The discount information appears with prominent formatting and padding directly within the card — there is no separate offer strip at the top of the email. This gives recipients a cleaner, more streamlined email layout where the deal is clearly associated with the relevant event.
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.
Discount information is shown inside the event card block within the email — not as a separate strip at the top. The discount section within each card is styled with clear formatting so recipients immediately see the offer alongside the relevant event details.
Yes. For seated events with active promotions, labeled badges appear in the seating map sidebar and in the rate selection modal. Buyers see which rates have active promotions directly as they browse and choose their seats.