Per Ticket Fees: Ticket Commissions

Ticket Commissions (also known as ticket fees) are visible charges that can be applied to individual tickets using a Ticket Commission Structure.  Multiple sets of Ticket Commission Structures can be built and applied to different Instances. 

A Ticket Commission can be set as a specific amount or percentage of the Ticket price, and can be waived automatically for certain customers online and in the Box Office.

Before you read this article, make sure you are familiar with: 

• Introduction to Commissions
• Customer Eligibility Chooser
• Ticket Types
• Creating a Price List

How do Ticket Commissions work?

Ticket Commissions allow you to be transparent about the fees you charge by clearly displaying them to customers online. 

Ticket Commissions are charged per ticket using a Ticket Commission Structure. 

A Ticket Commission Structure lets you set fees based on:

• A fixed value (for example, $1.50 per ticket)
• A percentage of the Ticket price (for example, 10% of the Ticket price)
• A percentage or fixed value depending on the Sales Channel, Price band or Ticket Type (for example, $5 if the Sales Channel is Phone)

Ticket Commissions are applied to each ticket when it’s added to the cart / basket. Fees can also be charged per transaction, these fees are called Transaction Commissions.

Using Waive Criteria, you can create exceptions to when Ticket Commissions are charged. When a customer or order meets the Waive Criteria, this will override the commission rule and the commission won't be charged. For example, you may not wish to charge Ticket Commissions to customers with an active Membership.

You can choose to display Ticket Commissions as itemised or not in the Settings Interface and this will inform how Ticket Commissions appear to your customers and Sales Users. 

TIP: You may or may not be required to charge Tax or VAT on your Ticket Commissions.
For more information on Tax, read Tax in Spektrix (US and Canada).
For more information on VAT, read VAT in Spektrix (UK and Ireland).

How are percentage-based Ticket Commissions calculated?

Percentage-based Ticket Commissions are calculated based on the Ticket Price as listed in the Price List but can be affected by the following factors:

• Levy
• Offer Discounts

If you need assistance determining how to set up your Ticket Commissions and Offers, use our Commission & Offer Setup Guide App.

Select your currency and answer the prompts to lead you to your recommended setup.

You can always click on Back to change previous answers or click Start Over to reset the Commission & Offer Setup Guide App.

Levy

If your organisation includes a levy in your Ticket Price, you can choose to calculate your commissions based on the Ticket Price with or without levy.

For example, if your Ticket Price is $20 (base price of $18 plus a $2 levy) and your commission is at 10%, you can choose:

For more information on levies, read How to Set Up a Levy.

Offer Discounts

If your organisation discounts tickets using Offers, you can choose how your Ticket Commission is calculated after the discount.

By default, percentage-based discounts are calculated only on Ticket Price including Levy. However, percentage-based discounts can be calculated on Ticket Price including Levy and also Ticket Commissions. This can also affect the Ticket Commission value.

When determining the Ticket Commission value after discount, you can choose to:

• Preserve the original commission (default): The Ticket Commission is calculated on the original Ticket Price. This Ticket Commission value is added onto the discounted Ticket Price.
   
• Recalculate from the discounted price: The Ticket Commission is calculated against the discounted Ticket Price.
   
• Recalculate as a portion of the discounted total: The Total Charge is equal to the discounted price + original Ticket Commission value. However, the values of both the Ticket Price and Ticket Commission are readjusted so that the Ticket Commission is at the original rate.

For more information on Offers, read Introduction to Offers.   

Ticket Commission values can differ between commission and discount calculations. Furthermore, values will differ if a levy is included or excluded from the Ticket Commission calculations.

Take a look at the examples  below to understand how the different settings apply in different scenarios:

• Example 1: Percentage-Based Discount on Ticket Price Only
• Example 2: Percentage-Based Discount on Ticket Price +  Ticket Commission
• Example 3: Fixed-Value Discount
   

Example 1: Percentage-Based Discount on Ticket Price Only

If you are using a Percentage-Based Discount, for example 50%, on Ticket Price  - take a look at the table below to understand how the different settings would affect the Ticket Commission value.

Example:

• Ticket Price: $10
• Ticket Commission: 10% commission
• Discount: 50% off

Example 2: Percentage-Based Discount on Ticket Price +  Ticket Commission

For Multibuy Offers, you can choose to calculate the discount value from the Total Ticket Price + Ticket Commission.

Here is how Ticket Commission can be calculated if:

• Ticket Price: $10
• Ticket Commission: 10% commission
• Discount: 50% off

When Ticket Commission is included in discount calculations, the discount is calculated on Ticket Price + Ticket Commission (for example, 50% of $10 Ticket Price + $1 commission is a $5.50 discount). This amount is then taken from the original Ticket Price only (for example, $10 Ticket Price with a $5.50 discount is $4.50 discounted Ticket Price). For more information, read the Discount section in the Multibuy Offers article.

Example 3: Fixed-Value Discount

If you are using a Fixed-Value Discount, for example $2, on Ticket Price  - take a look at the table below to understand how the different settings would affect the Ticket Commission value.

Here is how Ticket Commission can be calculated if:

• Ticket Price: $10
• Ticket Commission: 10% commission
• Discount: $2 off

How do I set up a Ticket Commission Structure?

Before setting up your Ticket Commission Structure, you’ll need to have already set up all of the Ticket Types you need. Take a look at our Ticket Types article for step by step guidance on how to do this.

To set up a new Ticket Commissions Structure, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Admin Interface > Pricing > Ticket Commissions

2. At the bottom of the page, click Add:

   

3. Give the Ticket Commission Structure a name and description, then choose a type:

   

   
   
    

   REMINDER: When a customer or order meets the Waive Criteria, this will override the commission rule and the commission won't be charged.

   • Global Fixed Value

     The Global Fixed Value applies the same charge to every ticket. The fee will not change depending on different factors.
     For example, if you enter $1.50, a $1.50 Ticket Commission will be applied to every ticket with this Ticket Commission Structure.
      

   • Global Percentage of ticket price

     The Global Percentage uses the same percentage to calculate the Ticket Commission across all Tickets. Using Global Percentage, Ticket Commission  will be calculated based on the Ticket Price. Factors such as Levy and discounts also affect how the Ticket Commission is calculated.

     For detailed information and examples, read How are percentage-based Ticket Commissions calculated?

     There are also additional fields to configure for percentage-based Ticket Commissions:

     

     1. Commission after discount: Select from the dropdown how you want Ticket Commissions to be recalculated after a Ticket is discounted by Offers. Select from:
        • Preserve original commission
        • Recalculate from discounted price
        • Recalculate as portion of discounted total
     2. Include levy in commission basis: If your organization uses levy, this field will appear. Check the box to calculate Ticket Commission based on Ticket Price including levy.

   • Custom Fixed Value

     This custom setting will let you set a fixed value for each Sales Channel, Price Band and Ticket Type.
     For example, $5 if the Ticket is in Price Band A and sold through the Sales Channel of Phone.

     Click Next to go to the Customise screen. Enter a fixed value for your Ticket Types and Price Brands for each Sales Channel by clicking into each of the Counter, Web and Phone tabs.

     

   • Custom Percentage

     This custom setting will let you set a different percentage for each Sales Channel, Price Band and Ticket Type.
     For example, 10% if the Ticket is in Price Band A and sold through the Sales Channel of Phone.

     The Ticket Commission will be calculated using the percentage set for the Ticket’s Sales Channel, Price Band and Ticket Type and will be applied based on the Ticket Price. Factors such as Levy and discounts also affect how Ticket Commission is calculated.

     For detailed information and examples, read How are percentage-based Ticket Commissions calculated?

     There are also additional fields to configure for percentage-based Ticket Commissions:

     

     1. Commission after discount: Select from the dropdown how you want Ticket Commissions to be recalculated after a Ticket is discounted by Offers. Select from:
        • Preserve original commission
        • Recalculate from discounted price
        • Recalculate as portion of discounted total
     2. Include levy in commission basis: If your organization uses levy, this field will appear. Check the box to calculate Ticket Commission based on Ticket Price including levy.

     Click Next to go to the Customise screen. Enter a percentage for your Ticket Types and Price Brands for each Sales Channel by clicking into each of the Counter, Web and Phone tabs.

     

   REMINDER: To charge Sales Tax or another type of Tax on your Ticket Commissions you will need to calculate the Tax and set the price as the total value of the commission you want to charge including tax. For more information on Tax, read Tax in Spektrix (US and Canada).

4. Click Next
   
    

5. Next, specify the Waive Criteria.
   
   Waive Criteria lets you set exceptions to when Ticket Commissions are charged. When a customer or order meets the waive criteria, this will always override the commission.
   
   For example, you may wish to waive Ticket Commissions for customers with certain Memberships. Waive Criteria works in the same way as other Customer Eligibility in Spektrix. Multiple metrics can be combined using the AND or OR rules. To add a metric into the OR section, drag the Metric into the Drop criteria here box:

   

   REMINDER: Using the AND rule to combine metrics will only waive the Ticket Commission for customers who meet both of the criteria. Use the OR rule to look for customer who meet either. 

6. Click Save 
    

Your new Ticket Commission Structure will now be visible alongside your other Ticket Commission Structures.

To edit an existing Ticket Commission Structure, click its name from the Ticket Commissions screen. 

How do I apply Ticket Commissions to an Instance?

You can apply Ticket Commissions to existing or new Event Instances.

When setting up a new Event Instance, add the Ticket Commission on the Instance level using the Ticket Commission dropdown:

If you are editing an existing Event Instance, navigate to the Instance you want to edit, select the Ticket Commissions tab and then click edit:

Alternatively, you can use the Bulk Instance Updater to update the Ticket Commission Structure for multiple Instances at once.

TIP: You can also create a new Custom Commission Structure from this screen by clicking the Edit Custom Commission Structure button.

Can I choose how to display Commissions?

You can choose to display Ticket Commissions as itemised or not itemised. 

To update these settings, navigate to the Settings Interface. 

TIP: To access the Settings Interface, you’ll need the Settings Administrator Role. If you don’t have this Role, ask the Settings Administrator in your organisation to add this Role to your User Account.

Click through the steps below to learn how to update your Ticket Commission settings:

1.  From the navigation menu, click Configuration > System Setup

    

2. From the menu on the left, click Price Lists
    
3. Choose from the following options:

   • Do not itemise commission

     Ticket prices will display as the total including Ticket Commission. For example, if the ticket is $12 and the Ticket Commission is $1.50, the Ticket Price will display as $13.50 (inc $1.50 Commission).

   • Itemise commission

     The ticket price and commission will display separately. For example, if there is a $37 ticket with a $1 ticket commission, your customers will see a price of $37 + $1.

     

TIP: Depending on how you choose to display your Ticket Commission (Itemised or not Itemised) this will display in the same way on any Confirmation emails, Ticket Designs and receipts.

Where are Ticket Commissions displayed?

Ticket Commissions can be visible on your website, in the Sales Interface, Confirmation emails, Ticket Designs and receipts. 

Ticket Commissions will display differently depending on how you have configured them to display in the Settings interface.

• In the Sales Interface
• Online

Regardless of whether you choose to itemise, or not itemise, Ticket Commissions will display on the Seating Plan online and in the Sales Interface.

In the Sales Interface

In the Sales Interface, you can view Ticket Prices on both Reserved and Unreserved Seating Plans.

TIP: Ticket Commissions are not applied until you select a Sales Channel.

Click into each tab below to see how Ticket Commissions are displayed. 

• Reserved Seating Plan: Itemised

  When viewing Ticket prices in the Sales Interface, itemised Ticket Commissions are displayed alongside the price of the Ticket:

  

• Reserved Seating Plan: Not Itemised

  When viewing Ticket prices in the Sales Interface, Ticket Prices are displayed as a total including Ticket Commissions. This is indicated by the use of inc cmsn:

  

• Unreserved Seating Plan: Itemised

  When viewing Ticket prices on Unreserved Seating Plans in the Sales Interface, itemised Ticket Commissions are displayed alongside the price of the Ticket:

  

• Unreserved Seating Plan: Not Itemised

  When viewing Ticket prices on an Unreserved Seating Plan in the Sales Interface, Ticket Prices are displayed as a total including Ticket Commissions. This is indicated by the use of (inc. £2.00 cmsn)*:

  

Once added to the cart / basket in the Sales Interface, Ticket Commission is shown under the Price column and added into the Total (regardless of itemisation configuration):

Online

Itemised Ticket Commissions can be made visible to customers on iframes or Subsites (which use iframes) on both Reserved and Unreserved Seating Plans.

TIP: Your website will display differently depending on how your website is integrated with Spektrix.  

Click into each tab below to see how Ticket Commissions are displayed. 

• Reserved Seating Plan: Itemised

  The Prices section of the Choose Seats iframe displays the total price of each Ticket including Ticket Commission.

  On UK and Ireland systems:

  

  On US and Canada systems:

  

  You can also see the total Ticket price including Commission when selecting Ticket Types on the Edit Tickets iframe.

  On UK and Ireland systems:

  

  On US and Canada systems:

  

• Reserved Seating Plan: Not Itemised

  The Prices section of the Choose Seats iframe displays the total price of each Ticket including Ticket Commission. This is displayed without an indication of Ticket Commission.

  On UK and Ireland systems:

  

  On US and Canada systems:

  

  You can also see the total Ticket price including Commission when selecting Ticket Types on the Edit Tickets iframe. This is displayed without an indication of Ticket Commission.

  On UK and Ireland systems:

  

  On US and Canada systems:

  

• Unreserved Seating Plan: Itemised

  When viewing Ticket prices on Unreserved Seating Plans online the Ticket price is shown as the total including Ticket Commission with (inc. £2.00 cmsn) alongside the price.

  On UK and Ireland systems:

  

  On US and Canada systems:

  

• Unreserved Seating Plan: Not Itemised

  When viewing Ticket prices on an Unreserved Seating Plan online, Ticket Prices are displayed as a total including Ticket Commissions without an indication of the Ticket Commission.

  UK and Ireland systems:

  

  US and Canada systems:

  

• Itemised at Checkout

  Ticket Commissions will display at checkout online. Ticket Prices and Ticket Commission will display separately:

  

• Not itemised at Checkout

  Ticket Commissions will not display at checkout online. Ticket Prices will include Commission but Commission is not visible:

  

You can also hide Ticket Commissions on the Choose Seats iframe and Edit Tickets iframe, showing Ticket Commission only at checkout.

• To update these settings, navigate to the Settings Interface. 

  TIP: To access the Settings Interface, you’ll need the Settings Administrator Role. If you don’t have this Role, ask the Settings Administrator in your organisation to add this Role to your User Account.

  Click through the steps below to learn how to update your Ticket Commission settings:

  1.  From the navigation menu, click Configuration > System Setup.
  2. From the menu on the left, click Price Lists.
  3. Turn on Do not show commission in the chooseseats and edittickets Iframes.

Commission Displayed in Seating Plans

Ticket Commissions will display differently on Seating Plans depending on whether you're viewing the plan in the Sales Interface or on the website. This is regardless of whether you choose to itemise or not itemise your Ticket Commissions.

• On a Reserved Seating Plan online (displayed to customers on the Choose Seats iframe) ticket prices appear as a total without Ticket Commission:

• On the Seating Plan in the Sales Interface the Ticket price including the Ticket Commission as a total price:

How can I report on Ticket Commissions?

Ticket Commissions are visible in the following Standard Reports:

• Payments & Activities Report by user, daily breakdown and detailed.
• Ticket Subscriptions Analysis
• Ticket Subscriptions by Customer

On Standard Reports with custom Report Parameter values, you can choose to include or exclude Ticket Commissions from Financial Value calculations. You can also include or exclude taxes on Ticket Commissions in Financial Value calculations.

If you’re building a Custom Report and would like to include Ticket Commissions, take a look at the Metrics Catalogue for more information on available outputs.

TIP: Ticket Commissions will not be included in the Price Metric in Custom Reports, but they will be included in the Total Charged Metric.

Ticket Commissions in Segmentation

In Purchasing Segments, under the Tickets Wrapper, you can use the Commission metric to identify customers who have paid Ticket Commissions:

Further Reading

To continue learning about Commissions in Spektrix, take a look at the following articles:

• Introduction to Commissions
• Transaction Commissions
• Delivery Commissions