Hamilton Cancellation Line

[casedilla2]

We're not trying to make any extra money and it's totally within the rules of the line. Every time I've done this, it's been a mutually beneficial scenario. If people would rather go with trying to get last minute stubhub tickets then that's totally up to them, I'm just presenting another option that is most definitely cheaper than buying resale tickets in advance, especially if it's important to someone to have good seats. There are companies of people who sit in this line and do the same thing I do but charge additional money on top of the price of the tickets, so if anyone is a scalper in this situation, it's them.

[zombyw00f]

In my book, you are profiting by selling Hamilton tickets.  That is scalping.

[superyan]

zombyw00f said: "Sorry, but looking for 100% markup on your tickets is the exact definition of scalping.

 

"

Which is totally legal in the state of NY as long as you are a certain distance from the theater.   Essentially the other person is spending $200 to have some else wait in line in the freezing cold?  If I have an extra $200, it's a no brainer for me.

If she really wanted to, she could buy the tickets and just drop them off at the StubHub office a few blocks away.

[meepsnyc]

zombyw00f said: "In my book, you are profiting by selling Hamilton tickets.  That is scalping.

 

"

Someone's salty...

In March, I paid professional line sitters about a month's rent to get 2 premium tickets. About a month later, I took casedilla up on her offer and saw the show again after she waited in line for me. In exchange for her line sitting, I bought her tickets. I had no issue doing this, especially when Stubhub was selling much, much worse seats at a higher cost (2-3 times more expensive). I wouldn't expect her to wait in line for my tickets for free, and as previously mentioned, it's a small price to pay compared with the professional line sitter companies, which also charge a premium.

So yes, you do technically end up paying twice the cost of a ticket, but I don't see the problem with this setup, especially given the service she's doing you. As an aside, I HIGHLY recommend working with casedilla :) She's probably the biggest Hamilton fan I've ever met, and her communication was perfect the entire time she was in line!

[kconciatori]

I am considering waiting on the cancellation line later this month and since you know a lot about it I was wondering what time you suggest getting there for either the matinee or the evening performances? 

[dokool]

Just had a chat with the people at the front of today's (1/3) line. Earlybirds got in around 7:30AM. About 20 in line now. Everyone's in good spirits despite the weather, at least!

[harley10]

I am planning on standing in the cancellation line next wednesday the 11th to surprise my girlfriend with Hamilton tickets. I was just looking for some clarifications on some things. If I wait in line and am hopefully selected to purchase a ticket, I will be able to buy 2 tickets even if my girlfriend didn't stand in line with me for the duration of the day. Also, will she have to be there with me when they offer up the tickets in order for me to be able to buy 2 or will they let me buy 2 tickets and wait for her to join me? What is like line looking like these days? Is showing up around 7am for an evening show fine or will I need to show up earlier? 

[CassandraReads]

She doesn't have to wait in the line with you. You can buy two tickets when it's your turn. She doesn't necessarily have to be there, but in my experience they sell the tickets right before the show starts so she probably will want to be there when they call you in. :) 

[LaVieBoheme2]

My friend and I will be waiting in the line for the Saturday matinee this weekend. If anyone else will be there, message me and we can keep each other company!  Or, if anyone wants 1 or 2 tickets, we'd be happy wait for you and bring you as our plus 1's if you're willing to kick in something for our tickets!  Let me know!  We are not professional line sitters, just have Hamilton fans that want to see the show again!

[klebs122]

How much are tickets when you go through the cancellation line?  I am coming into town next Tuesday and would love to attempt the line or potentially if someone is willing to stand in line would be willing to discuss.  Can you let me know how early you got there and if you were successful?  Trying to gauge the timing needed.  Thank you!

[TayTay2]

Headed to NY now. Anyone needing a line sitter for This Friday's show? My daughter and I will be getting there Friday morning and can take you as our plus ones. Send me a pm if you are interested.

[Char8]

Dokool - I was one of the first people you spoke with yesterday 1/3 in the cancellation line at 7pm. :)   The first folks that got there arrived around 7:30AM, all four got in and had ochestra seats.  The next four arrived shortly before 9AM, they also got ochestra seats.  The next two arrived at 9AM and got orchestra seating as well.   My daughter and I were next in line, we arrived shortly after 9AM and we got the last two tickets which were standing room only.   The weather wasn't too bad, not too cold but it did rain all day however, we were under cover.  They didn't start calling us in for tickets until 6:55PM.  They only take two people at a time in for tickets so my daughter and I were called in with 2 minutes to spare, curtain opens at 7:05pm.  We made it to our SRO spots just in time.  (All ochestra seats were 199.00 and our SRO tickets were 40.00 each).   All of the people we met in line were AWESOME!    We even had pizza together for lunch - pretty cool.   I would highly recommend waiting in the cancellation line but get there early.   The police officer that was controlling the line close to showtime told us he thought the first 10 would get in and then it becomes dicey after that.  My daughter and I were 11 and 12 and we made it but were the last two.   Dress warm, bring water and snacks for the line since you'll be there all day.  No one had chairs but we sat on the steps in front of the theater.  We were all under cover too so we didn't get wet.  I would also recommend staying at the Marriott Marquis if you are coming for the night.  It's right next door.    I would get there earlier next time to get seats, my only regret.  Standing was tough after being in line all day but still VERY HAPPY we got in for only 80.00 and saw the show!    Hope this helped!!!!

[ElleBurr]

Just found out a friend won't be able to make it to the city today so I have 1 spare ticket to tonight's performance at 8pm - orchestra T 4. If anyone is interested in buying it at face value ($199) please message me!

[dokool]

Update from today's matinee line: at about 12:10 they offered eight tickets, all unclaimed lotto AFAIK. So including the two box seats that went around 9:30, that's 10 of us who have gotten in so far!

[craynyc]

sweet! What time did the folks in that line start getting there? Also, if someone was standing in line but their other person wasn't there yet, were they allowed to wait for them or was everyone told to go in as soon as the tickets were given out?

[dokool]

craynyc said: "sweet! What time did the folks in that line start getting there?

First trio arrived at 5:20, I got there at 5:45. Basically everyone who was in line by 7AM got an unclaimed lotto.

Also, if someone was standing in line but their other person wasn't there yet, were they allowed to wait for them or was everyone told to go in as soon as the tickets were given out?"

It was early enough that we could buy our ticket(s) and leave to go get lunch or whatever. Both people did not need to be present AFAIK.

[boonanas]

I'm curious... what is the general occupation of most people that do this line?  Like... I guess I'm mostly talking about the local folks... not the tourists that come out and want to see Hamilton during their big trip to NYC. 

Are most of the 'die-hards' unemployed or students?  Would love to know... ASKING FOR A FRIEND

[CassandraReads]

I'm a high school teacher :) 

[labdogs42]

So, what's the best strategy for someone wanting to get tickets?  Is Wednesday the best, since there are two performances?  Should you enter the lottery AND stand in line?  AND keep staking tickets online?  

Lottery winners get tix at $10, right?

Line gets at face value, correct? 

and possibility of last minute resale ticket at anything from $100-$200 each?  

I live in PA, so the lottery is tricky for me from home (timing is too tight), so my best bet is probably to do the line and lottery combo.  I wonder if anyone has won the lottery while in the line?

[CassandraReads]

Definitely play the lottery while you are in line!! The people in line usually remind each other to do it anyway! $10 front row tickets are even better than $200 front row tickets! I have read of at least one person winning the lottery while waiting on the cancellation line.

Wednesdays have been known to get tricky because of the two shows, but if you are willing to spend an entire day in line, you will get tickets any day of the week- it's really all a matter of getting on line super early in the morning. :) 

The only time I have seen people ordering tickets from stub hub or another reseller while on the cancellation line was when they realized that they were not going to get tickets through the line for that night. Or they just tired of the line and wanted to get off of it. 

[labdogs42]

CassandraReads said: "

Wednesdays have been known to get tricky because of the two shows, but if you are willing to spend an entire day in line, you will get tickets any day of the week- it's really all a matter of getting on line super early in the morning. :) "

 

and by "super early" you mean?  5?  7?  

 

 

"

 

[CassandraReads]

Maybe now that it's cold out 7am might be okay, but when we did it this summer we were lining up closer to 4am. I might still line up before 7 for a matinee. These are total guesses, of course. I haven't done the line since November so just really going by what I've read here. 

[Big Apple2]

I have a follow up question on a two-day show like Wednesday.  If only 12 people got in for the matinee show and I'm the 13th person in line and willing to continue to take my chances for the evening performance, do I now become the first person in line for cancellation tickets?

[dokool]

Big Apple2 said: "I have a follow up question on a two-day show like Wednesday.  If only 12 people got in for the matinee show and I'm the 13th person in line and willing to continue to take my chances for the evening performance, do I now become the first person in line for cancellation tickets?"

Yes.

[CassandraReads]

Big Apple2 said: "I have a follow up question on a two-day show like Wednesday.  If only 12 people got in for the matinee show and I'm the 13th person in line and willing to continue to take my chances for the evening performance, do I now become the first person in line for cancellation tickets?

In a perfect world (and perfect line, yes), however, I have been there when things have not gone down like that. Granted, since the summer things have become a little less crazy, but this summer there was NO acknowledged line for the Wednesday evening performance until evening. The "official" line could only begin at 5:30pm. So, although people who did not get in for the matinee show waited around all day, they were not "allowed" to form a regulation line. Then, at 5:30, when the ushers announced that a line was starting, other people could (and did) rush in front of them. 

 

 

[tylergrabo]

My friend and I are going to take our shot at the cancellation line on either Saturday the 28th or Sunday the 29th, and we were planning on arriving at the theater around 7am. On Saturday, there is a 2pm and 7 pm show, and on Sunday there is 3pm matinee. I have a few questions.

- Which day would our chances be better?

- Would it be better if we arrived earlier?

- Are people younger than 18 allowed to buy tickets?

- Do you have any other suggestions to increase our chances?

Thanks!