Finally convinced boss to get season tix....any advice?

[Forbsey-123]

Finally convinced the boss to pull the trigger on some season tickets. Or at least get on the waiting list. Any advice as to section preferences or just any little tidbits that could help a first-timer out. Are club seats worth the money? Any sections/rows to avoid due to cameras or obstructions in the way or any other BS to avoid?

[Forbsey-123]

Are the Golds, Silvers or Saddledome Grill worth the cash? The boss seems kind of intrigued by the saddledome grill option......do you sit side-by side with a view of the game?

[robaur]

As far as I know, the waiting list is atleast 2 seasons long....for any decent seats...so you got plenty of time to look at your options...

[burn_baby_burn]

You never know. Some of the luxury seats might become available. Hard for companies to keep the club seats when the balance sheet isn't balancing. Also, during the season, the biggest holes are in the club section (lots of no shows). Why would a company pay big money for club seats during an economic down turn when they can't even give the tickets away?

[RM14]

Originally Posted by Forbsey-123

Are the Golds, Silvers or Saddledome Grill worth the cash? The boss seems kind of intrigued by the saddledome grill option......do you sit side-by side with a view of the game?

For the restaurant, your game viewing seats are not the same as where you would eat your dinner before the game. But I think you can get a reserved table for intermissions with your drinks and whatever you need ready for the break. The actual seats are pretty cool though. Its a 3 row blocked off section pretty well at center ice.

The "top shelf experience" is a quality one for business entertainment seats if you can afford it. It comes with dinner, pre-game/1st period drinks, as well as a gift, a 10-15 minute talk with a flames management rep. When I went it was Conroy speaking and was pretty good. Then you sit lower bowl on the end after walking through the event level and enter through he zamboni entrance. Then more drinks after the game.

[anyonebutedmonton]

Originally Posted by RM14

For the restaurant, your game viewing seats are not the same as where you would eat your dinner before the game. But I think you can get a reserved table for intermissions with your drinks and whatever you need ready for the break. The actual seats are pretty cool though. Its a 3 row blocked off section pretty well at center ice.

The "top shelf experience" is a quality one for business entertainment seats if you can afford it. It comes with dinner, pre-game/1st period drinks, as well as a gift, a 10-15 minute talk with a flames management rep. When I went it was Conroy speaking and was pretty good. Then you sit lower bowl on the end after walking through the event level and enter through he zamboni entrance. Then more drinks after the game.

"Thank your hosts, because there really isn't any way to pay more to watch a hockey game"

Loved that line.

[jmac98]

Hey bud, congrats on getting involved and becoming an eventual ticket owner. It's a cool feeling when you finally get the notice you have seats available and get provided your date and time to choose.

In terms of what's best, there's just far too many intangibles to cover. If you're considering all options than I'm guessing $ isn't an issue. My best advise I guess then are two things: #1, head down to the Saddledome this summer and ask one of the customer service reps at the wil call to escort you on a tour of the arena. Alternatively, just pop in on your own during the Stampede as its open for events. In either regard, go spend some time in all the different sections that intrigue you and take some notes to get an idea of what you like, what you don't, Etc
#2. When you get a call to purchase tickets, realize you're not picking from the whole arena for options. You're picking from what's left over. As such, you're not getting optimum seats as a rule of thumb. Perhaps if you're looking at restaurant seats or something this is different, but typically if you're looking at general seating (whites, greens, orange, etc) you're getting the leftovers as you're kind of last in line for choosing. If you elect to pass on seats not like what's available, that's fine, but expect more of the same the following year should you stay on the wait list. Alternatively, if you buy seats that aren't ideal but acceptable for you, you're now on the inside. And with that, you participate in the relocation program each year. That is, before seats are offered to wait listers, they're offered to all existing ticket holders (in order of seniority) to choose first. That then is where you begin to realize seating improvement. Step one then is getting in. Step two is improving your seats each year should you so choose.

All the best and congrats once more.

[jmac98]

Sorry for the typos and grammar above. I posted on my phone while bbq'ing.

[getbak]

With the economy the way it is, it's possible that the Flames saw a significant drop in the number of renewals this year, but in years past, they've been pretty consistent with about a 95-97% renewal rate.

They have waiting lists for each area of the building. I believe you can only upgrade to a suite if you already have Club Seats, and you can only upgrade to Club Seats if you already have Red level seats.

The best waiting list to get on is the one for the Second Level. People with seats in the lower bowl and the third level rarely give up their seats. Most of the seats in the building are in the second level too, so there's more movement year-to-year as some people upgrade their seats, some downgrade, and some cancel.


I would recommend getting on the waiting list for the second level, and hope you get something for next season. If you do get offered tickets, you're pretty much stuck with what they decide to give you. After you've had tickets for a season, you'll get invited to a seat relocation event in May/June. That's when you can start trying to find better seats with a better view and better amenities.

Again, this advice is for how things have been in recent years. It's possible that it will be easier to get tickets this year because of the state of the economy and the team's performance this season.

[mikephoen]

I inquired about moving my club seats and was told that renewal was very high, and selection will be very limited.

[Tailgator]

Originally Posted by Forbsey-123

Are the Golds, Silvers or Saddledome Grill worth the cash? The boss seems kind of intrigued by the saddledome grill option......do you sit side-by side with a view of the game?

The grill seats are pretty great actually - your seats are stools, you sit at a "counter", side by side with a view of the game, a waiter, and bathrooms that are a few steps away and never lined up.

[pylon]

Advice?

Don't be 'turn your back to the play and wave at the camera' guy.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

I inquired about moving my club seats and was told that renewal was very high, and selection will be very limited.

This surprises me. My ticket rep told me renewal rate was down significantly this season. Which also makes sense anecdotally what with the horrible season and the horrible economy.

Maybe club is different.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

I'm confused by this thread. Is your "Boss" an actual boss, like your work is getting tickets. Or does "Boss" refer to your better half?

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

I inquired about moving my club seats and was told that renewal was very high, and selection will be very limited.

I can see them saying that to give the impression that demand is still high. Who really knows.

[Forbsey-123]

Originally Posted by pylon

Advice?

Don't be 'turn your back to the play and wave at the camera' guy.

No worries there.....hate those dummies

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by pylon

Advice?

Don't be 'turn your back to the play and wave at the camera' guy.

be the glass banging guy instead, as it confuses the opposing players when you do that.

[Forbsey-123]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

I'm confused by this thread. Is your "Boss" an actual boss, like your work is getting tickets. Or does "Boss" refer to your better half?

Actual boss at work. I pretty much convinced them that this will be a good investment to promote sales, so they've left it up to me to figure it out. They aren't huge hockey fans so I want to find a spot where they can be comfy and drink and socialize with clients while still getting a chance to watch the game.

So if we went for the Saddledome Grill, we get a table to eat some food and also be guaranteed a spot on the ledge to watch the game?

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

No, you should be the get on your phone and wave to your friend who's somewhere else in the Dome guy. Cause nothing is better than finally figuring out where in the Dome other people you know are.

[Forbsey-123]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

No, you should be the get on your phone and wave to your friend who's somewhere else in the Dome guy. Cause nothing is better than finally figuring out where in the Dome other people you know are.

Oh definitely...but I'll make sure to wave randomly for an hour before I find my friend