rlj1010

I was at the first ever Zoo TV show in Lakeland, FL, on Feb. 29, 1992.   Does that count as 'historic'?   

I'm 41, almost 42.

2/29/1992 - Lakeland, FL - Zoo TV arena leg

3/1/1992 - Miami, FL - Zoo TV arena leg

10/3/1992 - Miami, FL - Zoo TV Outside Broadcast

11/10/1997 - Tampa, FL - Popmart

11/14/1997 - Miami, FL - Popmart

12/31/1999 - Washington DC (Bono & Lanois performed One)

3/24/2001 - Sunrise, FL - Elevation

3/26/2001 - Sunrise, FL - Elevation

12/2/2001 - Miami, FL - Elevation

11/13/2005 - Miami, FL - Vertigo

11/14/2005 - Miami, FL - Vertigo

6/29/2011 - Miami, FL - U2 360

(Upcoming) 6/11/2017 - Miami, FL - JT 2017

(Also, I saw Rattle and Hum at the movies in 1988 and U23D about 5 times at the IMAX.... does that count?)

It was pretty easy for the scalpers to circumvent the credit card entry roadblock.    

All the scalpers did was buy up a bunch of pre-paid American Express or Visa gift cards ahead of time, and then paid for the tickets using those cards.

And then, rather than shipping actual tickets, they just shipped the gift cards to the buyers.   The buyers bring the card to the venue, and gain entry.  

Simple as that.

(Ticketmaster terms state that gift cards may not be used for credit card entry events, but it doesn't appear that they actually enforce it.)

Actually, it's very likely that RZ tix are also (ultimately) CCE as well.  That's the way it was on I & E.  You will not "pick up" actual RZ tickets (only the special souvenir one).

As far as I know, the Red Zone is will-call pick up, where you get a wristband, and are required to immediately enter the venue with your entire party.    It's heavily restricted like the credit card entry tickets are, but it's a separate entrance and a slightly different process.

And yeah, you get the "souvenir" ticket, but that's strictly for show, and doesn't actually do anything.  Pointless, but whatever.

How are Credit Card entry tickets being sold on Stub Hub?

The brokers originally buy their "credit card entry" tickets, using pre-paid Amex/MC/Visa gift cards.  Then when their tickets are sold on StubHub, in lieu of actual tickets, they ship the gift card to the buyer. The gift card is then scanned at the venue, exactly like a regular credit card, and then you're in.   It's a bit risky though, while it works, it's technically not supposed to.  Ticketmater states in their terms that you can't put "credit card entry" tickets on a gift card, but they really don't have much of a way of knowing.   So while "credit card entry" does cut down on scalping, it doesn't stop it completely.

I think the whole thing is going to be a major clusterf***.   I've been to arena concerts where they use "credit card entry" for the good seats.   Lines to get in are a mile long, in smaller arenas.   Doing this in a stadium, with the entire field "credit card entry", as well as a good chunk of the lower level, the lines are going to be a total nightmare.

(Fortunately for me, my tickets are Red Zone, and regular will-call, with a special designated entrance.)

I got 4 Red Zones for Miami....

I felt I kinda had to go this route.   When I was younger, I had the stamina to wait all day for regular GA, and get inside the "heart" (2001), and the "circle" (2005), for their South Florida arena shows....  Being right up front was special, but alas, the waiting for hours and hours is simply just no longer feasible for me.

For the 360 stadium show, I opted for lower level seats near the stage, rather than ga, but I felt so removed from the show.  

(Lower level for an arena show is fine.... but for the stadium, it was so disappointing.)

So, this will be my first Red Zone experience.  The price is high... however, I'm choosing NOT to compare it to the regular ga.

Instead, I'm comparing it to the full price, regular lower level seats.

Those regular full price lowers cost $280+fees (which end up like $322 after the fees.)   The $350 Red Zone was already fee inclusive.

So I look at it as.... paying $322 for a lower level seat versus $350 for a guaranteed close spot up front.  

So the Red Zone isn't really THAT much more expensive than the lowers.   And the charity is a nice bonus!  

(In my imaginary perfect world, the shows would be reserved seats on the floor again... I had 2nd row field seats for Zoo TV, and 3rd row field seats for Popmart.   But I guess that's not happening again.)