Re: New To IPTAY and Season Tickets

Rock Defender [68]

TigerPulse: 73%

Posts: 11

Joined: 9/9/06

Aug 4, 2015, 1:56 PM

After a few years of buying or getting tickets from friends/family, like you, I joined at the Howard level for my first year of IPTAY (spring 2014). I only purchased two tickets, so I was able to get into the first few rows. My first seat assignment was in TDS, Row E. My intent was to join at the IPTAY level last year, but after speaking with the IPTAY office, I realized I was going to be in the top deck, so I just did the Howard level. I only used the tickets a handful of times last year, so my main intent was to get established in IPTAY. I also took lower level parking in order to be with family.

This past spring, I donated at the IPTAY level. I also bought four tickets this year instead of two. However, I knew the likelihood of getting better seats than what I had last year and getting four together was virtually impossible. So, I worked with the ticket office to write my preferences. Ultimately, I have four tickets all in TDQ, Row C, this year. However, two of the tickets are even numbered ($400 a piece seat equity) and two are odd numbered ($550 a piece seat equity). I didn't mind them not being together, so I was pleasantly surprised to not only have the same section, but on the same side of the field. Regarding parking, I wanted to get closer to the atmosphere this year, so I got my Lot 8 preference.

As a few have already mentioned on here, it is extremely difficult to get lower deck tickets. I'll give you a few pointers I have received after speaking with the IPTAY office the last two years...

First, at this point, you are going to have to donate at the McFadden level at a minimum to have any certainty of getting into the lower deck. The IPTAY office told me Jervey may get into the lower deck last year, but it was not likely. Also, don't think that this is because you are a first time donator. New ticket purchases and seat reassignments are awarded in a sequential process. The first step the ticket office (ticket office does tickets, IPTAY does parking) does is it looks at the IPTAY level of those wanting new/different seats. This is true for all those who donated. That is why you hear of people donating for years and not making it to the lower deck. Since the required donation to get into the lower deck is so high, the issue of whether the donation covers the seat equity is not as important as it was in the past, but this is also evaluated. After these items are considered, priority points can now come into play. Not to throw salt on the wound (I've already accepted it), but in 2013, an IPTAY level donation would get you in the lower deck based upon seat preference.

Speaking of seat preference, this is also a big deal. Trying to get four together anywhere is difficult. Trying to get four together in a prime location will be almost impossible. In fact, when I did my preferences last year, the lady in the ticket office told me that if I ended up with four together in the first few rows of the upper deck, especially between the twenties, I was not going to want to give them up. This is why I focused on getting two pairs instead of four together to get better seats across the board. My suggestion here is, if possible, go to Clemson and speak with the ticket office when making new seat requests. Since the ticket office evaluates and assigns these, it is best to go to the source to get an idea of how your request will be interpreted.

The last statement of going to Clemson also holds true with the IPTAY office. They cannot guarantee anything, but they will usually offer you some general insight based on the information they receive from the ticket office about what level will be required to get into the lower deck. Again, since none of this is known until seat assignments are performed, it is just speculation.

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It is a simple process really. First, everyone who requests their same seats as last year are checked to see if they are giving at the appropriate level based on seat equity. Those seats are then assigned to them. That leaves about 3-8% (2400-6400) seats to be reassigned, most of those are in the upper deck.

Next, they order all requests for changes or for new tickets by current level first, then by point total and start assigning in that order. You would need to be very high on the list to get lower deck ticket inside the 20s.

IMO the seat equity is too low for some sections. People who have these seats won't give them up until they die. They will still buy them and sell them, or let their grandchildren buy them, instead of releasing them.

I give way above the equity level for the seats that I have, mainly for parking, but with the hope of improving one year.

New To IPTAY and Season Tickets