SonnyandSam

Ten years ago I had tantrums with the TO when I was continuously told there was "nothing available" in the lower level unless I wanted to join the TG Club. It didn't matter that I had seats in 401 dating back 50 years, through all three stadiums; it made no difference that my grandmother was in her 80s (still her tickets actually) and had trouble walking up the ramps, etc. Seniority carried zero weight bc the records of tenure were lost, blah blah blah. My sense of entitlement as a spoiled rotten RFK STH made me want to strangle someone with the treatment I got in Landover.:mad:

Glad I got schooled on whats what with the ticket market bc I couldn't be happier about my ticket situation today.

:helmet:

I'm still shocked the Skins lost the STH records in the move from RFK to FedEx. How could you lose such a valuable resource? Now THAT I could understand being pissed about.

---------- Post added June-24th-2012 at 07:26 PM ----------

So I got upgraded from section 433, row 19 to row 14 in the same section. I didn't indicate that I was willing to take a price increase, and my invoiced amount hasn't changed from the $704 per ticket. Does this mean they're giving me this year of better seats "free" and will jack up my price next year?

Sounds like you need to call the TO tomorrow.

I also agree with HOF44. And Skinskai, I don't think my post was harsh at all. You admitted you got a nice upgrade last year and now you are so angry you plan to not renew. Frankly, when you first posted, I held back and did not post right away because what I wanted to say was pretty harsh. Thought my eventual post was pretty measured considering the temper tantrum of a post you made.

I don't get this sense of entitlement that some of you have. The Redskins clearly state that an upgrade is not guaranteed. The auto upgrade software and manual process attempts to work with your preferences as you have stated. If there are no seat openings near your current row in the section next to you, then how the hell are they supposed to move you to a new seat? It is common knowledge that as you move near the 50 yard line that fewer and fewer seats open up; and it's worse on the home side than the visitor side. We have a shiny new QB that has created a lot of enthusiasm and hope which likely encouraged a lot of STHs to retain their seats.

I understand the frustration. Lots of people want to sit on the 50 yard line. But then it is that demand for those seats that means that fewer seats are available. Some of us need to grow up and get a little reasonable.

Only if you can catch me you old geezer!

I was upgraded from Sect 139 to Sect 141 in 2009. I believe that was the year before the auto upgrades started, but I'm not sure about that.

There's a reason I park in the handicapped/disabled/old fart parking lot! :evilg:

Glad to see you are still lurking....

I wanted to let yall know I did get the offer for moving to the sideline in 2013....

Basically I have to excerise my option by Jan 31 2013, stating in a letter I want to get sideline seats between the 20's.....

If they arent able to move all 4 together, i stay in the club at lower level price... not a bad gig if they cant move me....

And that did happen to a few people a couple years ago. I remember posts from folks who took the club seat route and got "stuck" in the club seats for at least one year at the LL price. It really is a sweet deal if you got that one time lump of cash.....kind of like an inexpensive PSL now that I think about it. Just think, you are paying about $4,500 for 4 LL seats when a PSL for those seats in other NFL stadiums would cost $40-100,000. NOW it really is a sweet deal.

---------- Post added June-22nd-2012 at 05:58 PM ----------

DButz65 and SkinsNatsFan were upgraded to some pretty sweet sideline seats in the last couple years. I believe they were between the 30's. But is is very rare.

And every time SkinsNatsFan complains about not getting upgraded from the 40 yard line to the 50 yard line, I want to :redpunch:: him upside the head . We'll see if he's awake........:silly:

It almost seems pointless to move to the LL when they are offering these deals. If your goal is to get to the LL midfield; it wont happen. most likely you'll make your way around the corner and get stuck at the 10 yard line while all these other club owner cash in on this deal. it would make more sense to lower the club seats a bit more and not offer this deal.

But then you have to lower the price for everyone in those sections. Creating sweetheart deals like the LL upgrade option only pisses a few of us off here on the message board where we share information. MOST STHs (GA or premium) have no clue what is really going on with the details of seat assignments.

I have no illusions of ever sitting on the 50 yard line in the LL. I would be quite happy at the 10-20 yard line at some point. I started on the goal line UL. Now I'm corner end zone LL and quite happy. Corner end zone are even less desirable than end zone IMHO; but it is still better than my UL seats in row 5 were. Of course, I WANT to move to the sideline......

Half the teams in the NFL now have PSLs and the cost of buying someone's PSL in the LL means that you would always be in the upper deck. So Skins fans don't have it as bad as a lot of fans around the NFL. We are fortunate that JKC refused to go the PSL route when it was the new and popular thing for stadium financing. It gave us 25 years of no PSLs.

Now if all those rich DMV people would start buying club seats at full price, some of us could move over to the sideline!

Problem is....a lot of that wealth is now in the hands of Asians, Indians and other foreign people who have no vested interest in the Redskins or NFL football. I'm still amazed when I step inside a mall like Tysons Corner....I feel like I'm visiting the United Nations; and I definitely feel like I'm in the minority (speaking as a white male). And before I get flamed by someone.....I'm just making an observation compared to 35+ years ago when I grew up in NOVA. Not saying there is anything wrong about folks from other countries moving to or living in the USA. That' s how we became a great country. The area always had a lot of money; it has just changed hands some.

Ok, well that stinks, I emailed the ticket office to find out if when they did the seat moves they took into acco**** the 3 other comparable sections (428, 401 or 454) they said no, They said next year I need to call and specifically state I'd like to be moved down but will settle for any of the 4 midfield sections rather then just saying move me lower in my current section.

Yeah, the upgrade process is software driven so when your name pops up, it looks to the next section nearest the 50 yard line to see if seats in your general row area are available. Not sure how they handle special requests such as you are asking to be considered for comparable locations or my situation where I asked to be "downgraded" from section 108 to the 200 level. They put me in section 207. But I had also asked to be sent down the other side of the sideline but still on the home side. I only got half my request. I have to say, I have had a special seat request along with the auto upgrade program on my account for two of the three years and they were able to give me something that met my request.

I know the results are frustrating for some but only a few years ago, some people never got upgraded ever for years while new STHs got assigned better seats or folks who called the TO got major upgrades if they got the right agent; and there was no one upgrading to the lower level. Not perfect but it is better than it was.

The only thing bugging me right now based on what we are reading/being reported is the buy club seats for one or two years to make you eligible for sideline LL seats. I thought that scam was behind us but it seems alive and well. I understand from the money standpoint why the Skins/Danny are doing that. The club seat revenue is 100% Danny's where he has to share 34% of the GA seat revenue with the visiting team. Until the team improves enough and the economy takes off, these kinds of club seat deals are going to continue.

Well, money aside, I was more speaking to the fact that (and this is just my understanding) the players/coaches/refs/media/etc are all standing right in front of you blocking your view.

I also thought that the dream seats are part of the cause for the entire lower level sideline sections standing for majority of the game?

To me, that = garbage. For the money you pay for them your view shouldn't be blocked.

I think thats 'for the most part', and there are exceptions to certain areas of the field. Please correct me if I'm wrong

On the sidelines, if you are willing to stand the entire game, then you can see the play on the field. Might not be able to see some stuff on the near sideline. End zone and most of the corner end zone dream seats can watch the game sitting down. And yes, all those dream seat folks force the sideline 100 section folks to stand all game also. That is why I moved to the 200 level this year Woo Hoo!!!!

Certainly, one should not have to stand all game long to enjoy and watch a football game when you spent that much money. Just like some obstructed view seats are actually pretty damn good, IF you know what you are getting into, the dream seats are OK....just not my cup of tea. We'll have to agree to disagree about how bad those seats are. :cool:

I'm trying to put together a list of sites... My idea is to have a general list of sites/stores that offer quality products without charging way too much. IE: I'm not looking for sites with redskins branded chairs, tables, and drink holders, but more tailgating in genera like: good deals on quality portable/tailgate style grills, tailgate games (ladderball, corn hole, etc), storage containers, portable bars, portable sound systems, etc.

So far all I'm finding are garbage sites that have branded things with NFL and NCAA teams and are charging big money simply because they say redskins

You'll have to figure out where to make the thread. I'm perpetually on thin ice with the mods for whatever reason, so it'll probably be better if you make that guess and make the thread

I have some tailgate sites bookmarked on my home browser. The best ones are college base tailgating sites with great ideas and recipes. There is one guy who goes by the Commissioner of Tailgating that has some good stuff. Just google that phrase.

I think a thread could be contributed by all. Lots of us have experience. I created an Excel spreadsheet that is a checklist for all my stuff so I don't forget anything (like tickets!). I'll see if I can talk to one of the mods about the best location. I'd prefer the Stadium and since it would be Redskins related it should be fine....but I can check. Maybe I'll start a thread this weekend with my list.

I understand. Your mentality is exactly what i'm hoping for

I can wait until the game actually matters

(I say that now, but I bet I wind up going because of what you said lol)

I bet you go

Good... those seats are garbage, for most the part.

I would never spend that kind of money for the Dream Seats but would not call them "garbage". IF I had unlimited money and good hips, I might buy them from time to time. After the money, the bad is that you have to stand the whole game to watch/see the field. That really sucks for being so close to the game. But to observe the players and what goes on on the bench and to be that close to the field with waiter service for food and beverage can be pretty sweet. Again....I can't afford them nor can most of us here on the board....but it can be pretty cool to be behind the bench and that close to the game.

We need to start a tailgate gear thread.... Not sure the mods would want it in this forum though. Maybe the general forum? Because I need some places to order some new gear from...

That's a good idea. Over the years, I have accumulated a pretty lengthy list of things I bring; some obvious but a lot not so obvious to the first time tailgaters. You can't imagine how many times I have lent propane fuel tanks, lighters/matches, pain medicine, sun screen to folks parked around me. And more than once, I left the house without my tickets and/or parking pass. Fortunately, I remembered each time within minutes of leaving

Oh man am I hoping that game allows me to sell my preseason tickets for full price... people wanting to see this game make me lol. it's a preseason game

I understand what you are saying but there is NO WAY I am missing RG3 (for the first time) vs Andrew Luck. Being game three of the preseason, both will likely play deep into the third period and the starters will play more than any other pre-season game. I can't wait for this game.

Nice! How long have you been a season ticket holder?

I'm steaming again and not from the heat. I asked to move closer to the 50 from section 453 row 24, but said I'd also move down and pay more in the new section, and third preference was move down in my section. Guess what I got? Yup, pay more, same section. STH for 7 years. With all the LL upgrades I was thinking for sure I'd get 454 or 401. Sigh.

Why are you steamed? You got an upgrade lower in your section on the 30-40 yard line. Seats near the 50 do not open up that often. A lot of guys want to be on the 50 yard line and refuse to be "upgraded" to the end zone on the lower level. I don't know what row you are in but the view below row 15 is FAR superior to seats above row 15. I think you'll appreciate the 10+ row upgrade. Players will appear much closer and binoculars are not a requirement.

---------- Post added June-22nd-2012 at 09:14 AM ----------

Congratulations to all the first time STHs (season ticket holders). It's fun watching the Redskins with 80,000 of your closest buddies Start collecting your tailgate gear now. And congrats to all those who got upgrades. Enjoy them while they last because as the Skins start winning, fewer seats are going to come available.....well....unless we get another recession....

---------- Post added June-22nd-2012 at 09:15 AM ----------

Just got my seat assignment:

Section 452, row 29, seats 12 - 15.

September cannot get here fast enough!

First home preseason game is August 25. Be there to see RG3 dueling Andrew Luck!

---------- Post added June-22nd-2012 at 09:17 AM ----------

I've had ST for 4 years now. The first season, I was in either 411 or 412 and was then moved to the last row of 401. This is my second move in the same section. You should call the TO and see what you can negotiate.

If it was 4 years ago, that was before the auto upgrade program began. Rules and process have changed since then.

I was told, by someone at the ticket office, that 3 tickets are easier to upgrade because there are holes they'll fit in that noone else will and there's not many people with 3 tickets.

Now thats one guy from the TO, so who knows how accurate that is. But it is what i was told.

Other than that, i agree with S&S. The TO has been pretty good the last 2 years, if you show them respect they'll (typically) show you respect and take an interest in trying to help you and make you happy.

It's a double edged sword. A few years back we had someone who used to work in the Skins TO. And he confirmed that they did try to fill odd number seats first to avoid the single seat. But there are a limited number of 3,5,7 seats together. It just is not a common ticket request. So if you there are more people with three seats than are available, it essentially cuts some people out of the upgrade process all together because a few at the top of the 3 seat list gets an upgrade but everyone else is **** out of luck because the ticket office does not want to fill a 4 or 6 seat whole with just three seats.

So it can work both ways. If you are at the top of the upgrade eligibility list by seniority and it is the beginning of the upgrade process, yes, your seats would get assigned first. But if you are low on the seniority list that year and particularly if upgrades have mostly been done, the chances of an upgrade are slim.

I would imagine it depends a lot on how many three seat STHs are in each section and how many open up in the next section over. We need to remember that the upgrade process is like a jigsaw puzzle with lots of tiny pieces. Not as easy as it may appear. The new software helps to keep things fair based on whatever upgrade rules they input. But in the end, it is not an easy process nor even fair sometimes. Spyder has a good argument to make and hopefully the TO can accommodate him.

But then, the Redskins make it very clear that an upgrade is not guaranteed. We complained three years ago for a more fair upgrade process and in general I think that has happened. Not so long ago, it was the luck of calling in and depending on which agent you got, you got no upgrade or a fantastic upgrade....or something in between. Location and seniority had nothing to do with it.

Yea Sonny I called the TO I asked how could UL ticket holders be getting in the corners and better and I didnt get upgraded first...All he could tell me is that it sucked and he didnt think it was right but that happens sometimes...But he did say they wont be done with the upgrades till the end of june so he thinks I still might get one..But we will see IT DOESNT LOOK GOOD....HTTR!!!!!

(And being that I have 3 tickets one would think there has to be an opening somewhere with a odd number of seats open)

We do know that three seats together can be difficult to fit. Odd number seats just are not common. Seat management for any company relies on minimizing single seats because that is lost revenue. Few people buy a single seat for an event.

But I would call back and insist on speaking to the ticket office manager. Calmly and respectfully explain your situation, particularly that you are reading folks say they are being upgraded from the UL to the LL in sections better than yours. Stress that the TO promised fans two years ago a more fair and logical process. Be firm but polite that you are not happy about this situation and next year you may have to stop buying season tickets and buy them from brokers and through other fans. Just don't raise your voice. Be reasonable and logical.

They may still not be able to upgrade you this year but I think it is your best shot to put you at the head of the line if seats open up. Make them feel guilty (subtly) and if they can correct the problem they will try. Offer them options acceptable to you would be willing to move to the 200 level (not obstructed view) or on the other side of the 50 yard line. Many of us think the 200 level are the best seats in the house. You might try asking what they can do for you next year if they cannot upgrade you this year. Have them email you and put a note on your account if she/he agrees to do something next year. The ticket manager/supervisor could change next year. So get it in writing.

Contrary to what some people say, the folks in the TO want to help those who call in. Some are better at their jobs than others and sometimes you run into someone who was not meant for the job or is having a bad day.I used to work customer service. NEVER yell and scream or curse someone you expect to help you. (NOT suggesting you did this). Those types of people are the ones who often never get their way. Trust me, we did our best to help everyone but never went out of our way for rude people. You can often get something if you are polite and understanding and have a fair and reasonable conversation with customer service. I never understand people who think being nasty or rude is going to get them what they want. The best solution is to be polite and offer suggestions how they could resolve the disagreement. Make both sides feel like winners.

Good luck.

Im trying tshile but seems like no upgrade for me again......3 yrs same seats...oh well maybe next year....HTTR!!!!

I find it surprising that you have not been upgraded in three years. That's a bummer. You're on the visitor side of the end zone. Seats on those side are more empty than the home side during games. I've been upgraded twice and I'm heading into the home side. I started in section 109 three years ago when I moved down from the UL. I suppose I might have more seniority especially if they include wait list time. Hope you have better luck next year.

Good stuff sonny.... i emailed him back as they dropped it to 200 a ticket now..... i want the guarantee of the home side and not really the visitor side......

Yeah, I would avoid the visitor side as much as possible. The congestion and the higher number of visiting team fans are two big downers for me. Good Luck!! Let us know what happens. It will be interesting to hear just how desperate they are to sell tickets.

This is the response I got back from the TO

"If you want to move only 2 seats to the club level, we can try our best to put them back near your seats in the lower level, but can’t guarantee they will be together. The only way we can guarantee all 4 seats are together is if we move them all down together. "

In past years, I recall a few posters with large blocks of seats were unable to move from the club level to the lower level sideline because no seats opened up. The Skins let them keep their club seats and pay at the LL GA rate until they got their LL upgrade in a future year. The more seats you have together, the harder it is to find available seats on the sideline, particularly on the home side.

If you keep all four on the club level, I would request something in writing stating that if they cannot upgrade all four seats together then you get to keep your club seats at the LL price.

For those who've been upgraded already, how long did it take for your new seats to pop up after your old seats disappeared?

It was probably about 3 weeks for me. A few people called the TO this year after their seats disappeared and were told their new seats before they got posted to our online accounts. Others posted the TO could not or would not tell them over the phone. Consider that I would expect a lot more people get upgraded in the upper level just because more seats on the sidelines open up and lots of folks lost their seats in the party deck creation.....so it could take longer.

Yeah but doesn't it cost money? He technically still has them but he just sold them this year. So how would I go about transferring?

From the Redskins Ticket Policy web page:

http://www.redskins.com/tickets/policies-and-general-information.html

Transfer Policy

The Redskins season ticket policy allows the transfer of season tickets to immediate family members only (parent, spouse, child, or sibling). Season tickets cannot be transferred between businesses, from a business to an individual, or between non-family members. In order to transfer a season ticket account, please contact the Redskins Ticket Office and request an account transfer form or download the transfer form now (PDF). Provide the requested materials (which may include a copy of a death certificate, in the event the account holder of record is deceased) and proof of relationship (birth certificate, marriage license, adoption papers) between the existing account holder of record and the new account holder. The Redskins reserve the right to deny a transfer at their sole discretion. All transfers (if granted) are subject to a non refundable $100.00 per seat transfer fee and remain subject to all other Redskins' ticket terms, conditions and policies, including but not limited to the following: Redskins tickets constitute revocable licenses and future renewals of Redskins tickets are at the sole discretion of the Redskins.

Have him transfer the tickets to your dad or mom; then in a few years have them transfer them to you.

Yeah that's not a bad deal. I'm just looking for a way in the stadium this year lol. My grandfather had tickets for 55 years and finally decided to get rid of them this year. So its the 1st season that I don't have access to tickets.

He didn't transfer them into your name? Or did he transfer them to another family member? You do know season tickets are transferable to family members, right?

last year I was upgraded after the UL was completed. I guess I will keep checking. Thanks for the update. However I do have some of the best seats in the studium. Only one who sits behind me is Baldinger. And I stay dry in the rain.

My new section is right next to you in 207.

For those who have not been upgraded yet in the lower level -- Based on past years, there have been isolated upgrades throughout the summer. Just because most are done does not necessarily mean you won't get an upgrade. On the other hand, I would not be expecting one at this point in the process either.

---------- Post added June-19th-2012 at 03:11 PM ----------

I am still holding out hope that Sonny and Sam is wrong. I haven't received any notification yet. I was notified of my upgrade on June 20th last year.

You can always call the TO if you have to know. What section are you in and how long have you been a STH? As I noted in my two recent posts, upgrades have occurred throughout the summer from time to time as the TO fills in spots and determine how many seats they need tor reserve for players, visiting players, media, etc.

are upgrades over?? I still check my account 3 times a day.

Most lower level upgrades appear to be completed based on the lack of reports and some TO conversations. TO seems to be working on the upper level upgrades now. But in previous years there have been some late upgrades reported in the lower level.

This thread sure is a lot quieter this year than the past two years, however.

First time poster here, just thought I'd give my experience.

Have had 4 tix since '98. For the longest time in 411, row 19. Last year got moved to 403, row 19 (still at the cheap $44 price, which was nice) since my 411 seat was sacrificed to the party deck.

Got offered to move to lower level - I said I'd agree to this if I could get 6 tix.and only if it was 100 level, and the TO agreed. Got my email couple days ago, excited to find out what it was - figured it would be high 100 endzone.

It's 213, row 13 - believe this is the last row of the original 200 level seats. Anybody have experience with these seats? I called TO, and they said that they had only agreed to lower level, not 100 level seats (wish I had gotten the name of the person I talked to). They don't sound too bad, the pillar is behind and to the right of us. The cave effect shouldn't be too bad. I hope so, since from the sounds of it, with 6 tickets, I'm gonna be stuck there for a while.

Those are great seats. Many of us prefer the 200 level because the view is more elevated; more protection from rain/snow; and you don't have to stand the entire game because the dream seats and 100 level have to stand to see over the folks in front of them.

The negatives people have reported have to do with the increased number of people on the visitor side from the obstructed view seats behind you. That makes the area more congested with people using the bathrooms and the vending areas.

Hey Everyone,

New to the forums, as I am a first time season ticket holder this upcoming season. I got a call from the skins yesterday offering the same club offer that has been mentioned. I'm really tempted to take them up on the offer since I have upper level sideline somewhere in rows 1-14. I was told it would be about 1K extra per seat for the tickets and would start somewhere in section 326. However, unlike most you, I wasn't offered the incentive of getting lower level after one season, just the option of keeping the special 40% discount for as many years as I'd like or moving back into the upper level. Just wanted to share my experience and see what you all thought.

Everything about club seats is negotiable. They are not going to make you a great offer right away. You need to tell them what you need to move into club seats. Of course, you're offer has to be reasonable. The market for club seats is VERY weak and the buyer has the advantage right now. You need to counter offer if you are seriously willing to pay more money for a year or two.

I'm now in 118, row 25. Does anyone know what end of the sections seat 1 is in 100s

I gave you bad information. Seat 1 is the first seat in a section on the RIGHT if you are facing the field.

I could have sworn it was on the left of the section but it kept nagging at me so I went searching in the threads and after checking several threads, people with better memories say seat #1 is on your right and the numbering goes clockwise around the stadium as you face the field. Sorry to give you bad info. Could have sworn seat #1 was to my left last year.

Sucks for me because now I figure out I am 16 seats farther away from the 50 yard line!

I see it is limited to season ticket holders only. It seems to me these seats/spaces would not be terribly attractive to season ticket holders.

well this ****ing blows really bad....

Just talked to the TO and they said LL is completely done......

I got basically HOSED and have the same setup as last year.... 3 seats across and 1 behind......

I explained my frustrations to the TO guy and basically called BS on upgrading folks from UL to LL when you cant take care of folks that are asking for all 4 together.....

Maybe I am being a selfish prick but the TO has pretty much pissed me off..

*/end rant*

That's a tough break Chess. I would think the TO would work to combine your seats since it is an awkward situation. You aren't being selfish. But based on the last two years, it sure seems like there were fewer LL upgrades than in the past. Maybe Griffin is having an affect on folks keeping their seats this year.

We all do have to remember that not everyone can get an upgrade if most folks ask for it. Not like there is 25-30,000 seats turning over in the lower level each year. I guess I'm just going to count myself lucky about moving over one section even if I moved back to the 200 level (which I requested).

Will be interesting to see how many report UL to LL upgrades and UL upgrades in general.

On a side note, I came home to a letter from the Redskins telling me of my new seat location. Never got an email.