Donating to get better seats in 2022...

[johnrclark12]

Talked with someone at the NLC office about trying to get better seats for next year, he said if I donated more money to get more NLC points, I would move up the list and get to upgrade sooner.

My question is, is this really an effective method that is proven to really work? Should I donate now to build points up, is there a deadline where they pull point totals?

Also, any idea just how much you have to donate for it to really be worth it? If I donate $100, it's only 2 points, might be pointless in that case. I am in WGU Row 75 right now, likely want to stay in this area just move down closer to the field. I only signed up last year so my point total is very low. Looking for advice from experienced NLC members.

Thanks,

Would appreciate it if the post stayed on topic and didn't have snarky comments like "Why would you want tickets to see this team?"

 

[cvilleelkscoach]

It takes time and money to build points. I don't know how much you gave but for it to make a real difference in when you get to select your seat change, I would think you would need to give quite a bit of money. For example, a gift of $20,000 would result in 400 points. They use to post the number of points but tranche on the NLC site but it's not there any longer. If I remember correctly, the mid point was around 800-1000 points. So even 400 points is going to be near the bottom. It would help you build for future years, but it's going to take a while. For example, my wife and I have around 2700 points and we are in the top 3% of the NLC point total. That allows us to get the first time slots for any ticketing events. The link below gives you ways to add more points, have you taken advantage of any of those ways? Also, does your company offer gift matching? That could be a way for you to get addition points. It does take time to build points. Give what you can comfortably afford and see what is available each year at seat selection time. It may take a few moves to get you to where you want to be.

Good luck.

Penn State Athletics Official Athletics Website

The official sports website for Penn State Athletics. Learn about schedules, rosters, scores, and Penn State Nittany Lion players at gopsusports.com.

nittanylionclub.com

 

[RGWhirly]

More points obviously helps, however unless they ever go to a reseating every year, that person with less points can still have the seats you want if they are meeting annual requirements for those seats and they already have those seats.

 

[johnrclark12]

It takes time and money to build points. I don't know how much you gave but for it to make a real difference in when you get to select your seat change, I would think you would need to give quite a bit of money. For example, a gift of $20,000 would result in 400 points. They use to post the number of points but tranche on the NLC site but it's not there any longer. If I remember correctly, the mid point was around 800-1000 points. So even 400 points is going to be near the bottom. It would help you build for future years, but it's going to take a while. For example, my wife and I have around 2700 points and we are in the top 3% of the NLC point total. That allows us to get the first time slots for any ticketing events. The link below gives you ways to add more points, have you taken advantage of any of those ways? Also, does your company offer gift matching? That could be a way for you to get addition points. It does take time to build points. Give what you can comfortably afford and see what is available each year at seat selection time. It may take a few moves to get you to where you want to be.

Good luck.

Penn State Athletics Official Athletics Website

The official sports website for Penn State Athletics. Learn about schedules, rosters, scores, and Penn State Nittany Lion players at gopsusports.com.

nittanylionclub.com

Yes, I am not an alumnus and I only signed up for season tickets this past year. Therefore, I only have 10 points at the moment. I know I need to try and build points in order to A) Get the rights to buy hockey tickets, and B) Move up to better football seats. Once I do that, I am going to do the bare minimum as the below quote suggests. It is just getting to that point.

More points obviously helps, however unless they ever go to a reseating every year, that person with less points can still have the seats you want if they are meeting annual requirements for those seats and they already have those seats.

 

[86Engineer]

So they told you that if you want better seats, just spend more money? The geniuses running the NLC must have invented that concept!

I doubt that there is any "list", or if there is that's it's very long. When it comes time to renew, just ask what's available and pay the required amount for that section. You would be a sucker to give them more just to increase your point total.

 

[johnrclark12]

So they told you that if you want better seats, just spend more money? The geniuses running the NLC must have invented that concept!

I doubt that there is any "list", or if there is that's it's very long. When it comes time to renew, just ask what's available and pay the required amount for that section. You would be a sucker to give them more just to increase your point total.

Pretty much. But I know for a fact that's how it works when it comes to getting hockey tickets. My friend has almost 70 points and just this year got the call about signing up for them. I am way behind that. But once you are in, you are in.

 

[RGWhirly]

Pretty much. But I know for a fact that's how it works when it comes to getting hockey tickets. My friend has almost 70 points and just this year got the call about signing up for them. I am way behind that. But once you are in, you are in.

Just don’t over do it. We are approaching 2000 pts and the NLC still does a few things to annoy the heck out of me every year. They do a lot of things that don’t make sense and the loyalty back to you only goes so far.

 

[kgilbert78]

There is also something to be said for using that money simply to buy tickets on the open market, especially in the higher donation level seats, given the number of games that are discounted. But I gave up my seats about 8-9 years ago, for a combination of factors, one being very high hotel prices. My wife noted that we could go to Europe for a couple of weeks every other year for those prices. And we did--until COVID hit.

 

[cvilleelkscoach]

How can you access your point total ? Thanks

NLC account manager

 

[Whaaaaaaaany 2.0]

NLC account manager

If it's actually in your online account somewhere, it's well hidden

 

[86Engineer]

Pretty much. But I know for a fact that's how it works when it comes to getting hockey tickets. My friend has almost 70 points and just this year got the call about signing up for them. I am way behind that. But once you are in, you are in.

They'll be begging you to buy hockey tickets in no time. Just went on the ticket site and saw several hundred available for #13 ND this weekend.

 

[RGWhirly]

They'll be begging you to buy hockey tickets in no time. Just went on the ticket site and saw several hundred available for #13 ND this weekend.

Yep. Hockey attendance had several things impact it this year. First, a decent amount of folks renewed their tix with no intent on going because they are still concerned about Covid, but they did not want to lose their specific seats. Second, a decent amount of people just gave up their seats because of COVID concerns. That has led to really really poor attendance. Worst I have ever seen.

Hopefully some season, Covid concerns will minimize and attendance gets back closer to what it used to be, especially for B1G games.

Headed into next season may be a great opportunity to get seats in the section you desire without too many points.

 

[cvilleelkscoach]

If it's actually in your online account somewhere, it's well hidden

You didn't look very hard.

Go to go psu sports website.
choose NLC from chooses across the top
sign into your account
the main screen that comes up has a large icon on the lower right that states, "Your NLC point". Hit it and your point will show.

 

[JWB389]

Talked with someone at the NLC office about trying to get better seats for next year, he said if I donated more money to get more NLC points, I would move up the list and get to upgrade sooner.

My question is, is this really an effective method that is proven to really work? Should I donate now to build points up, is there a deadline where they pull point totals?

Also, any idea just how much you have to donate for it to really be worth it? If I donate $100, it's only 2 points, might be pointless in that case. I am in WGU Row 75 right now, likely want to stay in this area just move down closer to the field. I only signed up last year so my point total is very low. Looking for advice from experienced NLC members.

Thanks,

Would appreciate it if the post stayed on topic and didn't have snarky comments like "Why would you want tickets to see this team?"

Something I did not see mentioned, it's a tough time to be getting in on the ground floor. In recent years they have offered a lot of incentives to boost your point totals. I.e., early payment or after STEP or the Second Mile scandal if you signed on for 4 years, you get extra points. Things like that. People who jumped on the train then got a head start.

 

[johnrclark12]

Something I did not see mentioned, it's a tough time to be getting in on the ground floor. In recent years they have offered a lot of incentives to boost your point totals. I.e., early payment or after STEP or the Second Mile scandal if you signed on for 4 years, you get extra points. Things like that. People who jumped on the train then got a head start.

Ahh, I did not know about that.

As for the debate on hockey, it is interesting because when the NLC presale started I purchased a pair of tix for almost every game (basically getting season tix). The downside to that is you can find them now for like $10 a game. I paid $25 each per game. Clubs are going for that price right now!

 

[PSUSignore]

If it's actually in your online account somewhere, it's well hidden

I don't know that it's well hidden, it's just that the NLC websites are terrible.

 

[step.eng69]

I don't know that it's well hidden, it's just that the NLC websites are terrible.

Yes, they are not friendly to traverse.

 

[tgar]

Just putting this out there as we have season tickets and have had them for many years. If I were much younger I would opt to just buy tickets at this point on the open market for the games I wanted and get into that routine.

I don’t know how many seats you have and what your preferred weekend arrangements are but buying tickets to a limited number of games ( let’s say 5 ) you really want to attend and using the extra cash to spend on tailgating and accommodations is what I would do. There are more and more ABnBs available and if you are OK with driving 20 miles options for really affordable places to stay.

 

[Beaver-Stadium]

Just putting this out there as we have season tickets and have had them for many years. If I were much younger I would opt to just buy tickets at this point on the open market for the games I wanted and get into that routine.

I don’t know how many seats you have and what your preferred weekend arrangements are but buying tickets to a limited number of games ( let’s say 5 ) you really want to attend and using the extra cash to spend on tailgating and accommodations is what I would do. There are more and more ABnBs available and if you are OK with driving 20 miles options for really affordable places to stay.

100% AGREE!

Look at it this way the only games you would have had to pay more than $100 to sit in ay of E or W sections (sidelines) this years was Auburn and Michigan.

A good Auburn ticket in E or W could have been had for about $140-150, Michigan maybe like $100-$120, the rest of the games could have been had for $40-$50. If you run the numbers it really does not make sense from a financial stand point to buy season tickets. I have followed the tickets for over 20 years and have always fell back on there are 100,000 seats, that is a-lot of demand to fill.

Outside of ND in 07 - Wis and 05 - Michigan in 17 ; those were the only games were ticket prices got really hot, but even then you were at $300-$325 / each.

A couple OSU games got around $200-$225.

Another note is that they play Michigan and Ohio State alternating years at home so that is really your only guaranteed one good game. You will have a second decent game with MSU and a B10 W cross over but the rest of the teams are not great. Plus look at our OOC teams we play over the next 5 years, I don't see anyone close to Auburn.

My advice is buy your tickets to the better games a week before just for your peace of mind on Ticketmaster and really the not good games I would buy them the day of the the game or night before (they will be VERY CHEAP).

From a security stand point buying them on TicketMaster is very safe and will give you a-lot of options.

Any other questions please feel free to ask I have been doing this for a long time and happy to help.

 

[tgar]

100% AGREE!

Look at it this way the only games you would have had to pay more than $100 to sit in ay of E or W sections (sidelines) this years was Auburn and Michigan.

A good Auburn ticket in E or W could have been had for about $140-150, Michigan maybe like $100-$120, the rest of the games could have been had for $40-$50. If you run the numbers it really does not make sense from a financial stand point to buy season tickets. I have followed the tickets for over 20 years and have always fell back on there are 100,000 seats, that is a-lot of demand to fill.

Outside of ND in 07 - Wis and 05 - Michigan in 17 ; those were the only games were ticket prices got really hot, but even then you were at $300-$325 / each.

A couple OSU games got around $200-$225.

Another note is that they play Michigan and Ohio State alternating years at home so that is really your only guaranteed one good game. You will have a second decent game with MSU and a B10 W cross over but the rest of the teams are not great. Plus look at our OOC teams we play over the next 5 years, I don't see anyone close to Auburn.

My advice is buy your tickets to the better games a week before just for your peace of mind on Ticketmaster and really the not good games I would buy them the day of the the game or night before (they will be VERY CHEAP).

From a security stand point buying them on TicketMaster is very safe and will give you a-lot of options.

Any other questions please feel free to ask I have been doing this for a long time and happy to help.

Yeah, agree. Keep an eye on the ticket market as so many folks buy with he intent of reselling and the market is awash in tickets whether it’s Penn State football or The Rolling Stones. For the patient buyer, there are often times great deals to be had. When you go to see the team play Michigan or Ohio State at home, look at all the pods of away team fans now scattered throughout the stadium. There are lots of seats to be had.

BTW, each of the next three seasons have at least three tasty games. And remember, a couple of those may end up being noon starts to appease the Fox Sports programming formula which other networks are now copying as well.

 

[step.eng69]

r. If I remember correctly, the mid point was around 800-1000 points. So even 400 points is going to be near the bottom. It would help you build for future years, but it's going to take a while. For example, my wife and I have around 2700 points and we are in the top 3% of the NLC point tota

@johnrclark12
@RGWhirly
@86Engineer

Link to 2018 member point standings- 1000 points Is not midway in membership in the NLC
I have 1200, there are approx 1200 members above me and what? 22,000 +/- behind my group? I'm also considering giving it all up- tough decision. 😟

Link:

Penn State Athletics Official Athletics Website

The official sports website for Penn State Athletics. Learn about schedules, rosters, scores, and Penn State Nittany Lion players at gopsusports.com.

gopsusports.com

2018 Nittany Lion Club Priority Point Standings
Total Points Total Membership in Point Range
1-25 3222
26-50 2052
51-75 1505
76-100 1058
101-125 845
126-150 749
151-175 882
176-200 933
201-225 981
226-250 908
251-275 906
276-300 906
301-325 711
326-350 634
351-375 534
376-400 484
401-425 415
426-450 368
451-475 309
476-500 286
501-750 1744
751-1000 885
1001-1250 662
1251-1500 514
1501-1750 310
1751-2000 213
2001-2500 238
2501-3000 134
3001-3500 78
3501-4000 46
4001-4500 33
4501-5000 20
5001+ 140
These calculations are based upon contributions for 2018 membership.
For information on the point system go to www.nittanylionclub.com

 

[RGWhirly]

Most other schools share such info every year. NLC, not so much.

Of course if you ask your NLC rep what your rank is, they can tell you.

 

[PSUSignore]

@johnrclark12
@RGWhirly
@86Engineer

Link to 2018 member point standings- 1000 points Is not midway in membership in the NLC
I have 1200, there are approx 1200 members above me and what? 22,000 +/- behind my group? I'm also considering giving it all up- tough decision. 😟

Link:

Penn State Athletics Official Athletics Website

The official sports website for Penn State Athletics. Learn about schedules, rosters, scores, and Penn State Nittany Lion players at gopsusports.com.

gopsusports.com

2018 Nittany Lion Club Priority Point Standings
Total Points Total Membership in Point Range
1-25 3222
26-50 2052
51-75 1505
76-100 1058
101-125 845
126-150 749
151-175 882
176-200 933
201-225 981
226-250 908
251-275 906
276-300 906
301-325 711
326-350 634
351-375 534
376-400 484
401-425 415
426-450 368
451-475 309
476-500 286
501-750 1744
751-1000 885
1001-1250 662
1251-1500 514
1501-1750 310
1751-2000 213
2001-2500 238
2501-3000 134
3001-3500 78
3501-4000 46
4001-4500 33
4501-5000 20
5001+ 140
These calculations are based upon contributions for 2018 membership.
For information on the point system go to www.nittanylionclub.com

I was bored so here's your data with percentiles, with the quartiles highlighted.

 

[step.eng69]

I was bored so here's your data with percentiles, with the quartiles highlighted.

👍🏻👍🏻
If I didn’t need HC reserved parking my point total would be a third of present accumulated

 

[kgilbert78]

I have no idea where I am anymore--but I've not donated in 8-9 years either. I had season tickets from 1984-2012. I dropped down during STEP, as an $800 donation for tickets on the 2 yard line was not for me (to keep the seats I'd earned by loyalty over 25+ years--and donations above the $100 required). Mind you, there were many, many other factors other than STEP, though it was very upsetting at the time. The two biggest were hotel costs and travel. The weekend round trip from Central Ohio was a lot different at 40 or even 50 than it is at (now) 65. Moving the speed limit from 55 helped for a while. My sister asked me last weekend if I thought I'd ever go back for a game, and I said I doubted it. We have been and are still planning to attend more road games, health permitting, as we would like to get to every school in the conference at least once. We got Iowa in 2017 and Maryland in 2019 before COVID hit. I'm still missing Minny, Michigan State, Indiana, Illinois, and Rugrats--though Nebraska was before they joined and we have seen Indiana on the road--in the old Hoosier Dome. I figure I'll get 3 of the 5 at some point. We were set up for Indiana in 2020, but COVID hit.

 

[tgar]

I have no idea where I am anymore--but I've not donated in 8-9 years either. I had season tickets from 1984-2012. I dropped down during STEP, as an $800 donation for tickets on the 2 yard line was not for me (to keep the seats I'd earned by loyalty over 25+ years--and donations above the $100 required). Mind you, there were many, many other factors other than STEP, though it was very upsetting at the time. The two biggest were hotel costs and travel. The weekend round trip from Central Ohio was a lot different at 40 or even 50 than it is at (now) 65. Moving the speed limit from 55 helped for a while. My sister asked me last weekend if I thought I'd ever go back for a game, and I said I doubted it. We have been and are still planning to attend more road games, health permitting, as we would like to get to every school in the conference at least once. We got Iowa in 2017 and Maryland in 2019 before COVID hit. I'm still missing Minny, Michigan State, Indiana, Illinois, and Rugrats--though Nebraska was before they joined and we have seen Indiana on the road--in the old Hoosier Dome. I figure I'll get 3 of the 5 at some point. We were set up for Indiana in 2020, but COVID hit.

So far we have been to NW, Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Purdue, Minnesota, Maryland and all are Big recommends in our book and all have different reasons for being recommended. We are looking forward to going to Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Nebraska as well And try to catch a two or three road games a season. Rutgers is not on the list as our oldest received him Masters there and I am very familiar with Piscataway. If a game there ever works with our schedules we will make that trip as well.

 

[wilbury]

I have no idea where I am anymore--but I've not donated in 8-9 years either. I had season tickets from 1984-2012. I dropped down during STEP, as an $800 donation for tickets on the 2 yard line was not for me (to keep the seats I'd earned by loyalty over 25+ years--and donations above the $100 required). Mind you, there were many, many other factors other than STEP, though it was very upsetting at the time. The two biggest were hotel costs and travel. The weekend round trip from Central Ohio was a lot different at 40 or even 50 than it is at (now) 65. Moving the speed limit from 55 helped for a while. My sister asked me last weekend if I thought I'd ever go back for a game, and I said I doubted it. We have been and are still planning to attend more road games, health permitting, as we would like to get to every school in the conference at least once. We got Iowa in 2017 and Maryland in 2019 before COVID hit. I'm still missing Minny, Michigan State, Indiana, Illinois, and Rugrats--though Nebraska was before they joined and we have seen Indiana on the road--in the old Hoosier Dome. I figure I'll get 3 of the 5 at some point. We were set up for Indiana in 2020, but COVID hit.

Minnesota is really nice. I recommend that trip. Michigan State has a great campus but that stadium is total trash. That plus the MSU fans were less than friendly to me and my 14 yo daughter (at the time).

 

[kgilbert78]

Minnesota is really nice. I recommend that trip. Michigan State has a great campus but that stadium is total trash. That plus the MSU fans were less than friendly to me and my 14 yo daughter (at the time).

I've been in Minneapolis, and liked it (went to a Twins game), but that was in the summer and not during football season.

 

[johnrclark12]

Just putting this out there as we have season tickets and have had them for many years. If I were much younger I would opt to just buy tickets at this point on the open market for the games I wanted and get into that routine.

I don’t know how many seats you have and what your preferred weekend arrangements are but buying tickets to a limited number of games ( let’s say 5 ) you really want to attend and using the extra cash to spend on tailgating and accommodations is what I would do. There are more and more ABnBs available and if you are OK with driving 20 miles options for really affordable places to stay.

I go to literally every game. Home & Away. Been to 39 PSU games in a row (excluding the covid season). So it is safe to assume I will be wanting to attend every game. The reason I bought season tix last year is because Auburn & Michigan were expensive enough that season tix was cheaper. I only have 2, only want 2. However, the schedule this year is fairly weak in my mind.

So trying to weigh if I give up after just 1 year or just stick with it to try and move down.