First time at game

[amazing80]

My wife and I are using some points rewards and going to splurge and come down for the playoff game! I have a few questions and dilemmas and was checking to see if any of you could help.

First it is tough to know which weekend to plan for, I know if we wait until it is closer we will be hard pressed on prices...It could price us out from coming. We can probably get 1 plane ticket round trip and 2 nights at the Crowne Plaza across from Reliant (how is that by the way?) for free using our points, so we need money for the other flight ticket, probably a car, not too sure on that, food and most importantly game tickets! How much do you think tickets go for being the first playoff game in HISTORY? I do not want the worst seats, but I need to be able to afford them lol. I am thinking between 200-400 for 2 tickets, is that reasonable? And guessing which weekend to come is the biggest issue we face.

Any other advice or tips would be appreciated!!

[texanmojo]

Originally Posted by amazing80

My wife and I are using some points rewards and going to splurge and come down for the playoff game! I have a few questions and dilemmas and was checking to see if any of you could help.

First it is tough to know which weekend to plan for, I know if we wait until it is closer we will be hard pressed on prices...It could price us out from coming. We can probably get 1 plane ticket round trip and 2 nights at the Crowne Plaza across from Reliant (how is that by the way?) for free using our points, so we need money for the other flight ticket, probably a car, not too sure on that, food and most importantly game tickets! How much do you think tickets go for being the first playoff game in HISTORY? I do not want the worst seats, but I need to be able to afford them lol. I am thinking between 200-400 for 2 tickets, is that reasonable? And guessing which weekend to come is the biggest issue we face.

Any other advice or tips would be appreciated!!

Its impossible to know what weekend yet. If we don't get the first round bye...then we will be playing at home the weekend of Jan 7. If we get a lucky break...we may not have to play until the weekend of the 14th.

The bad news for you is that we won't know any of this until the end of the day, January 1st. Well...if we lose one of the next 3 games...then it is a virtual certainty that we will be playing the week of the 7th.

Good luck! Check Stub Hub or the NFL Ticket Exchange for Tickets...

[TxDavid]

I'm gonna be blunt here, as that's my nature. No offense intended, so here goes. This seems long, but I kept it as short as possible, while being as detailed as possible.

You're in a pickle here. As mojo said we will not know if we are playing on the first or second week until January 1st. This is lousy for travel planning, and pricing is going to kill you.

Airfare-
The airlines offer the best deals months out, and at a minimum you'll want to buy 21 days out for the best prices. Well, that is not possible not knowing the date until 13 days away (or less!).

If you have enought miles/points, you could book both flights, but they will charge you to redeposit them. Or just take your best guess, and if you're wrong, you'll have to pay a change fee. Check with the airline, as each one is different.

Another option is to watch for specials - you might actually be able to buy 2 tickets for each weekend for less than the price of one 7 days out.

Playoff tickets-
Expect the lower bowl prices to be $500 and up per ticket. Not sure what they're going for, but demand drives prices and right now they are in high demand. Upper bowl tickets will be cheaper. The 500s are great seats, so don't let that scare you.

Hotel
Great choice & close to the action. It's walking distance to the stadium, but if you want to park inside, you'll need a parking pass. Due to the hotel location - I recommend walking over. Pedestrian gates open three & a half hours before gametime.

Gameday
If you make it down here, consider yourself invited to the Blue Crew tailgate. Don't worry about bringing anything. We'll have plenty of food, and I'll have an extra case of beer there for y'all.

[amazing80]

Originally Posted by TxDavid

I'm gonna be blunt here, as that's my nature. No offense intended, so here goes. This seems long, but I kept it as short as possible, while being as detailed as possible.

You're in a pickle here. As mojo said we will not know if we are playing on the first or second week until January 1st. This is lousy for travel planning, and pricing is going to kill you.

Airfare-
The airlines offer the best deals months out, and at a minimum you'll want to buy 21 days out for the best prices. Well, that is not possible not knowing the date until 13 days away (or less!).

If you have enought miles/points, you could book both flights, but they will charge you to redeposit them. Or just take your best guess, and if you're wrong, you'll have to pay a change fee. Check with the airline, as each one is different.

Another option is to watch for specials - you might actually be able to buy 2 tickets for each weekend for less than the price of one 7 days out.

Playoff tickets-
Expect the lower bowl prices to be $500 and up per ticket. Not sure what they're going for, but demand drives prices and right now they are in high demand. Upper bowl tickets will be cheaper. The 500s are great seats, so don't let that scare you.

Hotel
Great choice & close to the action. It's walking distance to the stadium, but if you want to park inside, you'll need a parking pass. Due to the hotel location - I recommend walking over. Pedestrian gates open three & a half hours before gametime.

Gameday
If you make it down here, consider yourself invited to the Blue Crew tailgate. Don't worry about bringing anything. We'll have plenty of food, and I'll have an extra case of beer there for y'all.

Thanks for the info. I can get one ticket only for airfare, not enough for the 2nd. But the good news is I should have enough for 2 nights at the crowne plaza, worse case I have enough for one night and pay the 2nd night. Im starting to think we will not get a car, are there things around the stadium to check out? i really want more memorabilia for my man cave and maybe some other knick-knacks. Needless to say its almost impossible to find things here.

500 a ticket is steep but I guess I expected that being our first playoff game. Im gonna guess getting bull pen tickets will be impossible unless Im rich? What is a good area to sit? I am LOUD and Rowdy and do not want people getting all mad if im cheering and being crazy while we're on defense....this will be my first time there so Im sure I will have more energy in me ha!

And thanks for allowing us to party with you! Ill show you how us notherners get down! (Although I am from Killeen :P)

[texanmojo]

Originally Posted by amazing80

Thanks for the info. I can get one ticket only for airfare, not enough for the 2nd. But the good news is I should have enough for 2 nights at the crowne plaza, worse case I have enough for one night and pay the 2nd night. Im starting to think we will not get a car, are there things around the stadium to check out? i really want more memorabilia for my man cave and maybe some other knick-knacks. Needless to say its almost impossible to find things here.

500 a ticket is steep but I guess I expected that being our first playoff game. Im gonna guess getting bull pen tickets will be impossible unless Im rich? What is a good area to sit? I am LOUD and Rowdy and do not want people getting all mad if im cheering and being crazy while we're on defense....this will be my first time there so Im sure I will have more energy in me ha!

And thanks for allowing us to party with you! Ill show you how us notherners get down! (Although I am from Killeen :P)

Everywhere will be loud. No worries there. I sit in the 600 level and the seats are very good. I have had them since day 1 and have never thought of upgrading. I have no idea what seats in my section will be going for...and I don't plan on finding out either (because I will be going...)!

As for whats to do around the stadium...not much without a car. Knickknacks...well...they have a Texans store at the stadium where you can purchase lots of great swag.

Good luck...I hope you can make it down!

[TxDavid]

Originally Posted by amazing80

Thanks for the info. I can get one ticket only for airfare, not enough for the 2nd. But the good news is I should have enough for 2 nights at the crowne plaza, worse case I have enough for one night and pay the 2nd night. Im starting to think we will not get a car, are there things around the stadium to check out? i really want more memorabilia for my man cave and maybe some other knick-knacks. Needless to say its almost impossible to find things here.

500 a ticket is steep but I guess I expected that being our first playoff game. Im gonna guess getting bull pen tickets will be impossible unless Im rich? What is a good area to sit? I am LOUD and Rowdy and do not want people getting all mad if im cheering and being crazy while we're on defense....this will be my first time there so Im sure I will have more energy in me ha!

And thanks for allowing us to party with you! Ill show you how us notherners get down! (Although I am from Killeen :P)

Bull Pen tickets will be nearly impossible to get. However the whole stadium is going to be crazy, so don't worry about that. Also - to clarify when I said the 500s were great seats, I meant the 500 level. I have sat in them and they are great. Those will probably price at about $150-$300 a ticket. If you want to keep your ticket cost down, look for ones in the 300-600 endzones. Those will sell for the least.

[michaelm]

Originally Posted by TxDavid

Bull Pen tickets will be nearly impossible to get. However the whole stadium is going to be crazy, so don't worry about that. Also - to clarify when I said the 500s were great seats, I meant the 500 level. I have sat in them and they are great. Those will probably price at about $150-$300 a ticket. If you want to keep your ticket cost down, look for ones in the 300-600 endzones. Those will sell for the least.

We're in 649, in the end zone looking straight down the field, and the view is pretty good, IMO. The thing I like about that view is that I can see the entire play developing very well. It's a lot like watching a coaches video where you can really see how everything breaks down.
Don't be afraid to sit in these seats. I've been there for 7 seasons, and I'm pretty happy with the view.

As far as pricing, the face value of the playoff tix we just paid for was around $70.00ea. I'm not sure how high those will go for on the open market, but I guess the face value might be helpful in establishing a base line for what to expect.

[SheTexan]

If you don't want to rent a car, the rail is right by Reliant and within walking distance of the hotel. It will take ya downtown if ya want to go. Im not all that familiar with the rail, so maybe some other fans can enlighten you on where it goes.

The Blue Crew tailgates right across the street from the hotel, corner of Kirby and Westridge. Platinum lot in the front left corner. Would love to meet you and your wife and welcome you to Houston!! Good luck on the ticket hunt.

[TxDavid]

Originally Posted by michaelm

We're in 649, in the end zone looking straight down the field, and the view is pretty good, IMO. The thing I like about that view is that I can see the entire play developing very well. It's a lot like watching a coaches video where you can really see how everything breaks down.
Don't be afraid to sit in these seats. I've been there for 7 seasons, and I'm pretty happy with the view.

As far as pricing, the face value of the playoff tix we just paid for was around $70.00ea. I'm not sure how high those will go for on the open market, but I guess the face value might be helpful in establishing a base line for what to expect.

That is the reason I love the endzone.

I agree with michael. I've sat in the 600 endzone (my first set of season tickets were there (section 623) and they were great. There really isn't a bad seat in the house. I wouldn't sit up in the 700s though.

PS - FWIW, An article in the chronicle quoted the scalpers saying tickets will go for 3 to 6 times face value, depending on the section.

[Texanfan4ever]

Our tickets are in the endzone, lower bowl, bullpen side and we love it! Our playoff tkts were abt $120 each face value! I don't think we have a bad seat in the whole stafium! Our stadium is beautiful, first class, no matter where u sit, as are the people! I haven't met the Blue Crew except on here, but they are a great, friendly, Texan loving bunch! Hope you get here! You will have a blast!

[Texan_Bill]

Originally Posted by amazing80

My wife and I are using some points rewards and going to splurge and come down for the playoff game! I have a few questions and dilemmas and was checking to see if any of you could help.

First it is tough to know which weekend to plan for, I know if we wait until it is closer we will be hard pressed on prices...It could price us out from coming. We can probably get 1 plane ticket round trip and 2 nights at the Crowne Plaza across from Reliant (how is that by the way?) for free using our points, so we need money for the other flight ticket, probably a car, not too sure on that, food and most importantly game tickets! How much do you think tickets go for being the first playoff game in HISTORY? I do not want the worst seats, but I need to be able to afford them lol. I am thinking between 200-400 for 2 tickets, is that reasonable? And guessing which weekend to come is the biggest issue we face.

Any other advice or tips would be appreciated!!

*AHEM* *Clears throat*

Not "the playoff game" but rather "playoff gameS"!!

It should've read "and come down for ONE OF the playoff gameS!"