What Are Seattle Seat Fillers Up To?

By Lu, OTL City Guides & Seat Fillers

Seattle Seat Fillers are part of a super-secret club. Unlike members of business groups, social organizations, or even gyms, OTL seat fillers keep their affiliation quiet. That's because they head out on the most entertaining undercover missions, with private invitations to shows, events, and activities throughout the Seattle area.

Seat Fillers in Seattle have more fun, too, reserving tickets without worrying about the cost. And, they're out and about more, saying yes to those incredible invitations, enjoying all kinds of live entertainment like plays, musicals, comedy shows, and more.

A Winning Formula

Because everything with OTL is kept so quiet, many people aren't familiar with the concept of local seat filling. If it's new to you, you're in for a treat, as it's a real WIN-WIN!

1. Seattle Seat Fillers receive free pairs of tickets to local shows and events.
2. Area theaters, venues, and event promoters benefit from a free, private, and easy way to expand the audience AND introduce their shows to new patrons.

The Fun of Being a Seattle Seat Filler

Curious about whether you'd like to be a seat filler in Seattle? Then, consider the following.

• Can you make plans with just a few days' notice (or even the same day)?

• Do you enjoy a wide variety of shows and events, even smaller ones held at neighborhood venues?

• Will you be OK with the inconsistency of ticket availability? As a seat fillers club, OTL never knows what will pop up. There could be nothing for a while, and then a choice of things to do.

So, What Do You Think About Seat Filling?

If you said yes to all three of my questions, then I think you might love being a part of OTL. After all, it's not often that you run across a free tickets club. But you have to understand that OTL really is a club (and not a ticket broker.)

It's super affordable, as monthly dues are about as much as a single movie ticket. Plus, all tickets are included and you can reserve more than one ticket to each show or event you decide to attend. Oh, and there's no commitment, as you can cancel any time (but I don't think you'll want to!).

Again, OTL Seat Fillers Isn't a Ticket Broker

Once again, I need to reiterate that OTL never knows how many or what events will be posted.  Yes, Seattle seat fillers receive free pairs of tickets, and that is the hot ticket! But another part of the fun is seeing what pops up out of the blue.

Some months are quite busy, while others could be slower. It all depends on the local show calendar and when OTL's entertainment partners have open seats. But it's really cool to get that show alert pop up in your email box and know that you're a comp ticket VIP. You can reserve tickets without worrying about the cost.

Our little OTL family loves expanding the club, but we don't want anyone to join unless they understand the concept. We've had some people join, see if anything is posted in their city, and then cancel the same day if not. Please understand that's not what OTL is all about, as you need time to see how it all works. Once you start getting those show alerts out of the blue, you'll be hooked. And one event with a higher ticket price could offset your dues for an entire year!

Benefits of Seat Filling in Seattle

Live Events

Seat Fillers in Seattle typically attend live shows and events. However, we might even have a virtual opportunity or unique activity come in from time to time.

Theatre, Comedy, and More

There might be the occasional smaller concert from time to time. But we find that local seat filling is more about plays, musicals, and other theatrical events. OTL also receives quite a few invitations from comedy clubs, as well as burlesque, dance, sports, escape rooms, classes, etc. As far as we're concerned, everything is on the table - as long as it has a regular cost associated, as we don't post seat filler events that are free to everyone. Opportunities have to be something special and have value.

Premiere for Two and Grand for Four

When you're a part of the OTL family, you get to choose a two-seat or four-seat membership. So, you don't have to go it alone. Your free ticket privileges extend to your guest(s), too.

Events Out of the Blue

Seattle Seat Filling is more about last-minute opportunities as event promoters must prioritize ticket sales above comps. So, notice tends to be more same-week than anything else. Again, part of the fun is the element of surprise.

What Types of Invites Do Seattle Seat Fillers Receive?

There are two things that anyone who's new to OTL always asks. The first is "how much do I pay for tickets?" You now know that the answer is zero. But the follow-up is, "what shows and events will I get to attend?"

While I can share general categories, I can't reveal the names of our entertainment partners. Keeping things quiet is the reason why the seat filling concept has worked so well for more than seven years now.

Secret Seat Filling Invitations

A policy called "privacy to shows" is the reason why partners are willing to provide OTL with free tickets for seat fillers. Privacy to shows is just that - it's a secret pact designed to keep the club from impacting each venue's regular ticket sales. If OTL Seat Fillers publicized its entertainment partners, event-goers would join OTL for one event just so they could claim tickets instead of buying them from the venue.

We’re here to support Seattle area shows, events, and activities. The club isn't designed to help audience members work the system. That's why members have to be patient and willing to try new things. And when they do, they're usually pleasantly surprised (over and over again).

Theatre, Music, Comedy

Even though I can't share specifics, I can tell you that plays, musicals, and comedy shows are the most frequent offerings in Seattle and other cities, too. From there, almost anything goes.

Seat Fillers in Washington have attended smaller concerts, burlesque shows, sports, and various other live events.

So, How Can I Be a Seat Filler in Seattle?

If it all sounds good to you, and you'd like to be the newest member of OTL Seat Fillers, it couldn’t be easier to join in on the fun. And you get to take advantage of shows in other cities, too.

Two Seats or Four?

To start reserving free pairs of tickets, go to OTL’s pricing page and pick one of the four Preferred seat filling memberships. You can pay for three months upfront and then take advantage of lower monthly pricing to follow. Or, you can pay for one month at a time at a slightly higher rate. Additionally, there's a discounted Special (two-seat) membership for seniors, military, first responders, teachers, and students (18+).

• Premiere Preferred – two seats per show
• Grand Preferred – up to four seats per show

Reserve Away

OTL’s low membership dues are all-inclusive - you never pay for tickets.

So, if you have a Grand plan, you can reserve up to four seats for shows and events that pop up. Remember, sometimes there might not be anything, and other times you might have a few options. It's fun to share your secret seat filling VIP privileges with family and friends without worrying about the cost.

And, don't feel like you're "stuck" if you move or are too busy to use your Seattle seat filling privileges. You can cancel anytime. Memberships automatically renew. However, once you click cancel in your member's area, you won't be charged again. Everything is so serious and rigid in the world these days. So, we want OTL to be a positive and relaxed club with members who appreciate the uniqueness of the seat filling concept.

What? Pairs of Free Tickets? Is There a Catch?

I don't want to use the word catch, as that sounds negative. However, like other clubs, there are a few membership rules - nothing you can't handle, though. And, yes, it's a free tickets club, so free pairs of tickets are what it's all about!

A Few Rules for Seattle Seat fillers

Surprises and Unknowns: There’s no guarantee as to the number of shows or specific ones. But that’s the entire premise of local seat filling in Seattle. While it’s fun to see what pops up, that means one month it could be one event (or maybe no events), and the next, you might have a few open for reservations.

When You Reserve Tickets, You Must Attend: A second “catch” is that seat fillers in Seattle can reserve what they want based on what's available at the time but must attend. If you make a reservation, you can’t no-show, as OTL’s partners count on those seats being filled. That's what keeps the club going.

Your Membership is Yours: Seattle seat filler memberships auto-renew monthly. However, you can leave at any time without jumping through hoops. Just click cancel in your private member area. We like to keep things positive and upbeat and make it as easy as possible to be a part of OTL. So, please don't yell at us about your dues auto-renewing. You don't have to jump through hoops or even call us - just click a button if you must cancel. Easy peasy!

Seattle Event Promoters Have a Free Seat Filling Service

I've been focusing on seat filling from the perspective of the secret seat fillers in Seattle. But I'd be remiss if I didn't touch on how OTL works for event marketers and promoters, too.

It’s an excellent tool to have in your promotional toolbox, as OTL is a private, free, and easy way to fill some seats or add to your event. And it doesn’t have to be a traditional show with assigned locations. OTL Seat Fillers have gone virtual and also love activities and out-of-the-box opportunities. They’ve been to escape rooms, filmings, festivals, classes, and more. So, if you have a few open spots, why leave them that way?

How To Invite Seat Fillers?

If you’re interested in inviting seat fillers to your venue or show, we have an entire section on OTLSeatFillers.com that'll fill you in on the quick, private, and easy way to extend an invitation and receive a will-call list.

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