More bookings, less risk – and no cancellation stress.
Some events sell out in seconds. And then there's the other reality: people actually want to book... but something is holding them back. Mood, illness, calendar chaos – you know them, the 'I'll clear my schedule' crowd. We created Flex-Tickets for exactly these people.
And yes, when used correctly, they can be a real boost for your presale.
To ensure you don't just activate Flex-Tickets «on the off chance», we're sharing our best tips and tricks for the new Eventfrog feature here.
What are Flex-Tickets?
Flex-Tickets are a voluntary additional option that, for a small surcharge, gives your guests the opportunity to cancel their ticket themselves up to a specified deadline – without having to contact you or any effort on your part.
For your event, this means:
You give your audience security when purchasing tickets without losing control yourself. If the ticket is used, you receive half of the Flex-Ticket surcharge. If it is cancelled, Eventfrog automatically issues a refund and re-releases the tickets for sale.
🎯 Why Flex-Tickets work
People love having options. Flex-Tickets subconsciously say: «Book today, change your mind tomorrow.»
It gives them a feeling of security, and it is precisely this feeling that finally prompts many to click on the book button. But beware: Flex-Tickets should not be a free pass for endless cancellations.
💡 Tip 1: Start small
Flex-Tickets should be an option, not the standard. Give your presale some breathing room, but keep control. Technically, you can activate Flex-Tickets for 100% of your tickets, but that doesn't always make sense. If you release too many, you risk too many tickets being cancelled at short notice in the worst-case scenario.
Our tip:
Start with a moderate allocation and observe your guests' booking behaviour. Is demand for Flex-Tickets rising sharply? Then you can always increase the allocation later.
As a rough guideline:
Plan for a 25% Flex allocation to offer enough choice.
But stay flexible. If your event is in high demand anyway, you can also use 100% – because you know that cancelled tickets will sell out quickly.
🕒 Tip 2: The right deadline makes all the difference
Flexible does not mean «cancellation until the last minute». On the contrary: the deadline you set is your leverage – it determines how much freedom you give your guests and how much planning security you retain for yourself. Think about what best suits your event and audience:
- Short deadline (e.g. 2 days): particularly attractive for guests who plan spontaneously.
- Medium deadline (e.g. 4 days): offers security and gives you some leeway.
- Longer deadline (e.g. 7 days or more): useful for events that require intensive planning, so that you can resell tickets easily.
There is no right or wrong – only what suits your audience.
🤫 Tip 3: Only use Flex-Tickets where you feel there is demand
Flex-Tickets are not a tool for saving empty events, but they do have a powerful effect…
- … after the early-bird phase
- … for formats with basic interest («I want to go there – but…»)
- … when you sense social buzz (comments, messages, waiting lists)
Not suitable for:
❌ brand-new formats without reach
❌ strong discount phases
❌ events relying on artificial scarcity
🗣️ Tip 4: Don't sell a feature, sell a feeling
Your audience isn't interested in «cancellation options». They're interested in security, spontaneous freedom, and gut feelings. So use language that appeals to the heart and mind:
«Book now – stay flexible.»
«Plan B included: With Flex-Tickets, you can cancel up to 7 days in advance.»
«Not sure? Your ticket is.»
Flex-Tickets work especially well when you actively communicate them – for example, in social media posts or newsletters.
Conclusion
Flex-Tickets are not a trick or a free pass – they are your tool. If you use them wisely, you will not only sell tickets, but also gain determination. You give your audience a sense of security without losing control of your planning.
If you use Flex-Tickets wisely, the following will happen:
- More people book earlier
- Revenue increases due to the flex surcharge
- You have less cancellation stress
If you release Flex-Tickets indiscriminately, it can backfire, which is why planning is essential.
Our Eventfrog tip:
Test Flex-Tickets at your next event with a small allocation, choose a suitable deadline and observe the behaviour of your community. You will notice that Flex-Tickets are not a risk, but a targeted lever if you set the rules yourself.
🎟️ Start small. Get to know your audience. Then slowly ramp things up.
This is how Flex-Tickets go from being an experiment to a sales booster.
