Miami Open 2018: Tennis Tips and Discount Tickets

Federer returns in 2018 to defend Miami title!
Enjoy sunny South Florida and the Top 100 players in the world.

Last minute re-sell Tickets that can be cheaper for Stadium Seats!

Look forward to great tennis at the end of the month if you're on the East Coast!

Next year, there is a plan to move this event to the Miami Dolphins stadium. So if you've wanted to watch this even at its original Key Biscayne location, this might be your last chance!

Ticket Calendar: Miami Open - Tennis Masters 1000 Event Ticket Calendar

March 19-31, 2018
You have a chance to see almost all the top 100 tennis players (for both the men's and women's field) all there in one place. In the past, this was known as the Sony Ericsson Open. Think of it as a mini-grand slam over 2 weeks (late March into early April). See all the best tennis players up close in both the practice courts and matches.

Miami Open Grandstand Tickets

Value Tip:

If you will be going during the first week (March 19-25), you are better off buying what is called a "Grandstand Ticket".

It essentially gets you into every court except the Main Stadium. I know what you are saying...but I really, really want to watch Federer and he is only playing at the stadium. Ok, but chances are that the match will be against a much weaker opponent and will end in an unspectacular 6-2, 6-1 score in under an hour.

If you want the best value, instead just get on the practice courts (especially before his match) and see Federer much closer up there. Then check out all the other court matches and upcoming stars on the outside courts.

"Verified Resell" = Hidden Deals:

Go to the Ticket Map, zoom in on the seats and look for the "Verified Re-sell Tickets" shown in little purple circles (instead of the blue).

These seats were owned by fans who cannot attend and are now trying to resell them on the market. If you're lucky and patient, you can find deals for these seats the night before or even a few hours before the event opening time (usually 11AM) when the tickets get frozen. Fans do not want to lose their money so they may sell their seats under retail price here!

Follow up: See Our Tennis Media Pictures from a previous year's trip

Miami Open Attendance Tips for 1st-time viewers:

Bring a MasterCard credit card (sponsors of the event) with you, so that you can go use the "early access" side lane. It gets you in the gates earlier at 9:30AM at this entrance before the big crowds.

6 tips for playing indoor tennis on a budget!

"Baby, it's cold outside..."
Picture uploaded by P2Squared

Indoor Tennis Anyone?

Winter approaches! This is the time to start thinking "Indoor Tennis" for all of you on the East Coast. When it gets below 40 and so dark after work you just want to go home and take a nap...

Below are some of the best options to ward off the tennis blues and tips for playing tennis indoors.

Even with gloves and a parka, it's still good to have options when it's windy and cold outside!

6 Tips to "Save Money and Play More Tennis" this winter!

1) Weekend Tennis Party and Socials
If you just play once a week, you can join a local weekly "tennis party" that typically charges about $20-$30 so you can play all night of doubles (7-11pm).  Usually held on Fri/Sat nights at many local clubs, they are popularly known as "pizza tennis parties".

We can email you with any Tennis Events near your zip code!

More promo codes are updated regularly on our Facebook Tennis Coupons Page!

Pros: They usually have some light snacks or a pot-luck style party on Fri or Sat night.  It's a mixer with typically 30-60 people of various skill levels.  We match people up accordingly and rotate the doubles teams and provide the new tennis balls. Meet new people and get a chance to get on the courts, even if it's just once a week max.

Cons: The downside is that you might be matched with players at the wrong playing level if they do not rate and group them properly. Be sure to tell the organizer well ahead of time your playing experience.

2) Discount Memberships 2 for 1 and no enrollment fees
Alright, you're probably thinking...hmm, aren't private clubs and memberships really expensive?  Usually, but not always...you may be able to find monthly rates at some places.  Also look for promos that waive the enrollment fee (usually $100+ savings).

3) Request an extra "Guest Pass" when signing up with an existing member
If you want to play regularly over the winter without the membership dues (which at gyms are around ~$150/month avg), I'd recommend you to find a buddy who belongs to a local indoor club and then you can just pay a "guest fee" - typically $10 or $20.

Sometimes if you sign up together they can give you a discount as well, but be sure to ask.  But typically it will be cheaper if just one person has a membership and the other people pay guest fees for occasional usage.

4) Book a regular (non-peak) time-slot
If you can gather a group of 4 friends together and just have one person be the designated club member and the others pay the guest fee, this may be a good option at a lower price than booking ad-hoc. It helps if each week, you all can play tennis at the same hour (very early or late). *The hard part is finding a last-minute substitute, if one person cannot make it.

Tennis-Bargains Tip:
Here is a free 7-day online pass for Sport and Health clubs in the VA/DC/MD area. Please reference www.Tennis-Bargains.com, if you are asked how you found out about the deal.

I can only give you my personal option on the court quality vs price of most of the indoor clubs in the VA/DC/MD area that I have visited.  But I'll post some of my reviews of court quality, staff experience, parking benefits in another blog post.
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3 Ways to Save with your Chase Card at MSG in NYC

Chase is proud to be the Marquee Partner of the Madison Square Garden Company

Below is a short list of sample Chase cardholder benefits available at MSG:

At Tennis-Bargains, we love relaxing with the free Chase VIP Lounge access at the US Open! For many years, Chase has also given away great freebies for fans in NYC.

If you are a sports and concert fan in the downtown New York area, then try to take advantage of the great Chase Deals (like Chase Preferred Seating):

• The Theater at MSG (featuring Jon Steward, Chris Rock, and Musicals)
• NHL Rangers for Hockey Tickets
• NBA Knicks for Basketball Tickets

Special Event Tickets with your Chase Card at MSG

Chase Cardmember Preferred Seats
Exclusively available for Chase cardholders to purchase via Ticketmaster.

For select events, Chase cardholders who purchase a Chase Preferred Seat will receive an exclusive invite to the Chase Lounge at a pre-concert reception.

To check availability for Chase Access, follow these two simple steps:

1. Under “Event Type”, select “Chase Cardmember Preferred Seating” in the drop-down menu.
2. Purchase tickets using your Chase card!

Chase Card Benefits Exclusively at Madison Square Garden

Chase VIP Lounge

The Chase Lounge is an invite-only VIP cash-bar lounge within Madison Square Garden. It is open during pre-show for select concert events.

Grab some light snacks and H'orderves before the game or concert. Relax in a very comfortable and TV-filled room with a guest. "Created for our loyal Chase customers, the Chase Lounge guests will enjoy complimentary food, beverages and other benefits that deliver a premium lounge experience."

Read more about our review experience of the Chase Lounge at the US Open.

Merchandise Offers at Team Stores

Spend $75 or more on your Chase Credit or Debit Card at MSG Team Stores or the MSG Store in Chase Square and you'll receive a $25 voucher. Merchandise valid for Knicks, Rangers and Liberty items only.

Food & Beverage Offers

Chase Meal Deals - Get $5 off select meals when you pay with your Chase credit or debit card at participating locations at Madison Square Garden.*

*Offer only redeemable by customers of Madison Square Garden during their ticketed date and time. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer is subject to availability and may be discontinued at any time. Other restrictions may apply.

Chase Weekends

For all Knicks and Rangers weekend games during the season.

Chase Cardholders can enjoy 30% off food and select merchandise throughout the concourse and at the MSG team stores.

Planning some Holiday Shopping Soon?

Get $150 Cash Back with the Chase Freedom Card Offer from Tennis Bargains

Sign up to get $150 back after completing $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. I just charge my cell phone bill, utilities, dining expenses, etc.

Additionally, get 5% Cash Back on Walmart and other Department Stores* from Oct thru Dec 2017. See Full Details Here.
The Chase card that we love is the Chase Freedom Card with no annual fees. Now is a great time to use it for the Holiday Shopping Season at department stores such as Walmart, to get 5% back*

Perfect for picking up your Groceries, Gifts and of course some Wilson Tennis Balls for just $1.97/can!

Walmart even has a new fast and easy 30-second return policy! You do not even need to bring the product back to the store, valid for online purchases too. Is this the solution for defective cans of tennis balls?


Each quarter, you can get 5% back on categories such as Resturants or Gas. See their Bonus Calendar. There is no minimum to redeem for cash back. Rewards do not expire as long as the account is open.

Tennis Traveler Bonus Tip
Tip: Use your 5% Bonus on Tennis Travel (airfare, hotels, etc) to save even more!

Bonus Tip: How-To Redeem Chase Freedom Points for Free Travel
The Chase Ultimate Rewards Points we earned this year was enough to fly free round-trip to visit Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open) and the International Tennis Hall of Fame (Dell Open), both for a week-long trip! Use the Chase Reward Portal to get up to a 25% bonus value on your points*.

Here are some more Tennis Travel Destination ideas with my pictures and reviews.