You've probably used a promo code yourself — you add something to your cart online, type in a code at checkout, and the price drops. That's exactly how Promotion Codes work in Brushfire.
A Promo Code is applied at checkout to discount the price of a ticket or registration. It doesn't hide anything or reveal anything — it just takes money off. That's the whole job.
If you're looking for something that hides ticket types and lets specific people see options others can't, that's an Access Code — see our Access Codes guide for that.
What Can a Promo Code Do?
Promo Codes are flexible. Depending on how you set them up, a code can:
- Take a flat dollar amount off (e.g., $10 off)
- Apply a percentage discount (e.g., 20% off)
- Be used by anyone or restricted to one-time use
- Apply to your entire event or only specific ticket or registration types
- Apply to multiple events under a single code
Example: You want to reward people who register early for your conference. You create a promo code — "EARLYBIRD" — that takes $30 off any ticket purchased before a set date. Share it in your marketing emails and your early registrants will see the discount automatically applied at checkout.
Example: You're running a performing arts event and want to offer a student discount. You create a code for 25% off your student ticket type and share it through partner universities. Students add their ticket to the cart, enter the code at checkout, and the discounted price is reflected before they complete their purchase.
How Does an Attendee Use a Promo Code?
Your attendees enter the code in the cart at checkout — after they've already selected their ticket or registration type. Once they enter the code, the discount is calculated and applied automatically before they complete their purchase.
📌 Note: The promo code entry box only appears if you have a valid promotion configured for items in the cart. If an attendee tells you they don't see a place to enter a code, check that your code is active and linked to the ticket type they've selected.
⚠️ Using Both Code Types? If your event uses both Promo Codes and Access Codes, make sure your attendees know where each one goes. Access Codes are entered on the registration page to unlock hidden options. Promo Codes are entered in the cart at checkout to apply discounts. Mixing these up is one of the most common points of confusion for attendees.
How Are Promo Codes Created?
You can create and manage Promo Codes from your Organization Dashboard under Promotion Codes.
There are three types to choose from:
| Type | What It Does | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | One code, one set of rules | Most situations |
| Template | A blueprint for generating codes — not usable by attendees directly | When you need many codes with identical settings |
| Dynamic | Auto-generates a batch of unique codes from a Template | When distributing unique codes at scale |
When building a Standard code, you'll configure:
- Code – The word or phrase your attendees will type at checkout
- Group – Lets you bundle multiple promotions under one code (advanced use)
- Description – Notes for you and your team (always fill this in — future you will thank you!)
- Settings – Choose a discount preset or enter custom values
- Usage Settings – Single-use or unlimited
-
Qualifications – Which event(s) and ticket/registration type(s) the code applies to
💡 Pro Tip: After saving your Promo Code, click the edit icon to access additional settings for Availability, Requirements, and Relations. These options aren't visible until after the initial save.
Limitations to Know
- Incorrectly set up promo codes can result in unintended revenue loss. If your code has the wrong discount amount, wrong event, or wrong ticket type attached, it could be used in ways you didn't intend. Always test your code before sharing it publicly.
- The promo code box only appears for valid items. If your code isn't configured for the ticket type your attendee has selected, they won't see a field to enter it.
- One-time-use codes can only be redeemed once. If you need 50 one-time-use codes, you need 50 separate codes — not one code used 50 times. Use a Template and Dynamic codes to generate them efficiently.
- Promo Codes don't control visibility. They can't hide or reveal ticket types. If you want to offer a hidden and discounted option, you'll need an Access Code to reveal it and a Promo Code to discount it.
- Auto-apply codes are an option. You can configure a code to apply automatically without your attendees needing to type anything — useful for special landing pages or targeted campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions
- An attendee says their promo code isn't working. What should I check?
Start by confirming they're entering it in the cart at checkout — not on the registration page. If they're in the right place, check whether the code is active, whether it's linked to the ticket type they selected, and whether it's a one-time-use code that's already been claimed.
- Can I use one promo code across multiple events?
Yes! When setting up your Qualifications, you can add multiple events to the same promo code — handy if you're running several events in a season and want to offer the same discount across all of them.
- What's the difference between a Promo Code and an Access Code?
Promo Codes apply discounts at checkout. Access Codes unlock hidden ticket or registration options on your event page. They do different jobs and are entered in different places. See the Access Codes guide for more.
- Can I track how many times my promo code has been used?
Yes — usage and redemption is tracked through the Promotions Report on your Event Manage Reporting Dashboard, as well as the Detailed Reporting Tab in your Organization Dashboard.
- I want a ticket that's both hidden and discounted. How do I set that up?
-
You'll use both tools together. Set up an Access Code to hide the ticket type and share it with your intended audience. Then create a Promo Code for the discount, which they'll enter at checkout after the hidden ticket type has been revealed.