Traveling for the Beyoncé Renaissance World Tour

A week after Beyoncé announced the Renaissance World Tour, I sat hunched over my laptop, with less than two minutes to make a two-thousand-dollar decision.

We’re talking $2388.77 for 2 tickets to a Houston show in September. I warred with myself, mentally making a pro/con list titled “Do I Deserve This?”

Deserving the Experience

On the “yes” side: It was just my birthday, and I’ve never seen Beyoncé perform live. On the “no” side: I’d just traded a full-time job for the life of a freelance writer, and since I lived in Georgia, I could see her perform in Atlanta for a similar price, without adding the cost of a plane ticket.

But, I countered, wouldn’t it be more special to see Queen Bey for the first time in her home city? What if she brings out Megan Thee Stallion for “Savage”? More importantly, had I come this far, through the chaos of TicketMaster’s Verified Fan presale codes and waitlists, to change my mind now?

As Beyoncé says in “America Has a Problem,” NO. I hit purchase.

The Cost of Experience

I wouldn’t be the only one traveling for Renaissance, Beyoncé’s first solo tour since 2016. When tickets went on sale in February, some US fans found it cheaper to get tickets to the European leg of the tour, which kicked off first. Ticket prices in Sweden, for instance, sold for no more than $200, leaving plenty of funds for travel and other expenses. Stateside, tickets ranged from $55 nosebleeds to $4,000 to sit in Club Renaissance.

However, since her tour has made its way to the US, fans have zig-zagged across the country—sometimes traveling to another city for access to the show, or for a better deal, but often spending more to have the experience just the way they want.

Defending the Decision

In the weeks after I bought tickets to the Houston show, I found myself having to defend my decision to family and friends. Everyone wanted to know how much I’d spent on the tickets; people asked why I needed to go to Houston when Atlanta was so much closer; everyone was shamelessly asking, eyebrows raised, how much the entire trip would cost me.

But I was one of many women doing these calculations, wondering just how far – financially, and literally – we would go for Beyoncé.

Lasting Impact of the Experience

On July 12, Beyoncé kicked off the long-awaited US leg of the tour at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Center. New mom Mindy Sullivan was only 10 feet away.

“It was unbelievable,” Sullivan says a few days after the show. “I am still physically recovering from standing the whole time. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The Renaissance World Tour is the fifth time Sullivan has seen the star perform live. However, she says in the months leading up to purchasing her ticket, the $950 price tag caused her some hesitation.

“The guilt was there as I was putting this money aside for enjoyment for myself instead of something for her,” she shared, referring to her newborn daughter.

Memorable Journeys

Kiara Griffin, meanwhile, took a two-hour flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Chicago to see Beyoncé perform, booking an inflated-rate five-night stay in a downtown hotel for the trip. Griffin spent around $1,200, driven by her desire to recreate the experience of seeing Beyoncé in 2016.

“Black people in Chicago are going to show up and show out,” she adds, emphasizing the anticipated energy of the audience.

The Economic Impact

According to data compiled by Choose Chicago, the official destination marketing organisation for the city, overall hotel room demand during Beyoncé’s visit totaled 117,193 rooms filled, representing an occupancy rate of 84.8 percent with hotel revenue exceeding $28.9 million.

After the show, Griffin reflected on her journey, remarking that it was worth every penny as she expressed her excitement over the visuals presented during the concert.

Investing in Happiness

Gifting someone you love with a once-in-a-lifetime experience can often be a treat for yourself. For Chicago-native Bridgette Smith, surprising her sister with tickets to the Detroit show was a transformative way to rethink relationships with money.

“If you’re doing what you’re supposed to do and your bills are in order, why not treat yourself?” she stated.

Smith and her sister had a memorable three-day trip. Despite considering costs, she reported not a single regret after witnessing the joy in her sister’s eyes during the concert.

Concluding Thoughts

Days out from the Houston show, I’ve come to terms with the time and money invested in my own experience. With my boyfriend, we’ve made plans to travel, ensuring a shared adventure through every moment. Ultimately, experiences such as these remind us of the joys in life that exceed material possessions.