I recently read on about.com Getting cheap tickets to The Metropolitan Opera. We tried all three of their approaches and I think some additional advice is needed…

gonyc.about.com
Rush Tickets: 200 orchestra level seats are available for $20 for most performances Monday through Thursday. Tickets are available at the box office two hours before curtain on the day of the performance.

TheToteTraveler
When we called ahead we were told 150 orchestra level seats are available for $20 for most performances Monday through Thursday and that people start lining up around four hours before performances. The second lady in line said she had been there since 11:30 am. So we recommend, if you have a day off, getting there around 2:00 pm. It’s a lot of time to dedicate to the opera but these seats can sell for $275 each. We got there at 4:20 and missed out on getting tickets by about 10 people. Each person can buy 2 tickets.

gonyc.about.com
Standing Room Tickets: $20 Orchestra standing room tickets are available for $20 beginning at 10 a.m. the day of the performance at the box office and online. Family Circle Standing Room tickets are $15 on Saturdays (and Monday through Friday when the Family Circle is sold out). (Opening night, premieres, and gala standing room tickets are $35 for Orchestra Level and $25 in the Family Circle.)

TheToteTraveler
Since we didn’t get rush tickets we bought standing room tickets for $15 each and were in the furthest possible area from the stage. Which was fine because we still had a great view of the stage. Unless you are wearing your tennis shoes to the opera I would not recommend this. We only stood here for the first act and then moved to an empty seat below. You can’t beat $15 dollars but standing was just too distracting from the opera.

gonyc.about.com
Student Discount Tickets: Full-time students 29 and under can purchase same-day tickets for $25 (weekday performances) to $35 (Friday and Saturday performances) at the box office beginning at 10 a.m.

TheToteTraveler
Before we headed to our seats. We bought tickets to Berlioz’s La Damnation de Faust in two weeks. They checked our student IDs and we got Orchestra seating center for $25 each! (it’s a long story why I have a current student ID) Student Discount Tickets can sometimes be bought ahead of time. Call the box office for more info 212-362-6000

If you don’t’ have a current school ID or the time to wait and rush the Family Circle tickets can be purchases for $20 – $26 dollars and Balcony Box seats can be purchased for $20.

Best of luck and enjoy!