I'm working on an automated ES trading algo bot with Tradovate API. With their monthly $349 plan, there are no commissions, but it costs about $2.8 for ES contract round trip.

IOM Membership lease seat sounds right to me.. Has anyone tried?

Does Tradovate accept the CME IOM membership fee?

Also, I would be eligible for the volume discounts, I guess.

What's the right column for the IOM leased member at https://www.cmegroup.com/company/clearing-fees.html

If I buy the 6 months lease seat, should we still pay the $2000 application fee (on the top of the amount paid here?)

https://www.cmegroup.com/company/membership/membership-and-lease-pricing.html

rogtrader 

I'm working on an automated ES trading algo bot

rogtrader 

IOM Membership lease seat sounds right to me..

My understanding is that IOM will give you member rate commissions for Index futures contracts, random length lumber contracts, all options contracts, and all GEM products. So yes it gives a discount to ES.

rogtrader 

Has anyone tried?

I do not have an IOM seat but I do have a NYMEX seat. (I also don't use Tradovate).

rogtrader 

with Tradovate API. With their monthly $349 plan, there are no commissions, but it costs about $2.8 for ES contract round trip. Does Tradovate accept the CME IOM membership fee?

Having a CME membership gives you reduced member clearing rates AND reduced margin rates.
My understanding (as a non-client) is that Tradovate is A COMMISSION FREE trading broker. If thats the case how do you expect to reduce your commissions if they are already free?
I suspect having a seat will just save Tradovate money. Will they pass any of that on to you? My guess would be no, because I would guess that if your volume is high enough to justify a seat they are already losing money on you as a client.

rogtrader 

What's the right column for the IOM leased member at https://www.cmegroup.com/company/clearing-fees.html

The columns are product specific, the rows are trader/membership specific.
So the column you want for ES is 'Equity Index Futures' and 'I think' the row you want for member lease is Rule 106.D Lessees

rogtrader 

If I buy the 6 months lease seat, should we still pay the $2000 application fee (on the top of the amount paid here?) https://www.cmegroup.com/company/membership/membership-and-lease-pricing.html

There's normally an application fee to become a member, and then a much smaller fee to transfer a membership. So if you may pay the $2000 to become a member, and then you renew your lease (with the same lessee) there is NO additional fee. If on the other hand at the end of 6 months you renew the lease with a different lessee then you will have to pay the smaller transfer fee.