This is a common question for many Ticketmaster customers. When you purchase tickets on Ticketmaster, are those sales final, or do you have options if your plans change? In this comprehensive guide, we will examine Ticketmaster’s policies and rules around final sales to help you understand your rights and options as a Ticketmaster customer.
The Short Answer
The short answer is: Generally, yes, Ticketmaster sales are final. However, there are some exceptions and policies that allow you to exchange, resell, or get a refund on your Ticketmaster tickets in certain limited circumstances. Keep reading to learn more.
Ticketmaster’s Official Refund and Exchange Policies
According to Ticketmaster’s website, all sales are final, unless otherwise stated. However, Ticketmaster does have policies in place that allow exchanges and refunds in select situations:
- If an event is postponed, rescheduled, or canceled, you may be eligible for a refund. Ticketmaster will notify you if this occurs.
- If you purchase ticket insurance when you buy your tickets, this allows you to get a refund if you cannot attend the event for a covered reason, like illness or travel issues. Not all events offer insurance.
- For resale tickets purchased through Ticketmaster’s verified resale marketplace, each resale listing has its own refund policy set by the seller that you agree to when purchasing.
- If the tickets have a “Free Exchange” option, you may exchange your tickets for another date/time if available.
Outside of those scenarios, Ticketmaster does not offer exchanges or refunds. When you purchase tickets, you agree to their Terms of Use which state “all sales are final,” so you don’t have an automatic right to a refund if you simply change your mind or can’t go.
Getting Refunds in Special Cases
While Ticketmaster’s policy is generally all sales are final, customers do report some success getting refunds or exchanges in special cases by contacting Ticketmaster customer service.
According to reviews, exceptional circumstances where Ticketmaster may make an exception include:
- If you accidentally purchase the wrong tickets, like for the wrong date, and notify Ticketmaster immediately.
- If you purchase duplicate tickets by mistake.
- If there are technical errors or issues with Ticketmaster’s site when you purchased tickets.
- If you are unexpectedly hospitalized or suffer a serious illness or injury that prevents you from attending.
In these kinds of unforeseen emergencies and exceptions, some customers have been able to get refunds by providing documentation and reaching out to Ticketmaster customer service. However, there is no guarantee of a refund – it is based on Ticketmaster’s discretion.
Reselling or Transferring Tickets
Since Ticketmaster tickets cannot normally be returned or exchanged, another option is to resell or transfer them. There are a few ways you can legally resell Ticketmaster tickets:
- Ticketmaster’s Official Resale Marketplace – You can re-list your tickets for sale on Ticketmaster’s own resale platform. Ticketmaster will take a percentage as the facilitator of the sale.
- Other Resale Sites – You can resell your Ticketmaster tickets on a trusted third-party resale marketplace like StubHub. These sites take a commission.
- In Person – You are allowed to resell your Ticketmaster tickets in person to someone you know. However, you cannot resell tickets above their original face value price.
It’s important not to get scammed selling tickets online or in person. Only use trusted resale platforms and meet buyers in public places. Transfers may also be restricted for certain events, so check the event details.
What About Event Cancellations?
If an event is canceled entirely by the artist, venue, or organizer, Ticketmaster will notify you and provide instructions to get a full refund. This is the most clear-cut case where your Ticketmaster purchase can be reversed.
However, events are more frequently being postponed rather than outright canceled in recent years. In that case, your Ticketmaster tickets will automatically be valid for the new rescheduled date. If you can’t make the new date, you can resell or transfer your tickets as outlined above.
Getting Refunds for Sports and Live Event Tickets
Sports games and live events have their own rules around Ticketmaster refunds and exchanges:
- If a sports game is rained out or canceled before it begins, you will typically get a full refund or credit from Ticketmaster.
- If a game is suspended or ended early, e.g. due to weather, Ticketmaster may offer partial credit depending on timing.
- Sports leagues, teams, and venues set their own rescheduling policies that Ticketmaster adheres to. Usually your ticket will be valid for a rescheduled game.
- Live events like concerts: If an artist/performer cancels before the show but the event isn’t fully canceled, there are no refunds since the event is still happening. You may be able to get credit or exchange if notified before the show. Policies vary.
So for live events, unless the whole event is canceled by the organizer, Ticketmaster will not issue refunds if an individual team, artist, or performer cancels or drops out. Read the details carefully when purchasing tickets.
Getting Your Money Back if Scammed
If you purchase scam tickets from a fraudulent seller, you can file a claim with Ticketmaster under their 100% Buyer Guarantee. This guarantee protects you if:
- You were sold fake tickets or tickets that were not valid for entry.
- You purchased tickets that the seller did not have the right to sell.
- The tickets were not delivered in time for the event.
To be covered, you must purchase tickets through official channels like Ticketmaster’s site or approved resale marketplace. If your claim is approved, Ticketmaster will refund the full purchase amount plus fees.
Bottom Line
Here is a quick summary of whether Ticketmaster ticket purchases can be refunded or exchanged:
- By default, Ticketmaster tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, unless stated otherwise.
- In very limited cases, you may get a refund by contacting customer service for an emergency or unusual circumstance.
- Your main options are reselling tickets on Ticketmaster or a resale site or transferring to someone else.
- Full refunds are issued if the entire event is canceled (not just an act dropping out).
- For postponed events, your tickets will be valid for the new date or you can resell them.
- Sports games have their own rescheduling policies enforced by the league or teams.
While not ideal for customers, Ticketmaster’s restrictive refund policy is in place to protect against fraud, reselling schemes, and last-minute cancellations that make it hard to resell tickets. There are some options for ticket buyers, but overall, you should assume your Ticketmaster ticket purchase is a final sale when checking out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you return Ticketmaster tickets before the event?
In most cases, no. Ticketmaster tickets are non-refundable and cannot be returned or exchanged unless an event is completely canceled or you have purchased a refundable ticket insurance policy. You cannot return tickets just because your plans changed.
Do Ticketmaster tickets have insurance?
Some, but not all, Ticketmaster tickets have insurance options you can add during checkout. This acts as a refundable ticket policy. If you are unable to attend for covered reasons like illness, you can get a full refund by filing an insurance claim before the event.
Can I resell my Ticketmaster tickets?
Yes, Ticketmaster allows you to resell your tickets on their official safe resale marketplace. You can also resell tickets on trusted third-party sites. Reselling tickets is the main way to recoup your money if you can’t attend an event, since direct refunds from Ticketmaster are not allowed in most cases.
What if I bought the wrong Ticketmaster tickets?
If you contact Ticketmaster immediately after purchasing incorrect tickets, like for the wrong date, they may make a one-time exception and allow you to exchange them. However, this is not guaranteed. Always double check your ticket details before completing a purchase as sales are final.
Can I get a Ticketmaster refund if I’m sick?
If you have ticket insurance, you can get a full refund with approved documentation of your illness. Without insurance, Ticketmaster does not offer refunds for personal illness or situations. Your only option is to resell the tickets.
What if my Ticketmaster tickets don’t arrive on time?
If your Ticketmaster tickets are not delivered in time for the event, you are protected by their 100% Buyer Guarantee. File a claim and Ticketmaster will refund you the full amount if they determine the seller failed to deliver valid tickets.
The Bottom Line
Ticketmaster ticket purchases are designed to be final in all but a few specific scenarios. While this restrictive refund policy can be frustrating at times, it aims to protect the interests of venues, teams, and performers so they can tell if an event will sell out.
As a Ticketmaster buyer, make sure to carefully check all the details before you complete your purchase. Understand that outside of a full event cancellation, you likely cannot get refunded if your plans simply change. Reselling tickets becomes your main recourse in most cases.
By following Ticketmaster’s policies, terms of service, and purchasing from official channels, you can buy your tickets with confidence and avoid the hassles of unused tickets and scams.