Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies in the world. When purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster, there are often restrictions in place over the transferability of tickets from one person to another. So are Ticketmaster tickets completely non-transferable, or are there certain circumstances where transfers are allowed? Here is a comprehensive look at the transfer rules for Ticketmaster tickets.
The basics of Ticketmaster’s non-transferable ticket policy
In general, yes – Ticketmaster tickets are non-transferable. This means that the person who originally purchased the ticket from Ticketmaster is the only person who is supposed to use that ticket to attend the event. Ticketmaster enforces this policy by requiring the ticket purchaser to show their photo ID, credit card used for purchase, and ticket receipt in order to enter the venue on the day of the event. The name on the photo ID must match the name on the ticket purchase.
Ticketmaster states that their non-transferable ticket policy is to protect fans from ticket fraud and ensure tickets remain affordable. It aims to stop unauthorized third party ticket sellers from reselling tickets at inflated prices. It also protects fans from purchasing invalid or fake tickets from unauthorized resellers.
Why are Ticketmaster tickets non-transferable?
There are a few key reasons why Ticketmaster enforces their strict non-transferable ticket policy:
- To prevent unauthorized ticket resale – This policy aims to stop third party vendors and ticket scalpers from reselling tickets at unfairly inflated prices.
- To maintain fair ticket pricing – Non-transferable tickets mean that tickets should remain at face value prices, rather than being marked up for profit on secondary markets.
- To reduce ticket fraud – The policy aims to reduce instances of fake/duplicate tickets being sold and fraudulently used for entry.
- Contractual obligations – The non-transferrable policy is often contractually required as part of Ticketmaster’s agreement with event organizers and venues.
Essentially, Ticketmaster wants to make sure that tickets end up in the hands of genuine fans at fair prices. However, the strict policy has also received some criticism over the years for being too restrictive on fans wanting to resell spare tickets.
When are Ticketmaster tickets transferrable?
While generally non-transferable, there are some limited exceptions where Ticketmaster tickets can be transferred or resold. These exceptions include:
Ticketmaster Fan-to-Fan Ticket Resale
Ticketmaster provides a fan ticket exchange marketplace called Ticketmaster Fan-to-Fan Resale. This is an approved platform for Ticketmaster customers to resell event tickets they can no longer use. Sellers can list their tickets for resale at any price, and buyers can search for tickets knowing they are verified resale tickets approved by Ticketmaster. There are still transfer restrictions in place, as the tickets must be transferred directly via Ticketmaster using the buyer and seller’s Ticketmaster accounts.
Gifting tickets
Ticketmaster tickets can generally be gifted or transferred to friends and family, as long as:
- It is a genuine gift not involved in ticket resale
- The ticket is transferred using Ticketmaster’s official ticket transfer process
- The person gifted the ticket shows ID matching the gifted ticket at the event
However, there may be additional restrictions for certain high-demand events where gifting is not allowed.
Name changes allowed in some circumstances
For some events, Ticketmaster allows name changes to be made on tickets for a fee. This may apply when someone else will be attending instead of the original ticket purchaser. However, name changes are still restricted in many cases or may need to meet certain requirements around proving relationship status or connection to the original purchaser.
What happens if Ticketmaster tickets are transferred or resold?
If Ticketmaster tickets are found to have been resold or transferred in violation of the company’s policies, there can be serious repercussions:
- Tickets may be revoked and rendered invalid for entry, meaning purchasers are denied entry
- Purchasers caught using transferred or resold tickets may be barred from future Ticketmaster sales
- Accounts found reselling tickets may be terminated and banned
- Legal action may be taken against larger scale unauthorized resellers
Essentially, both buyers and sellers involved in unauthorized ticket transfers are at risk. The best way to avoid trouble is to only transfer or resell tickets using Ticketmaster’s approved exchange platforms. Or to have the main ticket purchaser attend the event.
The pros and cons of Ticketmaster’s non-transferable ticket policy
Ticketmaster’s strict policies on non-transferable tickets has received a mix of praise and criticism over the years. Here are some of the key pros and cons:
Potential pros
- Helps keep ticket prices reasonable and closer to face value
- Reduces instances of ticket fraud and resale scams
- Gives fair access to tickets rather than third party resellers snapping them up
- Encourages ticket holders to return or resell unwanted tickets through official channels
- Provides peace of mind that tickets are valid when bought from Ticketmaster directly
Potential cons
- Can make it hard to transfer spare tickets to friends or family
- Prevents fans from recouping costs if they can no longer attend an event
- Causes difficulties if the ticket purchaser becomes sick/injured and can no longer attend
- Reduces options and flexibility for ticket buyers and holders
- Contributes to Ticketmaster holding a virtual monopoly on major event ticket sales
Overall there are reasonable arguments on both sides. Fans appreciate Ticketmaster taking action against unfair scalping and inflated secondary prices. But restrictive policies also impede genuine fans from transferring tickets in reasonable circumstances.
Ways fans attempt to bypass Ticketmaster’s policies
Given the limitations of Ticketmaster’s non-transferable ticket policy, some fans have attempted to find creative ways to bypass the restrictions and transfer or resell tickets. Some of the most common tactics include:
- Using photo editing to alter the name on a ticket receipt/ID to match whoever is attending
- Having the original purchaser attend the event first to get past ID checks, then handing off the ticket to someone else afterwards
- Selling tickets via social media, craigslist or forums instead of official resale platforms
- Using a fake ID matching the name on the ticket purchase
- Claiming tickets were a gift if questioned by ticket takers at the event
However, fans are playing with fire using these unauthorized techniques, as they violate the Ticketmaster terms and conditions. If caught, Ticketmaster can cancel tickets and ban fans from future sales. Sticking to official transfer policies or resale channels is the only guaranteed safe option.
Tips for buying or reselling Ticketmaster tickets safely
To buy and sell Ticketmaster tickets while fully complying with policies, fans should follow these tips:
For buying tickets
- Only buy tickets directly via Ticketmaster.com or authorized ticket partners
- Avoid buying from 3rd party resellers, social media, craigslist etc
- Understand that the name on your Ticketmaster account/ID must match the ticket
- Don’t try to edit or alter the ticket name/details
- Know the event entry requirements before buying tickets
For reselling tickets
- Resell using the Ticketmaster Fan-to-Fan Ticket Resale platform
- Transfer tickets to a family member/friend using Ticketmaster’s transfer tool
- Understand transfer and gifting restrictions before reselling tickets
- Avoid unauthorized reselling on 3rd party sites
- Be upfront with buyers about the event entry requirements
Following these tips will help ensure a smooth ticket buying and transfer process while complying with Ticketmaster policies.
The future of Ticketmaster’s non-transferable ticket policies
Going forward, it seems likely that Ticketmaster will maintain fairly strict policies around non-transferable tickets. However, some potential changes could include:
- Allowing broader name changes/transfers for a larger fee
- Providing approved fan-to-fan resale options for more events
- Using dynamic pricing on resale platforms to better reflect demand
- Lobbying for laws preventing unauthorized large-scale ticket reselling
- Utilizing blockchain/NFTs to track ticket ownership in real-time
- Introducing more flexible season ticket style packages
Small concessions around authorized transfers could make the policies less restrictive for fans, while still clamping down on large scale unauthorized reselling. But Ticketmaster will likely always err on the side of caution when it comes to allowing ticket transfers to protect its business interests.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster’s non-transferable ticket policy places strict limitations around reselling or transferring tickets to another person. This aims to keep ticket prices fair, reduce fraud, and grant fans reliable ticket access. However, it also impedes some reasonable ticket transfers between friends and fans. While exceptions exist via approved resale channels, all unauthorized ticket transfers are still prohibited and come with significant risks if caught. Fans looking to buy tickets can stay safe by using official Ticketmaster sales and resale platforms. As for the policy itself, some small changes could help improve flexibility for fans, but major aspects of the non-transferrable policy seem likely to remain in place into the future. With Ticketmaster’s dominant position in ticketing, this policy has huge influence over how millions access and exchange tickets for live events.