Purchasing concert tickets can be an exciting experience, but sometimes plans change and you need to cancel your tickets. If you bought tickets through Ticketmaster, one of the largest ticket retailers, you may be wondering if cancellation is allowed. Here is what you need to know about canceling Ticketmaster concert tickets.
Can You Cancel Ticketmaster Tickets?
In most cases, yes, you can cancel Ticketmaster tickets. However, the specific cancellation policy depends on the event and what type of tickets you purchased.
Ticketmaster has three common ticket types:
- Standard tickets – Fully refundable tickets that can be canceled and refunded anytime before the event.
- Platinum tickets – Non-refundable tickets that cannot be canceled or exchanged.
- Resale/Verified resale tickets – Resold tickets where the cancellation policy depends on the original ticket type and seller rules.
So if you purchased standard Ticketmaster tickets directly from the venue or promoter, cancellation with a full refund is typically allowed. But for Platinum or resale tickets, all sales are final and non-refundable.
How to Cancel Standard Ticketmaster Tickets
To cancel standard Ticketmaster tickets eligible for a refund, follow these steps:
- Sign into your Ticketmaster account online or via the mobile app.
- Go to the “Upcoming Events” section and select the event you want to cancel tickets for.
- Click on the order number for the ticket purchase.
- Select the tickets you want to cancel and click “Cancel”.
- Confirm you want to cancel the tickets. Ticketmaster will show the refund value.
- After confirming cancellation, Ticketmaster will begin processing your refund. Refunds are generally issued back to the original payment method.
Standard tickets are refundable up until the event occurs. So you can cancel as late as the day before and still get your money back. Keep in mind that processing refunds takes 5-10 business days from the cancellation date.
Canceling Platinum and Resale Tickets
Platinum tickets sold directly by Ticketmaster are non-refundable and non-transferable. The no refund policy also applies if the event is postponed or canceled. So unfortunately if you need to cancel Platinum tickets, you will not get a refund.
For resale tickets, the cancellation rules depend on what the seller specifies when listing the tickets. Many resale tickets are non-refundable. But some sellers do allow cancellation with the refund going back to the seller, not the ticket buyer. You would need to contact the seller directly to request canceling resale tickets.
Other Ticketmaster Cancellation Policies
Beyond the standard ticket types, Ticketmaster has some other cancellation policies to be aware of:
- Season ticket packages – Sports and concert season tickets often cannot be partially refunded or canceled. You would need to resell full season ticket packages.
- Tickets with insurance – Ticketmaster’s ticket insurance allows refunds for covered reasons like illness and travel issues. Claims must have documentation.
- Luxury suites/boxes – These premium tickets have customized cancellation policies. Refunds are often not allowed or involve forfeiting a percentage fee.
If you purchased tickets as part of a special offer like a fan club presale, there may also be limits on exchanges and cancellations. Always check the specific event page and ticket details for any cancellation restrictions.
What If an Event is Canceled or Postponed?
If an event is outright canceled by the performer or venue, Ticketmaster will automatically issue ticket refunds including fees. The refund is typically issued back to the original payment method.
For event postponements, tickets are usually valid for the new rescheduled date. If you cannot attend the new date, you can request a refund within 30 days of the postponement announcement. Refunds only apply to tickets originally purchased via Ticketmaster.
Selling Ticketmaster Tickets
If the event is still happening and you want to recover some money on non-refundable tickets, you can resell them on Ticketmaster or other ticket resale sites. Here are some options:
- Ticketmaster’s Official Resale Market – List your tickets for sale to other fans. Ticketmaster charges a fee but provides a trustworthy platform.
- StubHub – Popular ticket exchange with no listing fees and competitive sales commissions.
- Vivid Seats – Resale site with 100% buyer guarantees and a tiered commission structure.
- Facebook Groups – Buy/sell groups like Ticket Exchange can connect you with local buyers.
If you resell at a loss, at least you can recover some of the ticket cost. Transferring tickets safely is important to avoid scams. Never send ticket barcodes until payment is received.
Donating Unwanted Tickets
Donating tickets to charity is another option if you cannot attend or resell them. Organizations like Ticketstofly accept ticket donations and provide them to military members, underprivileged youth, and frontline workers.
You can get a tax deduction for the ticket’s fair market value. On your taxes, save the donation acknowledgment letter from the charity and information on the tickets donated.
Using Ticketmaster Travel Vouchers
For canceled or postponed shows, Ticketmaster may issue a travel voucher instead of a refund. Travel vouchers provide credit equal to the amount paid plus an additional 20%.
Vouchers are redeemable within 12 months for future Ticketmaster events. If you cannot use the voucher in time, you can extend the expiration date by 6 months. Vouchers are transferable, so you can sell or gift them.
Strategies to Avoid Wasting Tickets
To avoid having to cancel tickets in the future, here are some tips:
- Purchase refundable standard tickets when possible.
- Avoid Platinum and resale tickets for events you may need to cancel.
- Get ticket insurance to protect against emergencies.
- Sell unwanted tickets as soon as you know you cannot attend.
- Set a calendar reminder to redeem vouchers before expiration.
Planning ahead goes a long way towards minimizing the chance of tied-up funds in unused tickets. Being aware of the cancellation policies for your specific tickets is also important.
Key Takeaways on Cancelling Ticketmaster Tickets
- Standard tickets are fully refundable if canceled before the event.
- Platinum tickets and most resale tickets are non-refundable.
- Read event and ticket details closely for any cancellation restrictions.
- You can recover some costs by reselling unwanted tickets.
- Travel vouchers provide future credit if shows are postponed or canceled.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster’s cancellation and refund policies vary based on the ticket type purchased. While standard tickets can be canceled for a full refund, Platinum and resold tickets are generally non-refundable. Carefully review the details before finalizing a ticket purchase. Use official resale sites if you need to resell unwanted tickets. With few exceptions, acting quickly gives you the best chance of recovering costs on canceled Ticketmaster tickets.