With many concerts being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ticket holders may be wondering if they can get a refund on their tickets for shows that have been rescheduled. The answer depends on several factors.
Can you get a refund if the concert is postponed?
In most cases, if a concert is postponed and tickets are still valid for the new date, then refunds are not offered. The venue or concert promoter is not obligated to offer refunds for a postponed show if they are making efforts to reschedule it. However, some venues and artists are providing refunds or credit vouchers for postponed shows as a goodwill gesture to disappointed fans.
Refund policies
Every venue, promoter and ticketing agency has its own refund policy for postponed or rescheduled shows. This policy is usually printed somewhere on the ticket or referenced when you purchased tickets online. Refund policies can vary greatly.
Many policies state that no refunds will be given for postponed shows if a make-up date is scheduled within a reasonable time frame, such as within 12 months. Some will only offer refunds if the new date is more than 18-24 months later.
Since policies can vary so widely, it is important to check the specific refund policy for the venue or ticketing company you purchased from before assuming you can get a refund.
Factors that allow refunds
While most venues and promoters do not offer refunds for postponed shows, there are some exceptions in certain cases:
- The new date is more than 12-18 months after the original show.
- The refund request is made within a certain time frame, such as 30 days after the postponement announcement.
- The event is fully canceled with no make-up date announced.
- The event has changed significantly, such as a major artist dropping out of a festival lineup.
Venues may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis if fans can demonstrate hardship that prevents them from attending the rescheduled date.
Getting a refund on tickets you can’t use
If you are unable to attend a concert on the new rescheduled date due to a scheduling conflict or other issues, you have a couple options to get your money back:
Sell or transfer the tickets
Many ticketing websites like Ticketmaster and AXS allow ticket holders to sell or transfer tickets they can no longer use. You can sell them at face value or below to try to get some of your money back. This allows tickets to be reassigned to someone else rather than going unused.
Transferring or selling tickets is often prohibited by the original ticketing terms and conditions. But many companies are relaxing their policies around this due to COVID-19 postponements. Be sure to check the policies before reselling tickets.
File a chargeback
If you purchased tickets with a credit card and the concert promoter refuses to provide a refund for a postponed show you can no longer attend, you may be able to dispute the charge by filing a chargeback. This is a request sent by your credit card company to recover funds from a merchant after an unsuccessful purchase.
Chargeback success will depend on the policies of your credit card company. Many major card networks like Visa and Mastercard have expanded chargeback eligibility due to COVID-19. This lets consumers dispute charges for services they could not use during the pandemic, like concert tickets.
When postponed shows are canceled
If a concert is indefinitely postponed with no new date announced, or if the event is outright canceled, refunds are much easier to come by.
In most locations, state consumer protection laws require that event organizers refund ticket holders if an event is canceled or indefinitely postponed with no make-up date. Venues and promoters must comply with these laws.
However, it’s important to note that refunds are often not provided automatically in this case. Consumers must affirmatively request the refund within a set time period after the cancellation announcement.
How to get a refund for a canceled show
Here are some tips for getting your money back if a show is canceled:
- Check the venue’s website for the refund request process. Larger venues may require you to submit a refund request form online.
- Keep an eye on your email for instructions from the ticketing company on how to receive a refund.
- Proactively reach out to the venue box office and ticketing agency to inquire about refund availability if details are not provided.
- Allow ample time for processing refund requests after a cancellation, which can take 30-90 days.
- Follow up if you don’t receive the refund within the specified time frame.
If you are unable to obtain a refund after good faith efforts and communication, consider disputing the charge through your credit card company.
Conclusion
Getting a refund on concert tickets is difficult if a show is simply postponed to a later date. But if you cannot attend the new date, reselling or transferring tickets is an option. Refunds are more readily available if the event is outright canceled with no make-up date. Check with the venue for the refund request process and be proactive about following up to ensure you receive reimbursement for a canceled show.