Transferring tickets on Ticketmaster is a convenient way to get tickets to someone else if you can no longer attend an event. However, sometimes plans change and the person you transferred the tickets to can no longer go either. In cases like this, some people wonder if you can get the tickets back after already transferring them on Ticketmaster.
The Short Answer
Unfortunately, once you transfer tickets on Ticketmaster, you cannot get them back. The transfer is final, and the tickets fully belong to the recipient after the transfer is complete. However, there are a few things you can try if you regret transferring your tickets or if the recipient can no longer attend the event.
Why You Can’t Get Tickets Back After Transferring
There are a few reasons why Ticketmaster does not allow you to retrieve tickets after transferring them:
- It prevents fraud – Allowing transfers back and forth between accounts could enable scalping or other unfair practices. Ticketmaster’s no-return policy helps protect the integrity of the ticketing process.
- Transfers are meant to be final – The purpose of transferring tickets is to securely and permanently transfer ownership to someone else. Allowing returns would undermine this intent.
- New barcodes are issued – When tickets are transferred, the barcode is invalidated and a new barcode is issued to the recipient. The old barcodes cannot be reactivated.
- Recipient may have already used the tickets – Once transferred, the recipient has full control and may have already used the tickets before you asked for them back.
So for these reasons, Ticketmaster does not have a functionality to return tickets after a completed transfer. The recipient is the new owner with no option to transfer them back.
What To Do If You Want Tickets Back
While you can’t directly get transferred tickets back, you do have some options if you regret transferring your tickets or if the recipient can no longer use them:
- Ask the recipient to transfer to someone else – You can request that the recipient transfers the tickets to another person of your choosing. They would have to agree and conduct the transfer.
- Have the recipient sell tickets back to you – The recipient could sell the tickets back to you at the original price. You would essentially repurchase the tickets.
- Sell the tickets on a resale site – If the event hasn’t happened yet, the recipient could sell the tickets on an official resale site like Ticketmaster Resale or NFL Ticket Exchange. You could then repurchase the tickets, with the recipient getting the profit.
- Eat the cost – If you can’t coordinate getting the tickets back, you may have to take the loss. Make sure you fully trust whoever you are transferring tickets to next time.
As a last resort, you can try contacting Ticketmaster to explain the situation. While they likely won’t directly return the transferred tickets, they may be able to help facilitate one of the options above if you’re lucky.
Avoiding Issues with Transferred Tickets
To avoid headaches over transferred tickets in the future, keep these tips in mind:
- Only transfer to someone you fully trust – Choose someone you know for sure will use the tickets, rather than a casual acquaintance.
- Communicate clearly – Discuss plans for using the tickets to prevent confusion down the line.
- Use Ticketmaster Resale – When reselling tickets, use the official Ticketmaster Resale platform which offers more protections.
- Review the transfer carefully – Double and triple check the details before finalizing the transfer to the recipient.
- Consider transfer limits – Some tickets have limits on how many times they can be transferred.
Following these tips will help ensure a smooth ticket transfer process without issues.
The Bottom Line
Once ticket transfers are complete on Ticketmaster, there is no way to directly get the tickets back. The transfer is final, and the recipient has full ownership of the tickets. However, you can take steps like having the recipient resell or transfer the tickets to get them back indirectly. To avoid headaches, only transfer tickets to trusted friends and family and use Ticketmaster’s official resale platform. While you can’t undo a transfer, careful planning can help avoid situations where you might want the tickets back.
Some examples data tables
Event | Date | Venue |
---|---|---|
Concert | June 1, 2023 | Madison Square Garden |
Football Game | September 15, 2023 | AT&T Stadium |
Broadway Show | March 12, 2023 | Majestic Theatre |
A table for steps to take if you want transferred tickets back
Step | Explanation |
---|---|
Ask recipient to transfer | Request recipient transfers tickets to someone of your choosing |
Have recipient sell back | Recipient can sell tickets back to you at original price |
Resell on resale site | Recipient can resell tickets and you repurchase through resale platform |
Eat the cost | Take the loss if you cannot get the tickets back |