Transferring non-transferable tickets is often prohibited by the ticket issuer. However, there are some limited scenarios where transferring non-transferable tickets may be possible. The ability to transfer non-transferable tickets depends on the policies of the specific ticket issuer and event. Generally speaking, transferring non-transferable tickets comes with risks and should be approached with caution.
Why are some tickets non-transferable?
There are a few key reasons why some tickets are designated as non-transferable:
- To prevent unauthorized resale or scalping of tickets at inflated prices
- To maintain control over who can attend an event for security or capacity reasons
- To enforce limits on how many tickets each customer can purchase
- To enable customer identification or verification upon entry
By making tickets non-transferable, the issuer retains full control over ticket distribution and usage. It allows them to invalidate any tickets being resold or transferred against their policies.
Is it illegal to transfer non-transferable tickets?
Simply transferring non-transferable tickets is not necessarily illegal. However, it does violate the terms and conditions imposed by the ticket issuer. There are some circumstances where transferring non-transferable tickets could be illegal:
- Reselling non-transferable tickets for profit (“scalping”) is prohibited by law in some jurisdictions
- Using non-transferable tickets obtained fraudulently or without authorization may constitute theft or fraud
- Transferring tickets acquired through special discounts (e.g. student pricing) to ineligible attendees may violate terms of the discount
While the ticket holder normally faces no legal penalties for improperly transferring tickets, the recipient who attempts to use non-transferable tickets may be denied entry, have tickets revoked, or face civil penalties.
When can non-transferable tickets be transferred?
Non-transferable tickets are sometimes transferrable in limited scenarios such as:
- Gifting tickets to friends or family members
- Selling tickets through an approved resale platform sanctioned by the issuer
- Donating tickets to charity
- Transferring tickets to a minor under supervision of an adult ticket holder
The ticket issuer may allow transfers in special cases like severe illness, military deployment, or family emergencies. Some jurisdictions also have laws that require ticket issuers to allow transfers under certain circumstances.
It is important to check directly with the ticket issuer to see if any exceptions apply to their non-transferable ticket policy before attempting to transfer tickets.
Examples of issuers permitting limited transfers
Issuer | Transfer Policy Exceptions |
---|---|
Airlines | Name changes allowed for same flight with fees |
Theaters | Exchanges to different date allowed if unused |
Sports teams | Restricted resale on approved marketplace |
Risks of transferring non-transferable tickets
Attempting to transfer non-transferable tickets comes with a few key risks:
- Tickets may be canceled or invalidated by the issuer
- Entry may be denied at the venue if names don’t match ID
- You may lose money if required to purchase new tickets
- Your account with the ticket seller may be penalized or banned
- You have no recourse if transferred tickets turn out to be fraudulent or get lost
It’s important to weigh these potential downsides against any perceived benefit of transferring tickets against policy.
Ways issuers detect improper transfers
Ticket issuers have implemented various means to detect and prevent unauthorized transfers and resale of non-transferable tickets such as:
- Requiring valid photo ID matching ticket purchaser upon entry
- Tracking ticket barcodes or QR codes to identify improper transfers
- Canceling or invalidating tickets suspected of being resold
- Using ticket holder data and analytics to flag suspicious activity
- Blacklisting consumers who violate non-transfer policies from future sales
How to safely transfer non-transferable tickets
If you need to transfer non-transferable tickets, here are some tips to reduce risk:
- Review the ticket issuer’s policies closely and contact them to request an exception
- Only transfer to people you know and trust
- Avoid public resale sites not authorized by the issuer
- Transfer tickets for free or at face value, not for profit
- Update the name on the tickets to match the new ticket holder if allowed
- Bring a copy of communications with the issuer permitting the transfer
While not without risk, transfers may be tolerated by issuers if done in good faith between acquaintances for non-commercial purposes. Discussing the situation openly with the issuer and venue staff can help smooth the entry process.
Alternatives to transferring non-transferable tickets
Rather than transferring non-transferable tickets, safer alternatives include:
- Reselling legally through approved resale platforms
- Returning tickets for a refund if possible
- Absorbing the loss as a cost of the non-transfer policy
- Attending the event yourself and inviting the intended ticket recipient as your guest
If you need to transfer tickets for an emergency or unavoidable reason, communicate the situation clearly to the ticket issuer in advance to request an exemption from the policy.
Conclusion
Transferring non-transferable tickets is strongly discouraged in most cases due to the high risk of revocation, canceled entry, account penalties, or financial loss. However, limited transfers may be tolerated by certain issuers if done on a non-profit basis for friends or family with prior approval. Consumers should review non-transfer policies closely and contact issuers to discuss any extenuating circumstances requiring ticket transfers to avoid problems.