Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies, serving major entertainment venues and events around the world. If you’ve ever purchased tickets on Ticketmaster, you may have wondered if it’s possible to undo or cancel a ticket purchase. Here is a quick overview of Ticketmaster’s policies for canceling or refunding tickets.
Can you cancel a Ticketmaster ticket purchase?
In most cases, yes, you can cancel a Ticketmaster ticket purchase. However, the ability to cancel or get a refund depends on the type of ticket and when it was purchased.
Refunds and exchanges for standard tickets
For standard ticket purchases through Ticketmaster, you generally have up to one hour after the purchase to request a refund. This is Ticketmaster’s standard refund policy for most events and venues.
After the initial 1 hour refund period, refund availability is determined by the event’s organizer or venue policies. Many allow refunds or exchanges up to 30 days before the event. Others offer credit towards a future event rather than a full refund.
Verified resale tickets
For Ticketmaster Verified Resale tickets purchased through a fan-to-fan resale marketplace, all sales are final and cannot be refunded or exchanged. This applies even if the event is postponed, rescheduled or canceled.
Season tickets and packages
Sports teams and theaters often sell season ticket packages through Ticketmaster. The policies for refunds, exchanges and cancellations on these types of tickets can vary greatly depending on the organizer. Some may allow unlimited exchanges while others provide no refunds under any circumstances.
If you purchase a season ticket package, be sure to review the specific refund, exchange and cancellation details before completing the order.
How to request a Ticketmaster refund or exchange
If you purchase tickets that are refundable within the initial 1 hour window, you can request a refund directly through your Ticketmaster account. Simply log in, find the order and select the “Refund” option.
For refunds or exchanges outside of the 1 hour policy, you will typically need to contact Ticketmaster’s customer service department. You can reach them by phone at (800) 653-8000 or initiate a live chat through your Ticketmaster account.
Have your order number ready and be prepared to explain why you are requesting a refund or exchange. If available, the customer service agent will be able to process your request during the call or chat.
Important notes
- Refunds are generally credited back to the original payment method used for purchase.
- Exchange and upgrade fees may apply when exchanging tickets for a different event or seating location.
- For non-refundable tickets, the only option is to resell them through Ticketmaster’s fan resale marketplaces.
Tips for avoiding the need to cancel Ticketmaster tickets
To avoid having to request refunds or deal with non-refundable tickets, keep these tips in mind when purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster:
Be sure of your plans before buying tickets
Try not to buy tickets too far in advance if your plans are uncertain. Wait until your schedule is more firm before making a purchase.
Review event details before purchasing
Always check the event date, time and location closely before finalizing a ticket order. This ensures you are buying tickets for the correct event.
Understand venue and organizer policies
Ticket policies like refunds and exchanges can vary greatly. Read up on the specific policies that apply to your tickets before buying.
Avoid reseller tickets
Tickets purchased through resellers and secondary markets like StubHub are usually final sale. Stick to primary market tickets sold directly by Ticketmaster to ensure refund availability.
Purchase ticket insurance
Many events allow you to add ticket insurance during the Ticketmaster checkout process for an additional fee. This can allow refunds for covered reasons like illness even for typically non-refundable tickets.
Can you dispute a Ticketmaster purchase with your credit card?
In some cases, you may be able to dispute a Ticketmaster purchase with your credit card company and receive a refund that way. However, success is not guaranteed.
Reasons credit card disputes may work
- The event was canceled or postponed and Ticketmaster is not providing refunds
- You purchased counterfeit or fraudulent tickets
- You did not receive the tickets you purchased
- There was an error in the ticket details, such as incorrect event name, date or venue
Reasons credit card disputes may not work
- You simply changed your mind about attending the event
- You missed the window to request a refund from Ticketmaster
- The tickets are non-refundable per the event policies
Before initiating a chargeback, always contact Ticketmaster first to discuss a refund directly. Chargebacks can lead to your Ticketmaster account being penalized with fees or loss of privileges.
Common Ticketmaster purchase issues
Here are some of the most common problems that can come up with Ticketmaster orders and how best to handle them:
Website errors during purchase
If you encounter tech issues on Ticketmaster’s website during the ticket buying process, don’t worry – your order is not final until you receive the confirmation page. If you did not get to a confirmation screen, it’s likely your purchase did not complete. Contact customer service if you have any uncertainty.
Duplicate orders
Accidentally placing the same ticket order twice is a common mistake on Ticketmaster. If this happens, request a refund on the duplicate order immediately once you notice the error.
Tickets not received
You should receive your Ticketmaster tickets via email, mobile delivery or mail-out within 7-10 days at the latest. If tickets still have not arrived by then, contact support right away to report the issue.
Error in ticket details
Sometimes there can be mistakes in the listed event name, date, seats or other ticket details. If you notice an error, don’t panic. Contact Ticketmaster as soon as possible to explain the issue and request an exchange for the correct tickets.
Event is postponed or canceled
If an event gets rescheduled or canceled altogether, Ticketmaster will email you with instructions for refunds or exchanges. You can also take the initiative to contact their support team directly to discuss options.
Key takeaways
- Standard Ticketmaster tickets can be refunded within 1 hour of purchase
- After that, refund availability depends on the event’s specific policies
- Season tickets, verified resale tickets and other specialty offerings have their own rules
- You can request a refund by contacting Ticketmaster customer service
- A credit card dispute is an option for refunds denied by Ticketmaster but is not guaranteed to work
- Take care when purchasing tickets to avoid needing a refund later on
Conclusion
Ticketmaster offers fair and flexible options for canceling and refunding ticket orders in many cases. Be aware of the 1 hour refund window on all purchases, read event policy details closely, and don’t hesitate to contact customer service if any issues come up. With proper care taken during the ticket buying process, you should be able to avoid situations where you need to undo a Ticketmaster ticket purchase.