Ticketmaster gift certificates are a popular gift choice for music and event lovers. The gift certificates can be used towards purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster for concerts, sports games, theater shows, and more. A common question that arises is whether Ticketmaster gift certificates expire and if so, when.
Do Ticketmaster gift certificates have an expiration date?
Yes, Ticketmaster gift certificates do have an expiration date. According to Ticketmaster’s website, gift certificates expire one year after the date of issue. The expiration date is printed on the gift certificate.
For example, if you purchase a Ticketmaster gift certificate on November 1, 2022, it will expire on November 1, 2023. You would have one year to use the value on the gift certificate towards Ticketmaster purchases.
What happens when a Ticketmaster gift certificate expires?
Once a Ticketmaster gift certificate expires, it is no longer valid for purchases. If you try to use an expired gift certificate, it will be rejected at checkout on Ticketmaster.com or their mobile apps.
Unfortunately, Ticketmaster does not offer extensions or renewals of expired gift certificates. Once the expiration date has passed, the gift certificate is void and the funds are forfeited.
Are there any exceptions to the expiration policy?
Ticketmaster does not make exceptions to their gift certificate expiration policy. All gift certificates expire one year after the date of issue, no matter the remaining balance or reason for not using it in time.
Even if you forgot about the gift certificate or couldn’t attend events during the validity period, it cannot be extended or redeemed after the printed expiration date.
What can you do with an expired Ticketmaster gift certificate?
Once a Ticketmaster gift certificate is expired, there are very limited options available:
- Attempt to use it anyway – Though it will be rejected at checkout, some have reported success contacting customer service and having an expired gift certificate honored.
- Exchange it – Some third party gift card exchange services may offer a portion of the original value in exchange for an expired Ticketmaster gift certificate. This can allow you to recoup a small amount of the funds.
- Throw it away – Unfortunately, if Ticketmaster rejects the expired gift certificate and exchange services do not accept it, throwing it away may be your only option.
How can you avoid Ticketmaster gift certificates expiring?
To prevent your Ticketmaster gift certificates from expiring, be sure to use them within one year of the issue date printed on the certificate. Some tips include:
- Use it quickly – Redeem your Ticketmaster gift certificate as soon as possible before an event that may sell out.
- Plan ahead – Have an event in mind to use the gift certificate for within the next year.
- Set reminders – Mark your calendar when the gift certificate will expire so you remember to use it in time.
- Register it – Registering the gift certificate may allow you to receive email reminders from Ticketmaster as the expiration date approaches.
Can you purchase Ticketmaster gift certificates that don’t expire?
Unfortunately, Ticketmaster does not offer gift certificates that never expire. All Ticketmaster gift certificates have a one year expiration term beginning on the date of issue printed on the certificate.
There is no option to purchase a non-expiring Ticketmaster gift certificate. To avoid expiration, you would need to redeem the full value of the gift certificate within one year of the issue date.
What are some alternatives to Ticketmaster gift certificates?
If you are looking to purchase tickets as a gift but want to avoid the expiration date on Ticketmaster gift certificates, some alternatives include:
- Ticketmaster eGifts – These virtual gifts allow you to select an event and send the tickets electronically. The recipient can redeem for that specific event at any time.
- Prepaid debit card – Load funds onto a prepaid debit card that the recipient can use towards Ticketmaster purchases online without expiration.
- Mobile ticket transfer – Purchase tickets to a specific event for your giftee and electronically transfer the tickets to them via Ticketmaster.
Conclusion
In summary, all Ticketmaster gift certificates expire one year after the issue date printed on the certificate. Once expired, the gift certificate is no longer valid for purchases. Make sure to use your Ticketmaster gift certificates in time and consider alternative gift ideas without expiration dates if needed.
Checking the expiration date before purchasing tickets and planning ahead to use your Ticketmaster gift certificates within one year is key to avoiding forfeiting the funds due to expiration.