Transferring a ticket to a friend is a common scenario for many events. Often, plans change and you can no longer attend an event you purchased tickets for. Rather than letting the ticket go to waste, you may want to give it to a friend so they can enjoy the show or game. The process of transferring or giving your ticket to someone else varies depending on the event. Here is an overview of how to give your ticket to a friend for different situations.
Transferring Tickets for Sporting Events and Concerts
For many major sporting events, concerts, and other popular ticketed events, the tickets will most likely need to be transferred officially or the new ticket holder will not be allowed entry. This is because these events use personalized tickets connected to the original purchaser for security purposes. Here are the general steps to transfer tickets:
– Check the official event or venue website for their ticket transfer policy. Many have specific instructions on how ticket transfers must be conducted through their official ticket partner.
– Log into your ticket account with the ticketing provider and find the ticket transfer option. Popular ticketing websites like Ticketmaster, AXS, and SeatGeek all have a way to officially transfer tickets to another person.
– Enter your friend’s name, email address or other contact information to identify the ticket transfer recipient. Make sure their contact info is accurate so they can accept the transfer.
– Complete the ticket transfer process. Usually there is a button to click to finalize it.
– Your friend will receive a notification that they need to accept the ticket transfer. Once they accept, the tickets will be associated with their account instead of yours.
– Your friend may need to create an account with the ticketing provider if they don’t already have one. The tickets cannot be fully transferred until there is an account to transfer them to.
Transferring Paper Tickets
If you purchased old school paper tickets to an event, the transfer process is much simpler. All you need to do is hand over the printed tickets to your friend. However, keep these tips in mind:
– Make sure your friend knows the details of the event – when and where it is happening. Give them any information that is not printed directly on the ticket.
– Write your friend’s name on the ticket so the ticket takers know the tickets are intended for them.
– Many paper tickets have a stub that is torn off. Make sure your friend gets the main ticket portion, not the stub.
– If possible, mail or secure deliver the tickets to your friend rather than hand over plain printed tickets that could be duplicated.
– Transferring paper tickets works best for local, smaller scale events rather than high profile events that require personalized tickets.
Giving Airline E-Tickets to a Friend
Airline tickets are also commonly transferred to other people. However, this process needs to be done through the airline directly, not on your own. Here is the standard procedure:
– Call the airline to ask about transferring your ticket to another person. There is usually a transfer fee.
– Provide the passenger’s name that should now be on the ticket. Make sure you have their accurate first, middle, and last name.
– You will need other information like their date of birth and gender as well as contact information.
– The new passenger will need to create their own frequent flyer account with the airline if they hope to collect miles for the flight.
– The new passenger should bring their ID matching the ticket information to check-in and when going through security.
Transferring Tickets Bought as a Group
If you purchased tickets as part of a group or package, it gets more complicated to transfer just one ticket. Here are some options:
– See if the event, venue, or ticketing provider allows you to split up the group and sell or transfer tickets individually.
– Sell the entire package to someone else who can use all the tickets. You can transfer the tickets to them.
– Eat the cost of the one ticket you can’t use and transfer the rest of the package to a friend who will use the other tickets.
– Find someone else in your friend group to take your spot and transfer the entire package to them. You work out reimbursement separately.
– Reach out to the original ticketing provider to explain the situation and see if they will allow a partial refund or split the group.
When to Transfer Tickets
Transferring tickets is usually time sensitive. To ensure a smooth transfer process, initiate the ticket transfer as soon as possible. Here are some recommendations on timing:
At Least 2-3 Weeks in Advance
Ideally you will know you can’t attend an event weeks in advance. This will give you plenty of time to transfer tickets properly through official channels. It also gives your friend time to accept the tickets and make arrangements to attend.
24-48 Hours for Quick Transfers
If you need to transfer a ticket last minute within a couple days of the event, aim to complete the transfer 24-48 hours in advance. This ensures enough time for the process and gives your friend notice about attending.
Day Before for Extremely Last Minute Changes
Transfers on the same day or day before an event should only be done for emergencies. Your friend will need to immediately accept and get ready to use the tickets. E-ticket transfers can sometimes process in hours, but day-of physical ticket transfers are riskier.
Months in Advance for Hot Events
The most popular concerts, games, and events require transferring tickets the moment you know you can’t go. Tickets sell out quickly so your friend will appreciate the extra months to plan around the event and get excited about attending. Don’t wait on hot ticket transfers!
How to Transfer Tickets Securely
To prevent ticket fraud and ensure a smooth transfer process, follow these security best practices:
Use Official Transfer Methods
Always transfer tickets through the official event or ticketing website. Avoid paper ticket exchanges, PDF copies, screenshots or other informal transfers. Official transfers track the ticket ownership and provide contact details for your friend.
Avoid Public Ticket Resale Sites
Never list a ticket for sale publicly online. This makes it vulnerable to scams and fraud. Someone could buy the ticket, make a copy, and try to use the duplicated tickets. Only transfer directly to a friend.
Double Check Contact Info
When entering your friend’s contact information to transfer tickets, carefully double check that you have entered their first name, last name, and email address correctly. Mistakes can cause delays and complications.
Tell Your Friend to Accept Quickly
Once you finalize the ticket transfer, let your friend know to accept it right away. Pending transfers can expire or get stuck. Accepting quickly secures the transfer.
Confirm the Transfer Went Through
Log into your ticket account after some time has passed to confirm the ticket was successfully transferred out of your name into your friend’s. Don’t assume it worked. Verify it.
Track Physical Ticket Delivery
If transferring paper tickets by mail, use a tracking service and share the tracking number with your friend. Only consider the transfer done when they receive and confirm ticket delivery.
Troubleshooting Tips
Despite best efforts, ticket transfers don’t always go smoothly. Here are some troubleshooting tips if you encounter issues:
Transfer Expired
If too much time passed before your friend accepted the transfer, it may have expired. Start the process over and emphasize they need to accept the tickets quickly. The transfer window is usually only 7-10 days.
Transfer Stuck Processing
Sometimes transfers get stuck in processing purgatory if there are website glitches or incorrect details entered. Contact the ticket provider for help completing the transfer. Keep trying if it gets stuck.
Tickets Already Transferred
If you try to transfer tickets that were already given to someone else, the transfer will be blocked or cancelled. Only transfer tickets once and avoid duplicate transfers to multiple people.
Unable to Split Group
Group tickets often can’t be partially transferred or split up. As frustrating as it is, you may need to eat the cost of the ticket you can’t use if a partial group transfer isn’t allowed.
New User Can’t Access Transferred Tickets
Your friend will not be able to download and access transferred tickets until they create an account with the ticketing provider. Make sure they sign up and log in before the event to access the tickets.
Refunds and Exchanges
If you realize too late that you can’t attend an event, transferring tickets to a friend may no longer be possible. Here are some last resort options:
Exchange Tickets for Different Date
Some events allow exchanging tickets for a different performance date, game date, or flight. There is usually an exchange fee but it is less than eating the entire ticket cost.
Sell Tickets on Resale Market
Ticket resale sites like StubHub allow selling tickets you can’t use. You won’t get back face value but can recoup some of the cost. Only use reputable resale platforms.
Gift Tickets
Consider transferring or gifting tickets to someone who otherwise couldn’t afford to attend, like a child or nonprofit organization. You can’t get your money back but at least someone enjoys the event.
Request Partial Refund
Some events offer partial refunds on unused tickets if requested far in advance, usually 50-75% of original cost. Better to get some money back directly than nothing at all.
Hope for Credit on Future Purchase
This is rare, but some ticketing companies will offer credit towards a future event if you need to cancel plans and communicate the situation nicely in advance. Doesn’t hurt to ask!
Conclusion
Transferring tickets you can no longer use can be a smooth process when done properly. Give yourself enough time to complete the transfer through official channels, carefully enter your friend’s information, confirm when it processes, and troubleshoot any issues that arise. With some planning and care, you can ensure your unused ticket doesn’t go to waste by getting it into the hands of an excited friend to enjoy the event in your place.
Ticket Type | Transfer Process | Security Tips |
---|---|---|
Online tickets for major events | Use official ticket account to transfer to friend’s account | Only transfer to trusted friends, avoid public resale |
Paper tickets | Physically give printed ticket to friend | Add friend’s name and mail ticket if possible |
Airline e-tickets | Call airline to change passenger name | Provide accurate new passenger info |
Group tickets | May be unable to split up, check policies | Transfer entire package or eat cost of unused seats |
Troubleshooting Issues
Transfer expired | Start over quickly, have friend accept ASAP |
Transfer stuck | Contact support to help process |
Already transferred | Only transfer once to avoid issues |
Can’t split group | May need to eat cost of unused tickets |
Can’t access transferred tickets | Make sure new user creates account |
Last Resort Options
Exchange for different date | Fee applies but cheaper than losing entire value |
Sell on resale site | Recoup partial value, use reputable sites |
Gift tickets | Lose money but help someone in need |
Request partial refund | Some events offer 50-75% back |
Hope for future credit | Rare but doesn’t hurt to ask! |