When purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster, one of the key things buyers want to know is how long it will take for their payment to go through. Ticketmaster offers several different payment options, so the amount of time it takes for payments to process can vary depending on the method used. In this article, we’ll provide a breakdown of the most common Ticketmaster payment methods and how long each typically takes to process.
Credit and Debit Cards
The most popular payment method on Ticketmaster is credit or debit cards. This includes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, and JCB cards. For most card purchases on Ticketmaster, the payment is processed immediately and the charge will show up on your account right away.
However, it can sometimes take 1-3 business days for the pending charge to post to your account, depending on your bank’s processing times. The pending charge is mainly for the bank to verify there are sufficient funds in your account. Once the charge is verified, it will post as a completed transaction.
In most cases, if you are purchasing e-tickets that can be accessed online or through the Ticketmaster app, your card will be charged immediately and you will be able to access your tickets right away. The only exception is if you are purchasing physical tickets that need to be mailed – then your card may not be charged until the tickets are shipped out.
Instant Delivery vs. Standard Delivery
Ticketmaster also offers an instant delivery option at checkout for an additional fee. If you select instant delivery, your card will be processed right away and you will have access to your e-tickets within 5-10 minutes.
With standard delivery, which has no extra fee, your card is still processed immediately but it can take up to a few hours for the e-tickets to appear in your Ticketmaster account.
PayPal
PayPal is another common payment method accepted by Ticketmaster. Payments made via PayPal tend to process very quickly, usually within minutes after completing your transaction.
However, it can sometimes take up to 24 hours for the funds to clear from your PayPal account, depending on factors like verification requirements. If you fund your PayPal purchase with a bank account, debit card, or credit card, Ticketmaster will process the order immediately but it may take 1-3 business days for PayPal to pull the funds from your linked funding source.
One advantage with PayPal is you don’t have to provide sensitive financial information during checkout. The payment is processed through your PayPal account. PayPal may also offer buyer protection on certain purchases, which adds an extra layer of security.
Ticketmaster Gift Cards
If you redeem a Ticketmaster gift card during checkout, the funds will be immediately applied to your purchase. There is no waiting period for gift card payments to process. The gift card balance is stored in your Ticketmaster account and deducted as soon as you complete the transaction.
Ticketmaster Vouchers
Ticketmaster vouchers work similarly to gift cards – the value is applied to your order right away and deducted from your Ticketmaster account when you finish the purchase. Some common examples of Ticketmaster vouchers include:
- Credit from postponed or rescheduled events
- Compensation for issues like canceled or changed events
- Discount codes or promo vouchers
In most cases, vouchers are usable immediately and the funds are available as soon as they are uploaded to your account.
Prepay with TicketFast Delivery
Ticketmaster also offers a Prepay with TicketFast delivery option. This allows you to prepay for your order with a credit card to lock in your tickets. You’ll need to complete the prepaid order prior to the tickets officially going on sale.
Once the tickets go on sale, Ticketmaster will automatically process your order and instantly deliver your e-tickets. So your card is pre-authorized at the time your place the order, not officially processed until the tickets go on sale.
Official Platinum Seats with Deferred Delivery
For Official Platinum seats purchased via Ticketmaster, the payment method is slightly different. These tickets must be paid for with a credit card, but the card is not actually charged until one business day before the event.
This deferred delivery method places a hold authorization on your credit card at the time of purchase. The final payment will process automatically the day before the event. If you want instant delivery instead, you’d need to choose an alternate delivery method during checkout.
Alternate Payment Methods
In limited situations, Ticketmaster may accept alternate forms of payment for ticket orders such as:
- Wire transfers – these take 1-3 business days to fully process
- Cashier’s checks – process time varies depending on mailing and delivery
- Money orders – process time varies depending on mailing and delivery
The availability of these alternate payment methods depends on the event and other factors. In most cases, credit cards, PayPal, or gift cards will be the recommended options.
Factors That Impact Processing Times
While the above estimates provide a general overview of payment processing times on Ticketmaster, there are a few key factors that can impact the timing:
- High demand events – Transactions may take longer to process during high volume sales when Ticketmaster’s servers are very busy.
- Issues entering payment details – Incorrect payment details can delay processing while verification takes place.
- Bank/financial institution delays – Occasionally delays on the back end from your bank or credit card company can postpone transaction clearance.
- Technical difficulties – Website errors or crashes during checkout can sometimes interrupt payments.
The majority of purchases on Ticketmaster will process instantly or within a few minutes. But especially for very popular events or peak sales times, some payments may take longer than usual to fully clear based on the above factors.
Tips for Speeding Up Your Payment
If you want to complete your Ticketmaster purchase as quickly as possible, here are some tips that may help speed up payment processing:
- Avoid high traffic times – Purchase your tickets right when they go on sale or during lower traffic periods to minimize delays.
- Have your payment details ready – Entering complete and accurate payment information can help prevent processing issues.
- Use instant delivery – Select the instant delivery option at checkout to expedite e-ticket delivery.
- Stick to major card brands – Globally recognized cards like Visa and Mastercard tend to process quicker than niche card types.
- Use digital wallets – Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are designed for fast checkout.
- Double check your info – Carefully review all your payment and contact details before submitting to avoid potential mistakes.
While Ticketmaster tries to process orders as rapidly as possible, increased demand and other factors can sometimes delay certain purchases. Planning ahead and selecting instant delivery at checkout are two of the best ways to maximize the chances your tickets are purchased quickly.
Contact Ticketmaster Support If Needed
In rare cases, payments may fail to process properly due to technical errors or other issues. If your Ticketmaster transaction remains pending longer than expected or you encounter an error message, it’s recommended to contact their customer support team for assistance.
You can reach Ticketmaster customer service by:
- Calling their support line at +63 2 4887791 (Philippines)
- Initiating a live chat on their website
- Emailing them at [email protected]
- Visiting a Ticketmaster booth at select venues
Their support team can look into the status of your order and payment details to resolve any processing issues. They may be able to reprocess the transaction or verify that it ultimately went through successfully. Getting in touch with customer service is recommended if your Ticketmaster purchase remains stuck in a pending state for an extended period.
Check Order Status in Your Ticketmaster Account
You can also log into your Ticketmaster account online or via the mobile app to view the status of orders and payments. This will show processing details, pending charges, completed transactions, and more. Checking your purchase status through your account is often the quickest way to get real-time updates on payment processing.
For e-tickets, you can view status updates on when they will be available for access. The Ticketmaster account dashboard provides visibility into each stage of the checkout and fulfillment process.
How to Get Refunds for Delayed or Incomplete Payments
If a payment fails to go through properly before a ticketed event and you miss out, you may be eligible for a refund from Ticketmaster. There are a few different ways refunds can be issued:
- Credit back to your original payment method – This is typically how refunded payments are returned when an order was placed but payment failed or was delayed.
- Refund to your Ticketmaster account – Funds may be credited to your Ticketmaster account wallet if an event was canceled, postponed, or you verify you can no longer attend within the refund window.
- Voucher for a future Ticketmaster event – In some cases, a voucher may be issued instead of a cash refund that can be applied to future Ticketmaster purchases.
If an order fails to complete payment before a deadline, Ticketmaster will typically email you with options or instructions for getting a refund. You may need to contact customer support directly to start the refund process if payments remain pending for too long leading up to an event.
The Bottom Line
Ticketmaster aims to process payments instantly whenever possible so customers can access e-tickets quickly. Most credit card and PayPal transactions complete within minutes, but it can take 1-3 days for the charges to fully clear from your account. Gift cards, vouchers, and Ticketmaster account balances deduct funds immediately.
Higher traffic sales periods can sometimes delay payments if the website is experiencing heavy loads. Entering accurate payment details, avoiding errors, and selecting instant delivery when available are key strategies for minimizing chances of payment delays. Contacting customer service is recommended if transactions remain stuck in a pending state to resolve potential processing issues.