Transferring tickets on Ticketmaster typically takes 1-2 business days. Once you initiate a ticket transfer, the recipient needs to accept the transfer. After acceptance, Ticketmaster will update the ticket barcodes and send new tickets to the recipient’s account within 1-2 business days. Weekends and holidays may add delay. Overall, expect a quick turnaround, but build in a buffer of a few days when planning.
Examining the Ticket Transfer Process on Ticketmaster
To understand the timeframe, let’s walk through what’s involved step-by-step:
- Initiating the Transfer – This first step happens instantly online. The ticket holder signs into their Ticketmaster account online or in the app, selects the event and tickets, and sends a transfer request by entering the recipient’s email address.
- Recipient Acceptance – An email is sent to the recipient with transfer details and a link to accept. The recipient has 24 hours to accept before the transfer request expires. Acceptance is near instant after clicking the link.
- Ticket Update – After acceptance, Ticketmaster starts the process of voiding the current tickets and issuing new ones. The original ticket barcodes are invalidated and new barcodes are generated.
- Delivery of Updated Tickets – The final step is delivery of the new tickets to the recipient’s Ticketmaster account. Ticketmaster states this happens within 1-2 business days after the transfer is accepted.
So in total, expect 1-2 business days after initiating and accepting the transfer. Weekends and holidays can delay the process, as Ticketmaster only processes transfers on business days. For busy events, build in extra buffer just in case.
Initiating the Transfer is Instant
The ticket holder can initiate a transfer instantly online or through the Ticketmaster app. Just log into your Ticketmaster account, select the event and tickets you wish to transfer, enter the recipient’s email address, and hit send.
An email is immediately sent to the recipient with transfer details and a link to accept. So the initiating side moves very quickly.
Recipient Acceptance Can Take Up to 24 Hours
Once initiated, the recipient has 24 hours to accept the transfer before it expires. Accepting is instant after clicking the link in the email, but delays can happen if:
- The recipient doesn’t see the email right away
- Link expires because recipient took too long to accept
- Link doesn’t work or recipient has trouble accepting
To avoid delays, request the recipient accept right away. Follow up by phone if needed. Transfers can’t proceed until officially accepted.
Ticket Updates Take 1-2 Business Days
After acceptance, Ticketmaster needs 1-2 business days to process and deliver the ticket updates. This involves:
- Voiding out the original ticket barcodes to invalidate them
- Generating new barcodes to issue replacement tickets
- Updating the ticket accounts to reflect the recipient as the new owner
Ticketmaster only processes transfers on business days, so weekends and holidays add delays. For very high demand events, more time may be needed for the ticket update.
New Tickets Delivered to Recipient’s Account
As the final step, the freshly minted tickets get delivered to the recipient’s Ticketmaster account. Expect this 1-2 business days after acceptance.
The recipient will get an email when the transfer is complete and new tickets are available. They can then log into their Ticketmaster account online or in the app to access the updated tickets.
Tips for a Speedy Transfer
To ensure a quick ticket transfer on Ticketmaster, keep these tips in mind:
- Communicate ahead of time – Discuss transfer plans with your recipient and pick a transfer date. Confirm they have a Ticketmaster account.
- Avoid holidays or weekends – Initiate the transfer early in the week so business days are available for processing.
- Follow up on acceptance – Make sure recipient accepts right away. Call or text if you don’t see acceptance.
- Check progress – Log into your Ticketmaster account to monitor the transfer status.
- Build in extra time – For hot events, give a few extra days buffer for the updates to process.
Transfer Restrictions
Ticketmaster does impose some restrictions that can complicate or block transfers:
- Event organizer may disable transfers
- Tickets may be non-transferable if tied to original purchaser
- Limits on number of times each ticket can be transferred
- Deadlines for completing transfers may be imposed
Always check the transfer policy for your specific event. Restrictions are usually stated during the ticket purchase flow. Certain high demand and VIP events are more likely to have tighter transfer limitations.
Alternative Transfer Options
If Ticketmaster transfer is unavailable or not ideal, look into these alternative approaches:
- Ticketmaster Ticket Exchange – Sell tickets via Ticketmaster’s official resale marketplace.
- Other resale sites – Sell tickets on StubHub, Vivid Seats, or other major resale platforms.
- Private sale – Arrange a private ticket sale through community groups, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or your own social network.
- In-person exchange – Physically meet to exchange ticket. Riskier for buyer.
Each option has pros and cons to weigh. Exchanges via friends or resale platforms are common Ticketmaster workarounds.
Contact Ticketmaster Support for Issues
Stuck transfers or acceptance troubles? Contact Ticketmaster Fan Support for assistance. Reach out via:
- Phone – +1 (800) 653-8000 (toll-free support number)
- Online – Request support via the “Contact Us” page on Ticketmaster.com
- Social Media – Message @Ticketmaster or @TM_FanSupport on Twitter
Support agents can help troubleshoot issues or unstick delayed transfers. Provide order numbers and ticket details.
Key Takeaways
- Ticket transfers on Ticketmaster take approximately 1-2 business days after initiating and acceptance.
- The ticket holder can instantly begin the transfer online, but allow time for recipient acceptance.
- Ticket updates by Ticketmaster are processed on business days, so expect delays on weekends/holidays.
- Build in extra buffer time around busy events or travel dates to avoid hassles.
- Check for event transfer restrictions that may complicate or block transfers.