If you want to transfer or resell your Ticketmaster tickets, the first thing you need to check is whether they are eligible for transfer in the first place. Not all Ticketmaster tickets can be transferred or resold. Here are some tips to help you determine if your tickets are transferable:
1. Check the initial ticket purchase confirmation email
When you first bought the Ticketmaster tickets, you should have received a confirmation email with details of your purchase. Scroll down and look for the “Transfer Restrictions” section in that email.
This section will indicate if your tickets are eligible for transfer. Common transfer restrictions include:
- Non-transferable – Cannot be transferred under any circumstance
- Unavailable for resale – Can be transferred privately but not resold
- Eligible for transfer – Can be transferred privately or resold on Ticketmaster
If your confirmation email does not specify any transfer restrictions, it typically means your tickets are fully transferable.
2. Check your Ticketmaster account purchase history
Log into your Ticketmaster account online or via the mobile app and view your purchase history. Select the relevant order and scroll down to view the ticket transfer policy.
It will be clearly stated if your tickets are non-transferable, unavailable for resale, or eligible for transfer/resale. This is another quick way to check the transfer status if you no longer have the confirmation email.
3. Verify directly on the ticket
If you have already received the physical tickets, check the fine print on the ticket. Look for phrases like “Non-Transferable” or “Resale Restricted.”
There may also be a barcode or serial number on the ticket that you can reference on the Ticketmaster website to view the transfer policy. Simply go to the Ticketmaster ticket transfer page and enter the ticket details.
4. Check the event transfer policy
Certain high-profile events like concerts may have specific transfer policies applied universally across all tickets. This would override any default Ticketmaster transfer settings.
To check, go to the Ticketmaster event page and click “View event transfer policy.” This will display whether tickets for that event can be transferred or not.
5. Contact Ticketmaster support
If you are still unsure about your ticket transfer status, reach out directly to Ticketmaster Fan Support. They can look up your ticket purchase in their system and advise if it is eligible for transfer.
You can contact Ticketmaster support by email, phone, chat or via social media like Twitter. Provide your order number for fast verification.
6. Review the venue’s transfer policy
Some venues may impose their own transfer restrictions for all tickets sold for events held there. This would apply even to Ticketmaster tickets.
Check the website of the venue where your event is taking place. Look under FAQs or the venue policies section for their transfer rules. This will clarify if venue-level restrictions are present.
7. Try to post them for resale on Ticketmaster
Attempt to relist your Ticketmaster tickets for resale on their Ticket Exchange platform. If you are blocked from doing so, it likely indicates your tickets cannot be resold.
If Ticket Exchange allows you to proceed with posting the tickets for resale, then your tickets are transferable.
Note that the tickets may incur a resell fee charged by the venue or event organizer.
8. Review the original onsale details
When the tickets first went on sale, how were they sold? If tickets were part of Ticketmaster Platinum, VIP packages, fan club presales, or credit card presales, they typically cannot be resold.
Review the Ticketmaster event page for background on any presale or special ticket packages. Cross-check if your tickets fall under the non-transferable inventory.
9. Verify the ticket source
Where did you obtain the Ticketmaster tickets originally? If they were tickets transferred to you privately, gifted to you, won in a contest, or obtained via any third-party source, there is a higher chance they are non-transferable.
Touts and unauthorized resellers may also knowingly sell restricted tickets. Exercise caution when reselling such tickets.
10. Understand the primary transfer restrictions
Familiarize yourself with the main transfer and resale restrictions imposed on Ticketmaster tickets:
- Artist or team request – Performers can request non-transferable tickets
- Contractual obligations – Venues and event organizers may impose restrictions
- Fan club presales – Usually cannot be resold
- Special packages – VIP, Platinum tickets are often non-transferable
- Prevent fraud and profiteering – Limits resellers from inflating prices
By checking your ticket against these common restrictions, you can determine if it is likely transferable or not before attempting to resell it.
11. Beware of ticket fraud
Fake, duplicate or stolen Ticketmaster tickets are always non-transferable for obvious reasons. Any tickets that fall into these categories should never be resold or transferred under any circumstances.
Many top events like Super Bowl or Olympics have special fraud detection measures to identify and cancel any suspicious tickets. Avoid buying or reselling any tickets that seem questionable.
12. Use fan ticket exchanges
For events with high transfer restrictions, fans have created unofficial exchanges to swap tickets privately. Search “{Event name} tickets swap” on Google to find such exchanges on social media and forums.
While Ticketmaster may prohibit reselling these tickets, they generally cannot restrict private transfers between fans. Use at your own discretion.
Conclusion
Checking your Ticketmaster tickets for transfer eligibility may seem complicated due to the many factors involved. However, arming yourself with the right information on where to check for restrictions and the common transfer policies will ensure you can successfully resell your tickets if transferable.
Always double and triple check the transfer status before committing to buy or resell any Ticketmaster tickets.