Transferring tickets on Ticketmaster can seem complicated, but it’s actually a straightforward process once you understand the steps. Here is a detailed guide on how to safely and successfully transfer tickets using Ticketmaster’s online tools.
What is Ticket Transferring?
A ticket transfer allows the original ticket purchaser to electronically send tickets they bought on Ticketmaster to someone else. This enables the ticket holder to give away or sell their tickets through Ticketmaster rather than having to physically meet up to exchange paper tickets.
Ticket transfers are useful in many scenarios, such as when you can no longer attend an event and want to send the tickets to a friend, or when you purchased tickets as a gift for someone else. It provides a secure and convenient method of transferring ownership of tickets.
Requirements for Transferring Tickets
There are a few requirements in order to transfer tickets on Ticketmaster:
- The tickets must have been purchased directly through Ticketmaster, either online or by phone. This includes primary tickets bought during presales or general sales, as well as resale/exchange tickets purchased through Ticketmaster’s resale marketplace.
- The tickets must not have been claimed yet. Claimed tickets are tied to the purchaser and cannot be transferred.
- Both the sender and receiver need a Ticketmaster account. If the receiver doesn’t have an account, they will need to create one in order to receive the tickets.
- There are no fees to transfer tickets through Ticketmaster. However, if the tickets are being sold above face value through Ticketmaster’s resale platform, the seller will need to list them for resale first before transferring to complete that sale.
Step-by-Step Guide to Transferring Tickets
Follow these steps to complete a ticket transfer on Ticketmaster:
- Log into your Ticketmaster account – Go to ticketmaster.com and click “My Account” to log in. You’ll need to log in to the account that originally purchased the tickets.
- Find your tickets – Once logged in, you’ll be directed to your tickets page that shows all upcoming events you have tickets for. You can also click “My Events” at the top to view your tickets.
- Select the event – Choose the specific event for the tickets you want to transfer. When you click on the event name, it will show details about the tickets.
- Click “Transfer Tickets” – There will be a button that says “Transfer Tickets.” Click this to start the transfer process.
- Select tickets – On the next page, check the boxes next to the specific tickets you want to transfer from your order. You can select all or just some of them.
- Enter recipient details – You’ll need to enter the recipient’s name, email address, and an optional message. The email address should match their Ticketmaster login.
- Send transfer – Once all details are entered, click “Send Transfer” to complete the process on your end.
- Recipient accepts transfer – The recipient will receive an email from Ticketmaster with a link to accept the transfer. They simply need to click the link and log into their Ticketmaster account to claim the tickets.
- Confirmation – Once the recipient accepts and claims the tickets, you will both receive a confirmation email from Ticketmaster that the transfer is complete.
Important Notes About Transferring Tickets
Here are some key points to keep in mind when transferring tickets on Ticketmaster:
- You can only transfer tickets using the Ticketmaster website or mobile app, over the phone transfers are not available.
- Make sure to double check the recipient’s email address before sending the transfer, as you won’t be able to cancel it once sent.
- Transfers must be completed at least 24 hours before the event’s start time.
- If transferring a paper ticket, you must overnight ship the ticket to the recipient for them to gain entry. Only electronic tickets can be fully transferred online.
- The tickets’ original purchase price will be visible to the recipient. However, if you are selling tickets above face value, that negotiated price will not be shown.
- You cannot transfer tickets bought via print-at-home to someone else. Those would need to be physically printed and shipped.
Troubleshooting Ticket Transfers
Hopefully the ticket transfer process goes smoothly. But if any issues come up, here is how to troubleshoot:
- Recipient never received transfer email – First, double check that you entered their email correctly. If so, have them check spam folders. If there is still no email, you can cancel the original transfer and try sending it again.
- Transfer link expired – Transfer links expire after 72 hours. If it has been past that time, you’ll need to cancel the original transfer and resend a new one.
- Transfer not working – Make sure the tickets are still unclaimed by clicking into your order. If they show as transferred already, you cannot send them again. Contact Ticketmaster if the tickets show unclaimed but the transfer won’t process.
- Want to cancel transfer – If a recipient hasn’t accepted the transfer yet, you may be able to cancel it from your account manager, if that option is available. If not, your only option is to have the recipient decline the transfer when they receive the email.
If you continue to have trouble with a transfer, you can contact Ticketmaster’s customer support for assistance. There are options to call or chat online with a representative who can look into the specific issue and help resolve it.
Using Ticketmaster’s Official Ticket Exchange
Ticketmaster also has an official resale marketplace called Ticket Exchange that allows ticket holders to resell their tickets at a price they set. This is different from a transfer because it allows you to sell your tickets above face value.
Here is an overview of how it works:
- List your tickets for sale on Ticket Exchange at the price you want to sell them for.
- Buyers can browse tickets and purchase directly through Ticketmaster.
- Once a buyer purchases your tickets, you need to formally transfer them via Ticketmaster to complete the sale.
- Ticketmaster charges service fees to both the buyer and seller for ticket resales.
The main benefit of Ticket Exchange is that buyers and sellers are protected by Ticketmaster’s FanProtect Guarantee. Payments are held securely until after the event when buyers confirm they received valid tickets. It provides a safer resale environment compared to secondary ticketing websites.
Safely Selling Tickets
If you can no longer attend an event and want to sell your tickets, there are a few things to keep in mind for a safe transaction outside of the Ticket Exchange:
- Be wary of buyers who want to pay with cashier’s check or money order. Only accept secure payments that you can verify, like credit card or PayPal.
- Avoid wire transfers, prepaid cards, gift cards or other irreversible forms of payment in case the buyer turns out to fraudulent.
- Do not accept offers from buyers wanting to overpay with the expectation that you refund the difference. This is likely a scam.
- Only sell to buyers you can meet in person if dealing with paper tickets. This minimizes the risk of counterfeits.
- Use a ticket resale platform like StubHub if you want added security in the transaction when selling e-tickets to distant buyers.
While unlikely, there is always a slim possibility a ticket buyer could try to scam a seller. Take reasonable precautions and trust your instincts to avoid being taken advantage of.
Gifting Tickets Securely
Rather than selling tickets, a transfer is a great way to securely gift tickets to friends and family. Here are some tips for giving away tickets:
- Make sure you enter the correct name and email address of who you intend to gift the tickets to so they receive the transfer email.
- Give them a heads up you are sending tickets so they know to look out for the transfer email and can add it to their Ticketmaster account right away.
- Forward them the ticket transfer confirmation email once complete so they have a record of the ticket details.
- If giving paper tickets as a gift, use a trackable shipping method so you can confirm delivery.
With e-tickets, transferring through Ticketmaster is quick and easy for gifting tickets securely. The recipient is immediately able to add them to their account for safekeeping. Just avoid any delays in having them accept the transfer in case links expire before claimed.
Reasons to Transfer Tickets
There are many different reasons you might need to transfer tickets. Here are some of the most common scenarios where transferring tickets comes in handy:
- Can no longer attend – If something comes up and you can no longer go to the event, transferring allows you to get the tickets to someone who can still use them.
- Gifting tickets – Purchasing tickets for someone else as a gift is made easy with transfers.
- Ticket won in contest – If you win free tickets that end up being electronic, they’ll likely need to be transferred to you.
- Group couldn’t go – If buying tickets for a group and some members can’t attend, you can send their tickets directly to someone else now able to go.
- Sold extra tickets – Having a way to securely transfer tickets allows you to safely sell extra tickets you don’t need.
- Emergency came up – Family or work emergencies that suddenly prevent you from attending can be resolved by transferring tickets.
Whatever circumstances arise where you can’t use tickets, Ticketmaster’s transfer feature provides a convenient way to get them to someone who can attend instead of the tickets going to waste.
Avoiding Scams
There are some scam scenarios to watch out for when transferring tickets:
- Fake buyer – Someone claims they will buy your tickets, but then sends a fake “confirmation” email pretending to be Ticketmaster to trick you into sending the transfer.
- Fake seller – A scammer lists tickets for sale, demands payment upfront, then disappears without ever transferring tickets.
- Fake tickets – Buyer purchases counterfeit paper tickets that won’t scan at the venue. Only buy/sell non-transferrable paper tickets in person.
- Fake website – Scammers create convincing fake Ticketmaster websites designed to steal your login and password.
Protect yourself by only using the real Ticketmaster website, contacting Ticketmaster if something seems suspicious, meeting locally for paper tickets, and not paying for electronic transfers until after you receive the tickets.
Saving Money on Transfers
There are no Ticketmaster fees to do a basic ticket transfer between accounts. However, you can incur fees if:
- Selling tickets above face value through Ticket Exchange. Both the buyer and seller pay a fee.
- Transferring paper tickets via overnight shipping. You cover the shipping cost.
- Using a ticket resale platform like StubHub to facilitate the sale. The platform generally charges commission fees.
To avoid fees, your best options are to do a direct electronic transfer to someone you know for free through Ticketmaster, or meet locally to exchange paper tickets by hand. This avoids any shipping or third-party transfer costs.
You can also save money if transferring tickets you can no longer use by:
- Gifting to a friend or family member who can use them rather than letting them go to waste.
- Selling at face value just to recover some of your costs.
- Donating tickets to charity so they can be used by those less fortunate.
Transferring unwanted tickets does not have to be a profit-generating venture. Sometimes just passing them along to someone else can recoup a little money or ensure they will get used.
FAQs About Ticketmaster Transfers
Is there a time limit to transfer tickets?
Yes, Ticketmaster typically recommends completing transfers at least 24 hours before the event start time. Some venues or events may set earlier deadlines. Make sure to initiate the transfer with enough time for the recipient to accept and process it.
Can you transfer tickets bought from a third party?
No, only tickets originally purchased through Ticketmaster can be transferred via their system. If you bought from an unofficial resale site, you’ll need to contact them about transferring procedures.
What if I sent the transfer to the wrong email address?
If you entered an incorrect email for the recipient, unfortunately there is no way to cancel the transfer once sent. The only option is to wait for it to expire after 72 hours and initiate a new transfer using the correct email address.
How do I transfer paper tickets?
For paper/hard tickets you must physically mail them by a trackable shipping method to the recipient. Only electronic tickets can be fully transferred online through Ticketmaster. Overnight shipping is recommended to ensure timely delivery.
Can I transfer tickets bought as a season ticket package?
It depends. Season ticket packages and passes are often non-transferrable. Check the specific resale policy for those tickets first before trying to transfer them.
What if my tickets got lost in the mail during transfer?
If you shipped paper tickets that never arrived, contact Ticketmaster as soon as possible and notify them of the situation. They can work with you on next steps such as invalidating the original tickets and reissuing new ones.
Is there a fee to transfer tickets?
Ticketmaster does not charge a fee for a standard transfer between accounts. However, selling tickets above face value through Ticket Exchange does incur fees for both the buyer and seller.
Conclusion
Transferring tickets on Ticketmaster provides a secure, convenient method for sending your tickets to someone else electronically. By following the proper steps, you can successfully transfer tickets to friends, family, or new buyers.
Be sure to initiate the transfer with ample time for the recipient to process it before the event. Only use Ticketmaster’s official website and be wary of potential scams. With an understanding of how Ticketmaster transfers work, you can easily send your tickets to someone else to use when you can’t attend an event yourself.