Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket providers for live entertainment events in the United States and around the world. With so many tickets being purchased through their platform, it’s common for customers to wonder about Ticketmaster’s return and refund policies in case plans change and they can no longer attend an event.
In the opening section of this article, we’ll provide quick answers to some common questions around Ticketmaster’s return policy and guidelines. Further details will be covered in depth throughout the rest of the article.
Quick Answers on Ticketmaster’s Return Policy
Does Ticketmaster allow returns or refunds?
In most cases, no. Ticketmaster does not allow returns or refunds on tickets purchased through their platform. However, exceptions may be made in certain extenuating circumstances.
Can I get a refund if I can no longer attend the event?
You cannot obtain a refund from Ticketmaster simply because you can no longer attend the event. However, if the event is postponed, rescheduled, or canceled, you may be eligible for a refund. Extenuating circumstances may also sometimes warrant a refund at Ticketmaster’s discretion.
Are all tickets non-refundable?
Nearly all tickets purchased through Ticketmaster are non-refundable. However, select tickets may be refundable if labeled as such during the purchasing process. Refundable tickets are rare and will cost more upfront.
Can I resell or transfer my tickets instead of getting a refund?
Yes, Ticketmaster allows ticket transfers or resales through their fan-to-fan ticket exchange. This allows you to recoup some of your money by reselling tickets you can no longer use.
Ticketmaster’s Standard No Refund Policy
Ticketmaster’s standard policy is that all ticket sales are final and non-refundable. The exact language from their purchase policy states:
“All sales are final. Ticketmaster does not offer refunds under any circumstances. Certain Tickets may be issued as printable PDF tickets, which cannot be replaced if lost, stolen or damaged. Tickets cannot be replaced if lost, stolen or damaged.”
When you complete a ticket purchase through Ticketmaster, you must affirmatively accept their Purchase Policy. This makes it clear that by continuing with the transaction, you understand the tickets are non-refundable and you will not be able to get your money back later if plans change.
Ticketmaster maintains this strict no refund policy because they are essentially just a middleman or distribution platform for ticket sales. The tickets are owned and issued by the specific venue or event organizer. Ticketmaster facilitates the transactions but does not set policies on returns or exchanges. That is up to the discretion of the venue, promoter, team, or event organizer selling the tickets.
Reasons for the No Refund Policy
There are a few key reasons why Ticketmaster upholds such a strict no refund policy in nearly all cases:
- Prevents fraud – A no refund policy deters fraudulent purchases made with stolen credit cards or accounts since purchases cannot be reversed for cash.
- Covers service fees – Part of Ticketmaster’s business model involves charging service fees on all ticket sales. No refunds ensure they do not lose this revenue.
- Discourages speculation – A no refund policy prevents ticket brokers or scalpers from buying up tickets for the sole purpose of reselling them at a higher price.
Exceptions to the No Refund Policy
While Ticketmaster’s standard policy is no refunds or returns, there are some limited exceptions where ticket purchases may be eligible for a refund:
- Event cancellation – If an event is outright canceled with no plans to reschedule, Ticketmaster will provide a full refund of the ticket’s face value amount. Service fees are non-refundable.
- Event postponement – If an event is rescheduled or postponed, the event organizer may choose to provide refunds or only offer credit toward a future event. Their policy will dictate if any refunds are issued.
- Extreme circumstances – In rare cases like severe weather, death in the family, injury, or illness that strictly prohibits attending, Ticketmaster may grant exceptions and issue a refund at their discretion.
Outside of the cases above, Ticketmaster does not offer refunds. Every ticket states clearly during purchase it is non-refundable, which they strictly enforce in nearly all situations.
Options if You Cannot Attend an Event
Because Ticketmaster does not allow returns or refunds if you simply cannot attend an event you purchased tickets for, you have two options:
Resell or Transfer Your Tickets
Ticketmaster allows you to resell or transfer tickets through their Ticketmaster Ticket Exchange platform. This is an online resale marketplace where you can list your tickets for sale to other fans.
If another fan purchases your tickets, you will be able to recoup some of the original cost. Ticketmaster charges a fee for all resold tickets, so you will likely not get back the full original price you paid.
Pros of reselling your tickets:
- Recover some of your costs
- Avoid tickets going to waste
- Simple process through Ticketmaster’s resale platform
Cons of reselling your tickets:
- No guarantee your tickets will sell
- Likely will lose money compared to original cost
- Must pay Ticketmaster’s resale service fees
Donate Your Tickets
If you do not need a refund and do not want to hassle with reselling tickets, you can donate them to charity. Organizations like TixForCause.org and Ticketstofreedom.org accept ticket donations and provide them to military members, veterans, underprivileged youth, and more.
Pros of donating tickets:
- Tax deduction for the ticket’s face value
- Avoid tickets going to waste
- Benefit charity group
Cons of donating tickets:
- No monetary compensation for your tickets
- Must pay service fees if deducting donation
- No control over who receives your tickets
Purchasing Refundable Tickets on Ticketmaster
While nearly all tickets sold through Ticketmaster are non-refundable, there are some limited “refundable ticket” options available.
Refundable tickets will clearly state they are refundable during the purchasing process. They will also likely come with a higher base ticket price to account for the refundable perk.
Refundable Ticket Features | Benefits | Downsides |
---|---|---|
Higher base price | Flexibility for refunds | More expensive upfront |
Clear “refundable” labeling | No confusion on policy | Limited ticket supply |
Refund timeline limits | Protects against abuse | Narrow refund windows |
If you purchase refundable tickets, be sure to note the specific refund policy and timeline outlines. You will likely need to request a refund within a short window like 48 hours prior to the event.
Should You Buy Refundable Tickets?
Here are some pros and cons to weigh when considering paying extra for refundable tickets on Ticketmaster:
Pros
- Provides refund flexibility if plans change
- Can get money back directly rather than reselling
- Peace of mind in case of unforeseen circumstances
Cons
- Refundable tickets have a higher base price
- Typically only partial refunds provided
- Narrow and restrictive refund windows
- Very limited supply of refundable tickets
For most fans, refundable tickets are not worth the extra cost and restrictions unless money is no concern. But for some peace of mind, they can be worth considering if available.
Contacting Ticketmaster for Refund Inquiries
If you need to check on refund eligibility or request an exception, you can contact Ticketmaster directly through the following methods:
Online Help Request Form
You can submit an online help request form detailing your refund request:
- Go to https://ticketmaster.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
- Select “Refunds” as the topic
- Provide event details and reason for refund request
- Allow 1 week for response
Phone Support
Call Ticketmaster’s customer service department at:
- 1-800-653-8000 (US & Canada)
- You may need to provide order details
- Wait times may be long depending on call volume
Twitter Support
Reach out to Ticketmaster’s Twitter support team:
- Tweet @Ticketmaster with your inquiry
- Provide relevant order details
- Direct message if needed
- May take 1-2 days for a response
When contacting Ticketmaster support, focus on extenuating circumstances outside your control like COVID illness, death in the family, mandatory quarantine, etc. Customer service cannot overrule the no refund policy but can elevate special cases to a supervisor if warranted.
Key Takeaways on Ticketmaster’s Return Policy
Almost All Tickets are Non-Refundable
Outside of complete event cancellations, virtually all tickets sold through Ticketmaster are non-refundable. The non-refundable policy is strictly enforced in most cases.
Reselling is the Best Option
If you cannot attend an event you purchased tickets for, your best recourse is try reselling them through Ticketmaster’s resale platform. This allows you to recoup some of the cost.
Refund Exceptions are Rare
Unless an event is canceled or you have documented extenuating circumstances, it is very rare to get an actual refund approved by Ticketmaster after completing a purchase.
Read Policies Carefully When Purchasing
Be sure to carefully review all purchase and refund policies displayed when you complete a ticket transaction. Ticketmaster displays the non-refundable policy prominently during checkout.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster strictly enforces a no refunds or returns policy in nearly all purchase cases. This is done to deter fraud, reselling, and speculation. If you can no longer attend an event, try reselling your tickets through Ticketmaster’s resale platform to recoup some money. Refund exceptions are only made in very rare cases of event cancellation, postponement, or documented extenuating personal circumstances. Be sure to read all policies carefully when purchasing tickets to avoid confusion. With limited refundable tickets available at a higher price, most fans will need to eat the cost of their tickets if plans change unexpectedly.