There has been some confusion lately about whether Ticketmaster only accepts credit cards for ticket purchases. The short answer is no, Ticketmaster does not require a credit card to buy tickets. However, there are some important details to understand about Ticketmaster’s payment options.
What payment methods does Ticketmaster accept?
Ticketmaster accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal for ticket purchases on their website and mobile apps. Specifically, they accept:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Discover
- PayPal
- Debit cards with a major card logo (Visa, Mastercard, etc.)
Cash payments are not accepted directly by Ticketmaster, however some retail outlets that sell Ticketmaster tickets may accept cash. Gift cards also cannot be used on Ticketmaster.
So in summary, credit cards are the most commonly used payment method, but are not an absolute requirement. Debit cards and PayPal can also be used.
Why do some people think Ticketmaster is credit card only?
There are a couple reasons why some customers may have the impression that Ticketmaster requires a credit card:
- Tickets purchased online require a credit/debit card or PayPal. Cash and gift cards cannot be used on Ticketmaster’s website or app.
- For highly coveted tickets that sell out fast, having your credit card information pre-saved makes the checkout process faster. This gives an advantage over entering payment details manually.
- Ticketmaster emphasizes credit cards in their marketing and reminders about upcoming sales. This creates an association between Ticketmaster and credit card payments.
- Customer service agents will often recommend having a credit card ready for hot ticket sales.
So in high demand situations where speed is essential, having a credit card on file provides a better experience. This has led some customers to believe it is the only option, even though debit cards and PayPal can also be used.
Does Ticketmaster charge extra fees for credit card purchases?
Yes, Ticketmaster does charge supplementary fees for credit and debit card purchases:
- A processing fee is added to each ticket order. This is currently around $5 per ticket.
- There may also be a delivery fee depending on the shipping method selected.
- Some events include credit card surcharges imposed by the event organizer, not Ticketmaster.
So customers should be aware that buying tickets with a credit or debit card involves some additional fees compared to cash purchases. However, those fees apply to debit cards as well. Ticketmaster does not add any extra charges for credit card purchases specifically.
Is a Ticketmaster credit card worth it?
Ticketmaster has partnerships with some major banks and card issuers to offer co-branded credit cards. These include options like:
- Chase Ticketmaster credit card
- Citi Ticketmaster credit card
- Barclaycard Ticketmaster credit card
These cards offer benefits like special access to ticket presales, discounts on purchases, and bonus reward points for Ticketmaster transactions.
So for frequent Ticketmaster users, having their co-branded credit card can provide some nice perks and savings on tickets and fees. However, it is not required by any means to purchase tickets on Ticketmaster. Any standard credit card, debit card, or PayPal account will work.
The Ticketmaster credit card is mainly beneficial if you will be using it extensively for ticketing purposes. For occasional Ticketmaster customers, it may not be worth getting an extra card just for those benefits.
Tips for saving money on Ticketmaster fees
Here are some tips to minimize fees when buying tickets on Ticketmaster:
- Use a debit card or PayPal instead of credit card to avoid credit card surcharges.
- Pay with a Ticketmaster gift card if you received one as a gift.
- Avoid delivery fees by using mobile entry or printing tickets at home.
- Checkout as a guest instead of creating an account to skip account fees.
- Look for presales and fan club sales to get tickets before service fees are added.
Following those guidelines can help reduce the processing and handling fees that get tacked onto Ticketmaster orders. Every little bit of savings counts!
Conclusion
In summary, while credit cards are commonly used for Ticketmaster ticket purchases, they are not actually required. Customers can pay with debit cards or PayPal as well. However, having a credit card on file does provide a faster and smoother purchasing experience.
Ticketmaster does charge service fees on top of ticket prices, but those apply equally to credit, debit, and PayPal checkouts. The fees are not specific to credit card use. So while customers can use a debit card or PayPal to avoid credit surcharges, the base Ticketmaster fees will still apply.
Overall, credit cards provide an optimal way to checkout quickly for high demand tickets. But Ticketmaster still offers flexibility to use other payment methods if preferred. Understanding the nuances around fees and payment options can help customers make informed decisions when purchasing tickets.