When you see the option to “claim” tickets on Ticketmaster, it means you are placing a hold on those tickets without purchasing them right away. This gives you time to complete the checkout process before the tickets are released back into the general inventory.
How does the Ticketmaster claim process work?
Here is a quick rundown of how the claim process works on Ticketmaster:
- When you find tickets you want, you click the “Claim” button instead of “Buy.” This places a hold on those specific tickets.
- You will have anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes to complete the checkout process and purchase the tickets. The exact time limit will be shown.
- During this time, the tickets will not be available for anyone else to purchase.
- If you do not complete the checkout within the time limit, the hold will expire and the tickets will be released back for others to purchase.
- If inventory is low, Ticketmaster may use the claim process to give more people a chance at getting tickets. This prevents tickets from selling out before some shoppers can checkout.
So in summary, the claim process gives you a short window of exclusive access to specific tickets before you have to complete the transaction. This can give you peace of mind that the tickets won’t sell out before you finish checkout.
Why does Ticketmaster use the claim process?
Ticketmaster utilizes the claim system for a few key reasons:
- It prevents tickets from being tied up in abandoned carts. Releasing claimed tickets after a time limit ensures they go back for others to purchase.
- It reduces instances of ticket brokers using bots to quickly buy up tickets. The claim system adds steps to slow down mass purchases.
- It gives fair access to more individual fans. More people can get the chance to claim and checkout tickets.
- It allows shoppers time to resolve issues. You can work to fix payment problems before the tickets are forfeited.
Overall, the claim system aims to make the ticket buying process more equitable and less prone to abuse from ticket brokers and scalpers.
When will Ticketmaster use the claim process?
You will typically see the claim option under these circumstances:
- High demand events – Major concerts, sports playoffs, festivals, etc. Any event with intense interest and limited tickets available.
- Immediate sellouts expected – Newly released tickets that will likely sell out instantly.
- Low overall ticket inventory – Smaller venues or events with fewer total tickets for sale.
The claim helps restrict how quickly tickets get purchased in these high demand situations. It prevents all the tickets from being bought up in seconds.
How long is the claim period?
The exact time limit for completing your purchase will vary. Here are some typical claim periods you may see:
Claim Period | Time Limit |
---|---|
Short hold | 3 to 5 minutes |
Average hold | 5 to 8 minutes |
Extended hold | 8 to 10 minutes |
The more exclusive or in-demand the event, the shorter the claim period is likely to be. The time is shown clearly when you claim tickets, so you know how long you have.
What happens if time runs out on a claim?
If you do not complete the checkout process and finalize the purchase within the time limit, here is what happens:
- The hold on tickets will automatically expire.
- The tickets will be released back into general inventory.
- Other customers will be able to view and purchase the tickets again.
- You will have to start the selection and claim process over.
So make sure you are prepared to complete your transaction quickly. Have your payment details and Ticketmaster account login ready to go before you claim.
Tips for successfully claiming tickets
Here are some tips to help you securely claim and checkout tickets within the time limit:
- Sign in ahead – Make sure you are already signed into your Ticketmaster account before joining a queue or making a claim.
- Use autofill – Enable autofill on your browser for faster checkout with payment and contact info.
- Provide backup payment – Have a secondary payment method handy in case your first card is declined.
- Know the venue – Familiarize yourself with the seating chart ahead of time to pick seats faster.
- Prioritize selections – Add your top ticket choices to your cart first in case you run out of time.
- Watch the clock – Keep an eye on how much claim time remains as you finalize your purchase.
Can you extend or pause the claim time?
Unfortunately there is no way to extend or pause the claim countdown clock once it has started. Ticketmaster’s automated systems control the time limit. Here are your options if you need more time:
- Abandon and restart – Let the claim expire, then try to claim the tickets again in a new session.
- Use another device – Make the purchase simultaneously on a different device like a smartphone if availble.
- Do a partial purchase – quickly purchase a portion of the tickets you claimed to secure some seats.
The best option is to just practice completing purchases within the allotted time. Don’t start the claim process until you are fully ready to buy.
Can you claim tickets multiple times?
In most cases, you are only allowed to have one active ticket claim at a time. If you want to claim a different set of tickets, you usually have to let the first claim expire first. However, there are a couple exceptions:
- For very high demand shows, Ticketmaster may limit claims to once per customer.
- If you are using multiple browser windows or devices, you may be able to have multiple concurrent claims.
You will receive an error if trying to submit an additional claim when one is still active under the same account. The best practice is to finish one transaction before placing another claim.
Should you claim tickets or not?
Here are some pros and cons to weigh when deciding whether or not to use the claim process:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
– Locks in tickets specifically selected | – Adds time pressure to checkout |
– Prevents other purchases during claim window | – No chance to pause/extend time limit |
– More likely to get tickets | – Have to start over if time expires |
– Bypasses queues and scarcity tactics | – May restrict claiming more tickets later |
In most high demand situations, claiming tickets is recommended as it greatly reduces the chance the tickets sell out during the checkout process. But you do need to be ready to complete the transaction quickly.
Conclusion
The option to claim tickets gives Ticketmaster users an advantage in competitive ticket sales. It reserves tickets for a short time so fans can finalize purchases instead of losing out to scalpers and broker bots. Just be prepared to move swiftly through checkout within the limited claim period. Follow good practices like signing in early, having payment ready, and prioritizing ticket selections. With some experience, claiming tickets can greatly improve your chances of getting seats at hot events.