A refund account on Ticketmaster allows customers to store credit from canceled or refunded event tickets. This credit can then be used towards future ticket purchases on Ticketmaster.
How refund accounts work
When you purchase tickets on Ticketmaster and an event is canceled or you return tickets for a refund, the money you originally paid does not automatically go back to your original payment method. Instead, Ticketmaster issues you a credit that gets deposited into your Ticketmaster account.
This credit sits in your account balance, also called your “refund account,” until you use it to buy new tickets. The credit never expires, so you can hold onto it indefinitely and use it anytime for future Ticketmaster purchases.
Refund account vs. original payment method
There are a few reasons Ticketmaster issues refunds as account credits rather than back to your original payment method:
- Processing refunds back to credit cards or bank accounts can take several business days, whereas credits appear in your Ticketmaster account instantly.
- It allows Ticketmaster to retain the funds longer and earn interest.
- It encourages customers to reuse the credit to buy more tickets through Ticketmaster rather than withdrawing the money.
Viewing your Ticketmaster refund account balance
You can view your refund account balance anytime by logging into your Ticketmaster account online or in the mobile app and going to your Account Overview page. It will show the total credit available in your account.
The Account Overview also lists any individual refunds or credits deposited into your account over the last 90 days. This allows you to see details like the original order number, event name, date the credit was issued, and exact credit amount.
Partial vs. full refunds
If an entire Ticketmaster order is refunded, the full price paid will be credited back to your account in one lump sum. However, if you only cancel or return a portion of an order, just the dollar amount for those specific tickets will be credited.
For example, if you bought 4 tickets for $50 each ($200 total) and returned 2 of the tickets, you would see a $100 credit in your account rather than the full $200.
Using a Ticketmaster refund account
When you have a refund account balance, the credit will automatically apply towards new Ticketmaster purchases anytime you checkout.
The credit is used starting with the oldest first. So if you have $100 in your account from two separate $50 credits, one issued 3 months ago and one issued 1 month ago, the older $50 will be used up first.
You can also choose to apply only a portion of your available balance towards a purchase. For example, if you have $300 in credit but your ticket order totals $450, you could use just $200 of your credit and pay the remaining $250 with a new payment method.
Credits can be combined
If you’ve accumulated multiple individual credits in your account over time, they are pooled into one total balance. When you go to checkout, Ticketmaster will automatically apply as much of that accumulated credit as possible towards your new purchase.
You don’t have to worry about only using a specific credit or losing one – they are all combined and valid indefinitely.
Using credits across multiple orders
If purchasing tickets for a group or making multiple ticket orders around the same time, your refund account balance can be split across the orders.
When checking out for each order, specify how much of your available credit you want applied. As long as you don’t apply more than your total balance, you can divide it up however you like.
Credits only valid at Ticketmaster
Refund account credits can only be used to purchase tickets on Ticketmaster’s website, mobile apps, or by calling their support line. The credit cannot be transferred to a different person or used on any other ecommerce site.
If you want the cash value instead, you would need to contact Ticketmaster support and request for the balance to be refunded back to your original payment method.
Ticketmaster refund policies
Ticketmaster has different refund and cancellation policies depending on the type of tickets purchased. This determines how and when a credit may be issued to your account.
Refunds on standard tickets
Most standard event tickets purchased through Ticketmaster can be refunded and resold up until 48 hours before showtime. The refund gets issued as an account credit immediately after the tickets are canceled.
Refunds on platinum tickets
Platinum tickets purchased through Ticketmaster’s marketplace from resellers cannot be canceled or refunded. The credit and refund policy depends on the seller.
Refunds on postponed or rescheduled events
If an event is postponed or rescheduled, Ticketmaster will allow you to request a refund and get your money back as an account credit. You can also opt to keep your original tickets for the new event date.
Refunds on canceled events
If an event is outright canceled with no new date planned, Ticketmaster will automatically refund all purchases within 30 days of the cancellation announcement. A credit will be deposited into your account.
In some cases of high-demand shows, it may take longer than 30 days to process all refunds.
Other Ticketmaster account features
In addition to housing your refund credits, a Ticketmaster account provides other useful features including:
- Saved payment methods – Store credit cards or PayPal to check out faster
- Saved addresses – Fill in your shipping and billing details with one click
- Upcoming event tracking – See all your purchased events in one place
- Purchase history – Look up order details and ticket barcodes
- Price alerts – Get notified if ticket prices drop
Registering for a free Ticketmaster account is recommended for all frequent ticketholders to access these time-saving benefits.
Checking Ticketmaster refund status
If you request a refund but don’t see the credit in your Ticketmaster account after several days, there are ways to check on the status:
- Look for an email confirmation from Ticketmaster stating your refund was processed.
- Check your purchase history – this will show when an order status changed to refunded.
- Contact Ticketmaster customer service via live chat or phone.
Processing refunds takes time, especially after major event cancellations. If you verified the refund was issued but still don’t see your credit after 2 weeks, reach out to their support team.
Alternatives to Ticketmaster refund accounts
If you prefer not to have credits locked into your Ticketmaster account, there are a couple options when cancelling tickets:
Refund to original payment method
You can contact Ticketmaster and specifically request your refund gets processed back to the original credit card, bank account, PayPal, etc. you first paid with instead of an account credit.
Keep in mind it takes 7-10 business days to refund to an external payment method instead of instant account credit.
Sell on a resale site
Rather than cancelling through Ticketmaster and getting an account credit, you may have better luck reselling your tickets yourself on sites like StubHub, VividSeats, or Craigslist.
That way you recoup cash from another buyer rather than a restrictive Ticketmaster credit.
Pros of Ticketmaster refund accounts
There are advantages to getting your money back as a Ticketmaster account credit:
- Instant refund processing – Credit appears immediately vs. waiting days for external refunds
- Easier tracking – All credits and account activity visible in one place
- Indefinite expiration – Account balance never expires
- More flexible – Credit can be split across multiple ticket orders
Cons of Ticketmaster refund accounts
The downsides of Ticketmaster refund credits include:
- Restrictive funds – Cannot transfer credits or withdraw as cash
- Forced spending – Have to make future Ticketmaster purchases
- Complex policies – Refund eligibility depends on ticket type
Frequently asked questions
How long do refund credits last?
There is no expiration date on Ticketmaster account credits. They remain valid to use indefinitely for any future ticket purchases.
Can I transfer my Ticketmaster refund credit?
Unfortunately, credits cannot be transferred to another Ticketmaster user. They are tied to the specific account that originally purchased the tickets.
How do I get cash back from Ticketmaster instead of account credit?
You would need to contact their customer support and explicitly request that your refund gets processed back to the original payment method used instead of as an account credit.
Can I use Ticketmaster account credit for anything besides tickets?
No, Ticketmaster credits can only be applied at checkout when purchasing new event tickets. They cannot be used for Ticketmaster services fees, merchandise, or other non-ticket purchases.
What if my event refund never showed up in my account?
If it has been over 2 weeks since a refund was issued but the credit is still missing, get in touch with Ticketmaster support. They can investigate why it did not properly get deposited into your account.