When a refund is issued for a Ticketmaster order, the refund goes back to the original method of payment used to purchase the tickets. If the tickets were bought online using a credit card, the refund will be credited back to that same credit card. If they were purchased with a gift card or voucher, the refund will go back onto that gift card or voucher. And for tickets bought in-person at a box office, refunds are typically issued back as cash.
How are Ticketmaster refunds processed?
Ticketmaster refunds go through an automated processing system. When a refund is requested, either by the customer or initiated by Ticketmaster in the case of a canceled or rescheduled event, a refund request is entered into the Ticketmaster system. This triggers the refund to be issued back to the original method of payment automatically.
For credit card purchases, Ticketmaster will credit the refund amount back to the same credit card used to pay for the tickets. This is done electronically through direct communication between Ticketmaster and the credit card payment processors. The refund appears as a credit on the next credit card billing statement, typically within 1-2 billing cycles.
For gift cards and vouchers, Ticketmaster will credit the refund value back onto the original gift card or voucher used for purchase. The updated value is viewable in the recipient’s Ticketmaster account. If the gift card or voucher was purchased through a separate retailer like Safeway or Kroger, Ticketmaster will notify the retailer of the refund to be credited.
For cash purchases made at a box office, Ticketmaster will mail a refund check to the billing address on file for the order. Refund checks are usually received within 4-6 weeks after the refund request is processed.
How long do Ticketmaster refunds take?
Ticketmaster refunds typically take 7-10 business days to process once approved. However, refund timing can vary depending on:
- Original method of payment – Credit card and gift card refunds are usually fastest, while mailed checks take longest.
- Reason for refund – Voluntary refunds may process quicker than mandatory refunds for a canceled event.
- Account history – First-time refunds generally take longer to verify and process.
Here is a breakdown of typical Ticketmaster refund timing by payment method:
Payment Method | Refund Processing Time |
---|---|
Credit card online purchase | 5-7 business days |
Gift card or voucher | 5-7 business days |
Cash at box office | 4-6 weeks by mailed check |
Note that processing times are from when the refund is approved and entered into the Ticketmaster system, not the date of the initial refund request. It can take up to 1 week for refund requests to be reviewed and approved, especially for high volume events.
Why are some Ticketmaster refunds delayed?
While Ticketmaster aims to process all refunds within 2 weeks, some refunds take longer to complete due to:
- High volume of refunds to process after a popular event is canceled or rescheduled
- Anti-fraud account reviews for suspicious activity that may delay refund approval
- Incorrect or outdated payment information provided by the customer
- Errors or glitches with the automated refund processing system
For credit card purchases, banks can sometimes delay when the refund posts to an account. Even after Ticketmaster processes the refund, it is up to the bank when to credit it back to the customer.
If your Ticketmaster refund is delayed more than 4 weeks past the expected timing, it is recommended to contact Ticketmaster Customer Support for assistance. There may be an error or missing information preventing your refund from going through.
Can Ticketmaster refunds go to a different payment method?
Ticketmaster can only send refunds back to the original method of payment used to purchase the tickets. This is because the payment processors require the money to be credited back to where it came from.
If you need your Ticketmaster refund to go to a new credit card, bank account, or address, you will have to wait to receive the original refund payment and then transfer the money yourself.
For example, if you bought tickets with a credit card that is now expired or canceled, Ticketmaster will issue a refund check by mail instead of crediting the old card. You can then cash the check and deposit it into your new account.
What fees are refunded by Ticketmaster?
If a Ticketmaster order is fully refunded because the event was canceled or tickets are returned, the base ticket price plus any Ticketmaster fees are refunded. This includes:
- Ticket price – Full amount paid is refunded
- Ticketmaster service fees – Fully refunded
- Order processing fees – Fully refunded
- Delivery fees (if applicable) – Fully refunded
Non-Ticketmaster fees including handling fees from the venue or promoter are also refunded. However, some fees like donations to charity are non-refundable.
For partial refunds due to exchanging some tickets or scaling down an order, only the dollar amount of the tickets returned is refunded. The Ticketmaster fees for the order are not reduced.
Are Ticketmaster refunds tax deductible?
No, Ticketmaster refunds are not eligible tax deductions because you are simply getting your own money back – not making a deductible payment. Refunds also represent a reversal of revenue, not an expense.
That said, if you claimed the original ticket purchase as a deductible business expense before receiving the refund, you may need to amend your taxes to remove the deduction. Check with a tax advisor if this applies to your situation.
How are refunds handled for group Ticketmaster orders?
For group orders where one person bought tickets for multiple people, Ticketmaster will issue the refund back to the original credit card or payment account used by the purchaser. It is up to the ticket buyer to then redistribute the refund amount to the group members as appropriate.
Each ticket holder will not receive a separate Ticketmaster refund. The total dollar amount will go back onto the card used to pay for the original group order.
Can Ticketmaster refunds be tracked?
Yes, Ticketmaster refunds can be tracked in your online account. To check the status of a refund:
- Log into your Ticketmaster account online or via the mobile app
- Go to your Orders History and locate the order
- Under Order Details, check the status which will show “Refund Pending” or “Refunded” when complete
- The refund amount and date processed is also shown
You can also contact Ticketmaster Customer Service to ask about the status of a refund. You will need to provide the order number and billing details.
How are exchanges and vouchers handled for canceled events?
If a show is canceled by Ticketmaster and refunds issued, there are alternatives to getting your money back. Ticketmaster may offer:
- Event Vouchers – These credits can be applied to future Ticketmaster events. Vouchers are usually valid for 12-24 months.
- Exchanges – Tickets can be exchanged for another show through Ticketmaster to retain the ticket value.
These options allow fans to keep the money within the Ticketmaster system as a credit for a future event, rather than withdrawing it as a refund.
Can Ticketmaster refunds be refused?
In most cases, Ticketmaster is obligated to issue refunds if an event is canceled or rescheduled. However, refunds can legally be refused if:
- The ticket holder missed the 30-90 day window to request a refund after a cancellation announcement
- The tickets were marked as non-refundable at time of purchase
- The ticket holder is trying to resell their tickets, which violates Ticketmaster policy
Refunds for changed personal plans that do not qualify under Ticketmaster’s Fan Guarantee Refund Policy can also be refused.
If you believe your Ticketmaster refund was unfairly denied, you can escalate the issue to Ticketmaster Customer Service or your credit card company.
Conclusion
In summary, Ticketmaster refunds get returned to the original payment method used to purchase event tickets. Refunds back to credit cards and gift cards are processed electronically within 1-2 weeks in most cases. Refund checks by mail take 4-6 weeks. Refund timing can be delayed due to fraud reviews, expired payment accounts, and technical errors. The base ticket price plus Ticketmaster fees are refunded in full for canceled or returned tickets. Customers can keep tabs on refund status in their Ticketmaster account order history. With an automated refund system handling millions of tickets, delays are inevitable. But reaching out to Customer Service can help get resolution on pending Ticketmaster refunds.