There are several common reasons why your credit card may be declined when trying to make a purchase on Ticketmaster. The good news is that there are usually simple solutions to get your ticket transaction approved.
Your credit card is expired
One of the most straightforward reasons your card won’t go through is that it has expired. Credit cards generally expire every 3-5 years. Ticketmaster requires an up-to-date card to process payments.
To fix this:
- Check the expiration date printed on your credit card and ensure it hasn’t passed.
- If your card has expired, contact your bank to request a new card.
- Update the expiration date in your Ticketmaster account with your new card details.
Your credit card details are entered incorrectly
It’s easy to accidentally type in the wrong credit card number, expiry date or security code – which can lead to a declined payment. Double check that all your card details are entered correctly on Ticketmaster before trying to process the transaction.
To fix this:
- Carefully re-enter your credit card number, being extra vigilant that each digit is correct.
- Double check the expiration date and security code are typed in accurately.
- If you still have trouble, manually enter your card details instead of auto-filling from your browser.
Your credit card account is frozen
Your bank may freeze your account if they detect suspicious charges or think your card details have been compromised. This safety measure blocks transactions until the freeze is lifted.
To fix this:
- Contact your bank and ask them to lift the freeze on your account.
- You may need to verify recent transactions or change your card number if it has been compromised.
Your credit limit has been reached
Most credit cards have a maximum credit limit. If you have spent up to your limit, further transactions will be declined.
To fix this:
- Pay down your balance to free up available credit.
- Contact your bank and ask for a credit limit increase.
- Use a different card that has available credit.
Your bank has flagged the transaction as suspicious
If the transaction looks abnormal based on your regular spending patterns, your bank may temporarily block the charge as a fraud prevention measure.
To fix this:
- Let your bank know you are attempting to make the Ticketmaster purchase.
- Make the purchase during standard business hours to avoid triggering suspicion.
- If possible, make the purchase from a device you regularly use for online transactions.
Your billing address does not match your credit card details
For security reasons, the billing address you enter on Ticketmaster must precisely match the address your bank has associated with your card. Any inconsistencies can lead to a failed payment.
To fix this:
- Ensure you are entering the correct billing address associated with your credit card.
- If you have moved recently, update your address details with your bank.
Your payment details are not verified by Visa Secure
Visa Secure is an authentication system that provides an extra layer of verification for purchases. If your payment details are not authenticated via Visa Secure, Ticketmaster may decline the transaction.
To fix this:
- Ensure you have enrolled your card with Visa Secure.
- Follow the Visa Secure prompts when completing your Ticketmaster purchase.
- If your card is unable to be verified, check with your bank to troubleshoot the issue.
There are insufficient funds in your account
Your ticket purchase will be declined if there is not enough available balance in your account to cover the cost. Even if your balance was sufficient earlier, concurrent transactions could lower your balance.
To fix this:
- Check your current account balance and ensure there are adequate funds.
- Transfer money into your account to cover the ticket cost.
- Use a different payment method, such as a debit card or PayPal, that has sufficient funds.
Your bank does not authorize online gambling transactions
Some banks restrict transactions connected to online gambling sites due to legal regulations. Since Ticketmaster sells tickets to events at venues like casinos, your purchase may accidentally trigger the gambling transaction block.
To fix this:
- Use a different credit card that does not block gambling transactions.
- Purchase tickets over the phone instead of online.
- Have the tickets held at Will Call to pick up in-person instead of getting them mailed.
You have a virtual credit card number that has expired
Some banks offer temporary or virtual card numbers that are linked to your actual account, but expire after a short time period. If you used one of these for your Ticketmaster account, it may have expired.
To fix this:
- Log in to your bank account and generate a new virtual card number.
- Update the card details in your Ticketmaster account.
You made multiple purchases in a short timeframe
Making several purchases on Ticketmaster in quick succession can trigger your bank to freeze your card due to suspected fraudulent activity.
To fix this:
- Verify the purchases with your bank and ask them to unfreeze your account.
- Complete the suspicious transactions one at a time with a delay in between.
The purchase requires additional verification
For large dollar amount transactions, Ticketmaster may require additional verification steps to confirm your identity as an anti-fraud measure.
To fix this:
- If prompted, complete additional verification steps on Ticketmaster’s website or app.
- You may need to enter a confirmation code sent to your email or receive a call to verify your purchase.
You have exceeded the cash advance limit on your card
Most credit cards have a separate, lower limit on cash advances. In some cases, Ticketmaster transactions can count as cash advances and exceed your cash advance limit.
To fix this:
- Check whether your Ticketmaster purchase is being processed as a cash advance.
- Contact your bank and ask them to raise your cash advance limit if needed.
- Pay down your outstanding cash advance balance to clear up available credit.
You have purchased tickets that exceed Ticketmaster’s allowed limit
To prevent scalping and bulk purchases, Ticketmaster enforces purchasing limits on popular events. If you exceed the permitted number of tickets, your order may be cancelled.
To fix this:
- Review Ticketmaster’s ticket limits for the event you are purchasing.
- Split your order into separate transactions that do not exceed the allowed quantity.
- Enlist friends and family to purchase groups of tickets separately.
Your anti-virus software is blocking the transaction
In some cases, aggressive anti-virus programs may block online transactions that appear risky. Ticketmaster purchases could inadvertently get flagged, stopping your payment.
To fix this:
- Add Ticketmaster as a trusted website within your anti-virus settings.
- Temporarily disable your anti-virus to allow the transaction to go through.
- Try making the purchase from a different device that doesn’t have the interfering software.
There was a temporary technical error with Ticketmaster
Like any website, Ticketmaster may experience occasional technical glitches that disrupt transactions. This can prevent credit card payments from processing properly.
To fix this:
- Try completing your purchase again in a few minutes.
- Check Ticketmaster’s social media channels for any notifications about technical issues.
- Use a different payment method like PayPal as a workaround.
You have a fraud block or restriction on your account
If your bank has placed a blanket fraud block or transaction restriction on your account due to suspicious activity, your Ticketmaster transaction is likely to be declined.
To fix this:
- Contact your bank to remove any fraud prevention blocks or restrictions.
- Provide additional identity verification to confirm your legitimacy if requested.
- Use an alternate card or payment method that is not restricted.
Your IP address is sending up red flags
In some cases, Ticketmaster may blacklist certain IP addresses associated with high fraud rates. If your current IP address has been flagged, transactions may not process.
To fix this:
- Try making the purchase from a different network to change your IP address.
- Contact Ticketmaster customer service if you believe your IP has been incorrectly blacklisted.
- If using a VPN, switch locations to receive a new IP.
You are using an international card on a U.S. Ticketmaster website
If you have an international credit card issued outside the U.S., it may be declined on the U.S. version of Ticketmaster.com. The opposite is also true.
To fix this:
- Use the Ticketmaster website for your country, matching it to your card’s origin.
- Contact your bank to ensure your card allows international online transactions.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a wide variety of reasons both on your end and Ticketmaster’s end that could explain why your credit card was declined on their website. By reviewing each potential issue and methodically troubleshooting them, you should be able to successfully complete your ticket transaction.
Start by checking for straightforward problems like an expired card or incorrect billing address, and move on to more complex issues like account freezes and anti-fraud blocks if needed. Contact Ticketmaster customer service for transaction assistance if you remain stuck. Being proactive will typically resolve the problem quickly so you can securely purchase your event tickets.
Related Questions
Why is my debit card declined on Ticketmaster?
A debit card may be declined on Ticketmaster for many of the same reasons as a credit card, including:
- Your card is expired or card details entered incorrectly
- You have insufficient funds in your account
- Your bank has frozen your account due to suspicious activity
- Your billing address does not match the one associated with your bank account
- There are ticket purchasing limits in place for the event
- Your bank is restricting online gambling-related transactions
Check with your bank to resolve any account issues, frozen funds or blocks. Enter your correct card details and ensure sufficient account balance. Consider using a credit card instead if your debit card problems persist.
Why won’t my PayPal payment go through on Ticketmaster?
PayPal payments may fail on Ticketmaster if:
- You have insufficient funds in your PayPal account
- Your PayPal account is restricted or locked
- The email and password you entered are incorrect
- You need to re-enter your CVV security code
- Your PayPal account is not verified
- There is a technical error or issue connecting PayPal to Ticketmaster
Check your PayPal balance, account standing and login details. Contact PayPal support if your account seems in good standing. Trying again later or on a different device may resolve temporary technical issues.
Why can’t I use multiple credit cards on one Ticketmaster transaction?
Ticketmaster allows you to store multiple credit cards in your account wallet. However, you can only use one card per ticket purchase transaction. This policy is enforced as an anti-fraud measure.
If you want to use multiple cards for a single large ticket purchase, you will need to split the tickets across separate transactions and check out multiple times. There is no option for combining cards in one Ticketmaster checkout.
Can I dispute a credit card charge from Ticketmaster?
If you believe there has been an erroneous or fraudulent charge on your card from Ticketmaster, you can certainly dispute it with your bank. Common reasons for Ticketmaster charge disputes include:
- Being double charged for the same purchase
- Being charged for tickets you never received
- Being incorrectly charged for a cancelled purchase or refund
- Fraudulent activity on your account
Contact your bank’s card issuer and follow their dispute process. Provide relevant details about the charge, clarifying why you believe it is inaccurate. Your bank will investigate and potentially issue a chargeback to Ticketmaster if your dispute is approved.
Key Takeaways
- Check whether your credit card is expired, your account is frozen, or your billing details are entered incorrectly.
- Contact your bank to troubleshoot any account restrictions or blocks.
- Ensure you have sufficient funds and have not exceeded any purchasing limits.
- Try using a different card or payment method if your card continues to be declined.
- Work with Ticketmaster customer service if you believe the issue is on their end.