Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies in the world. They sell tickets for a wide variety of events including concerts, sports, theater shows and more. One feature they offer is the ability for ticket buyers to transfer tickets to someone else if they can no longer attend the event.
What is a Ticketmaster transfer?
A Ticketmaster transfer allows the original ticket buyer to electronically transfer the ticket to someone else. This enables the tickets to change ownership from the original buyer to a new buyer. Some key things to know about Ticketmaster transfers:
- Transfers are only available for certain events – not all events/tickets allow transfers.
- There is usually a deadline by which the transfer must be completed, typically 72 hours before the event.
- Only mobile tickets can be transferred, not hard stock tickets.
- The venue and event organizer must approve of ticket transfers being allowed.
- There are limits on how many times a single ticket can be transferred, usually once or twice.
- A transfer fee may apply to complete the ticket transfer.
Overall, Ticketmaster transfers provide a secure method for ticket buyers to electronically transfer tickets to a new attendee if needed.
Are Ticketmaster transfers final?
The short answer is yes, Ticketmaster transfers are designed to be final and permanent. Once a ticket has been transferred to a new recipient, the original ticket buyer no longer has ownership or access to the ticket. There are very limited circumstances in which a transferred ticket can be undone. Let’s look at some key reasons why Ticketmaster transfers are considered final:
1. Legal transfer of ownership occurs
When a Ticketmaster transfer is completed, the ticket legally changes ownership from the original buyer to the new recipient. The new recipient takes over all rights and access to the ticket. The original buyer is removed and cannot regain access without consent from the new buyer.
2. No refunds are issued after transfer
If the original ticket buyer completes a transfer, they forfeit the ability to obtain a refund on the ticket. The ticket value has been transferred over to a new owner. Ticketmaster will not issue any refunds on transferred tickets.
3. New buyer has sole ownership
The new ticket buyer takes over full ownership rights, including the ability to transfer it one more time in most cases. The new buyer must approve any reversions or additional transfers. Ticketmaster will not make changes without the new buyer’s consent.
4. Very limited exceptions
There are very few cases where Ticketmaster would allow a transferred ticket to be undone. These include:
- Evidence of fraudulent or unauthorized transfer
- Technical errors in the transfer process
- Event cancellation and refunds issued
Outside of these limited situations, Ticketmaster considers all transfers to be permanent and final transactions.
What happens when you transfer a ticket on Ticketmaster?
Here is an overview of the process when transferring a ticket on Ticketmaster and why it is considered final:
- Original ticket buyer initiates transfer process in Ticketmaster account.
- Buyer enters recipient’s name, email and transaction details.
- Ticketmaster emails transfer details to recipient.
- Recipient accepts transfer and verifies identity.
- Ticketmaster removes original buyer’s access and ownership.
- Ticket transfers exclusively to new recipient’s account.
- Original buyer no longer has rights or access to ticket.
Once the recipient accepts the transfer, Ticketmaster considers it a closed transaction and will not make any changes or reversals without the recipient’s approval.
What if the new ticket holder can’t attend the event?
If the person who received the transferred Ticketmaster ticket can no longer attend the event, they have a couple options:
Re-transfer the ticket
In most cases, the new ticket holder can complete another transfer to someone else. There is usually a limit of 1-2 total transfers allowed per ticket. The new holder would just complete the same transfer process to send the ticket to someone new.
Sell the ticket on a resale site
The other option is to sell the ticket on an authorized ticket resale platform. Popular resale sites like StubHub allow sellers to post tickets for sale and transfer them electronically to buyers via Ticketmaster. The new ticket holder sells at their own price.
Is there any way to reverse a Ticketmaster transfer?
As discussed earlier, there are very few cases where a Ticketmaster transfer can be reversed. Here are the possibilities:
Unauthorized transfer
If the original buyer claims the transfer was fraudulent or unauthorized, Ticketmaster will investigate. If confirmed, they will work on reversing the transfer and restoring access to the original buyer.
Technical issues
In rare cases where there were technical problems or errors with the transfer process itself, Ticketmaster can void the transfer and reassign it to the original buyer.
Event cancelled
If the event is cancelled and refunds are issued, Ticketmaster will void any transfers for that event. The original buyer would receive the refund.
Outside of these exceptional cases, there is no way to undo or reverse a completed transfer. The new recipient has full control and final ownership of the ticket.
Tips to avoid issues with Ticketmaster transfers
To avoid running into problems with Ticketmaster ticket transfers, here are some tips:
- Double check all recipient details before transferring.
- Only transfer to someone you know and trust.
- Understand the transfer limits and deadlines.
- Make sure the recipient knows they are receiving the tickets.
- Confirm the transfer is successful and your access is removed.
Taking precautions is important when transferring tickets to ensure there are no issues down the line. Since transfers are difficult to reverse, it is essential to complete them properly from the start.
Conclusion
In summary, Ticketmaster transfers are designed to be permanent and final transactions. Once a ticket is transferred, the original buyer no longer has ownership or access in most cases. The new recipient has full control over the tickets unless in exceptional circumstances approved by Ticketmaster. So while not completely irreversible, Ticketmaster transfers are considered binding exchanges. Take care and precautions when transferring tickets to avoid any unintended issues down the line.