Whether or not tickets purchased through Ticketmaster are refundable depends on several factors. Ticketmaster’s refund policy varies based on the event, the ticket type, and the timing of the refund request. In most cases, refunds are available but may be subject to certain fees and restrictions.
Ticketmaster Refund Policy Overview
In general, Ticketmaster aims to provide ticket buyers flexibility in obtaining refunds when warranted. However, the specifics of Ticketmaster’s refund policy depend on the following factors:
- The event itself – Some events have their own refund policies that override Ticketmaster’s general policy. This includes restrictions on transfers, exchanges, and refund eligibility.
- The ticket type – Some specialty tickets such as travel packages, fan experiences, or Platinum tickets have different refund rules.
- Timing of the refund request – Requests made far in advance have more flexibility than last-minute requests.
Additionally, while Ticketmaster facilitates the refund process, the final determination is made by the event organizer (team, band, theater, etc). As such, fans must review the event’s specific refund rules before purchasing tickets.
Standard Ticket Refund Policy
For standard tickets to events without special rules, Ticketmaster’s general refund terms are:
- Refund requests must be made before the event.
- A refund processing fee is deducted per ticket.
- Tickets are refunded to the original payment method.
- Refunds only apply to the ticket face value – all fees are non-refundable.
Typically, the closer the refund request is made to the event date, the higher the processing fee. Ticketmaster states this is to cover labor costs for last-minute changes. Processing fees can range from $5-30 per ticket depending on timing.
No Refunds Policy
Many major concerts, theaters, and sports teams now enforce a strict “no refunds” policy. This means once a ticket is purchased, no refunds or exchanges can be made under any circumstances. Ticketmaster will display a “no refunds” icon during checkout to denote when this applies.
Common reasons events enforce no refunds include:
- High demand – Refunding tickets would prevent them from reselling.
- Logistics – Rescheduling complex events like tours is difficult.
- Deter scalpers – A no refund policy discourages speculative purchases.
When events have a no refund policy, the tickets are still transferrable on Ticketmaster up until showtime. This allows fans to recoup some costs by reselling.
Exceptions for Canceled or Postponed Events
The main exception to standard Ticketmaster refund policy is when an event is outright canceled or postponed. In these cases, refunds including fees are generally provided automatically. However, fans can also request a refund if preferred.
For postponed events, Ticketmaster will notify fans if previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new date. If fans cannot attend the new date, full refunds are available within 30 days of the postponement notice.
Can Refunds Be Partial?
In most cases, Ticketmaster refunds must be done on a per-ticket basis – fans cannot request a partial refund on a single ticket. The entirety of the base price will be refunded, excluding fees.
However, for very expensive Platinum, VIP or package tickets, exceptions may be made. Fans can inquire with Ticketmaster Fan Support to see if a partial refund can be processed. This is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
How the Refund is Processed
Once a refund request is approved, here is how Ticketmaster processes and delivers the refund:
- The base ticket price is refunded to the original payment method. This may take 7-10 business days to post.
- An itemized refund receipt is sent via email that details fees withheld and any processing fees.
- The ticket barcode is invalidated so it cannot be used for entry.
- For online transfers, the ticket is removed from the recipient’s Ticketmaster account.
It is important fans do not discard electronic tickets until confirmed the refund is processed, as the barcode is used to finalize the cancellation.
Refunds for Resale Tickets
For tickets resold through Ticketmaster’s safe resale marketplace, different refund rules apply:
- Only the original ticket buyer can request a refund before event.
- If event is canceled, refunds go to the current ticket holder.
- Resale sellers must set their own refund policy that buyers agree to.
So if a fan purchases a resale ticket but the event is postponed, they must accept whatever refund policy the seller has set. Ticketmaster still facilitates the process, but terms are agreed upon with the seller.
Getting Refunds on Fees
Given Ticketmaster’s extensive fees, many fans wonder if there is any way to get service and processing fees refunded. Unfortunately, these fees are generally non-refundable except for outright event cancellations.
Ticketmaster states that fees represent the costs of services rendered including ticket registration, marketing promotions, customer support, technology, and more. Since these costs cannot be recouped, fees are withheld even when base ticket prices are refunded.
Strategies for Avoiding Fees
Fans do have some options to avoid paying the highest Ticketmaster fees:
- Buy early – Fees tend to increase closer to the event date.
- Use presales – Special presales sometimes have discounted or no fees.
- Buy direct – Fees may be lower buying direct from the venue box office.
- Avoid paper tickets – Electronic tickets have much lower fees.
While these tips can help fans save on fees, there are no guarantees when ordering through Ticketmaster. Generally fees are only refundable in cases of full event cancellation.
Getting Your Money Back Another Way
If Ticketmaster is unwilling to provide a refund, there are couple last ditch options fans can pursue:
- Chargeback – Fans can dispute the charge with their credit card company. This starts a chargeback investigation where the credit card company reviews the dispute and determines if fans deserve their money back.
- Small claims court – In rare cases fans have pursued Ticketmaster in small claims court if they can document damages from the company’s refusal to refund.
However, both options are time consuming, difficult to win, and can get accounts banned from Ticketmaster. So they should only be considered as an absolute last resort after exhausting all other options.
Key Takeaways
- Ticketmaster refunds are available but subject to fees and restrictions.
- Refund eligibility depends on the event, ticket type, and timing.
- Standard tickets can get refunds before event, less fees.
- Many major events now enforce “no refunds” policies.
- Full refunds are issued if events outright cancel or postpone.
- Processing and services fees are never refunded except for cancellations.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster’s refund policies aim to balance consumer protection with the complex logistics of live events. While refunds are usually available, fans should carefully review all policies before purchasing. With many events now enforcing strict no refund rules, buyers must be comfortable with the risk of tickets being unusable.
The best way for ticket buyers to protect their investment is researching refund policies in advance, buying early to avoid high fees, and using Ticketmaster’s safe resale marketplace for transfers. While refunds are never guaranteed, being an informed buyer is the key to getting the most flexibility.
