Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies, providing tickets for a wide variety of live entertainment events. Many customers purchase tickets through Ticketmaster for concerts, sports games, theater shows, and other events.
However, sometimes plans change and customers are unable to attend the event they purchased tickets for. In these cases, customers often wonder if they can get a refund on their Ticketmaster ticket purchase.
The ability to cancel tickets and obtain a refund on Ticketmaster depends on several factors. Each event has its own refund policy that determines the requirements and eligibility for ticket refunds. Elements like when the refund request was submitted, the type of ticket, and more can impact if a refund is available.
In general, refund availability and eligibility on Ticketmaster varies based on:
- The specific event’s refund policy
- When the refund request was submitted
- The type of ticket purchased
- The original method of purchase
Reviewing the event’s refund policy is always the first step when considering canceling tickets. This will provide the specific terms, conditions, and eligibility factors. There are some general guidelines that apply to many Ticketmaster events and refunds, but the specific policy always supersedes these.
Refund Policies Vary By Event
One of the most important factors in determining refund eligibility for Ticketmaster tickets is the specific refund policy for that event. Each concert, game, show, or other event sets its own policy regarding canceled tickets and refunds.
These policies are established by the event organizer or venue, not Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster is simply the ticket sales and distribution service.
The refund policy outlines important details including:
- If refunds are allowed
- Any deadlines for refund submissions
- If there are any fees deducted from refunds
- If refunds are provided as credit or returned to the original payment method
- If exchanges are permitted instead of refunds
- Other terms and conditions
Some events may not allow any refunds or exchanges once tickets have been purchased. Others may have restrictive windows like a 14 or 30 day deadline to request a refund after the tickets were bought.
It’s crucial to review the specific policy for the event before assuming refund or exchange options are available. The policy provides the definitive guidance on what is allowed for that event’s Ticketmaster ticket purchases.
When the Refund Request Was Submitted
Closely related to an event’s refund policy are the deadlines or time windows for submitting refund requests. Each event sets its own terms for when refund requests must be submitted by in order to be eligible.
Typically there are early bird refund windows that permit full refunds. There are also later deadlines where only partial refunds or exchanges are allowed.
Sometimes refund availability ends weeks or months before the actual event occurs. In other cases refund requests are accepted up until 48 hours before an event starts.
If a deadline for refund submissions is missed, customers lose eligibility even if refunds were originally an option. Checking the specific event’s refund policy is the only way to confirm when requests must be submitted by.
Meeting the event’s posted deadline is required in order for Ticketmaster to process and provide approved refunds.
Type of Ticket
Ticketmaster facilitates ticket sales for a huge variety of live entertainment productions. Each event offers multiple types of tickets at different price levels. Options can include general admission, reserved seating, VIP packages, platinum, suites, and more.
Often the eligibility terms for refunds or exchanges depend on the ticket type purchased from Ticketmaster. For example:
- Some events may allow full refunds on standard tickets but only exchanges or credits for VIP tickets.
- In other cases general admission refunds are permitted but platinum and suite tickets are not refundable.
- Events may charge a per ticket restocking fee for refunded tickets that increases based on the type of seats.
Before selecting your tickets, understand if different terms, conditions, or fees apply based on the ticket type or section that you choose. This can impact what options are available if you later cancel and request a refund from Ticketmaster.
Original Purchase Method
How tickets were originally paid for when purchased through Ticketmaster is another potential factor in refund eligibility and availability.
Ticketmaster allows customers to purchase tickets online through the website or mobile app. Tickets can also be purchased by phone or in person at certain box office locations.
Different refund terms may apply based on the original purchase method including:
- Online purchases – refunds credited back to the method of payment used initially.
- Phone purchases – refund via check in the mail.
- Box office purchases – cash refund or credit on account.
There are also cases where the purchase method affects which tickets are refundable:
- Refunds allowed for online and phone purchases but not box office purchases.
- Website purchases can be fully refunded but phone/box office exchanges only.
Check if the original purchase method impacts eligibility before requesting a Ticketmaster refund. This includes potential differences in how the refund is provided back to the customer.
Requesting a Refund from Ticketmaster
Once you have checked the event’s refund policy and confirmed you meet the eligibility requirements, submitting a refund request is straightforward. Make sure to provide all required information accurately:
Online Purchases
Customers who purchased tickets on the Ticketmaster website can request refunds online through their Ticketmaster account.
1. Sign into your Ticketmaster account online or via the mobile app.
2. Access your purchase history – Upcoming Events or Past Purchases.
3. Select the order you want to request a refund for.
4. Choose the Refund option and follow the steps to submit your request.
5. Enter details on which tickets you are refunding and why (if requested).
You can also start the refund process by selecting the Refund option on your digital ticket barcode page.
Phone Purchases
If tickets were purchased over the phone, call Ticketmaster directly to request a refund:
- Tickets purchased directly via Ticketmaster – Call 800-653-8000
- Tickets purchased through a venue or box office – Call the box office directly
Have your order information and ticket details ready to complete the request.
In-Person Purchases
For tickets bought in person at a box office location, refunds must be handled directly through that box office:
1. Return to the box office location where you purchased tickets.
2. Bring the physical tickets and original method of payment used.
3. Request a refund and complete any required steps at that box office.
4. If eligible, refunds will be provided on the spot via original payment method or as box office credit.
Refund Process and Timelines
Once you submit a refund request to Ticketmaster, when should you expect to receive your money back?
Refund processing times vary based on:
- Method of purchase – online, phone, box office
- Event requirements for validating refunds
- Volume of refunds being handled
Here are some general timelines:
Online Refunds
For tickets purchased online and refunded electronically, expect:
- Processing time: 5-20 days
- Refund appears: On next credit card statement
Refunds to the original credit card can take several billing cycles to appear based on the card issuer’s processes.
Phone Refunds
Tickets purchased over the phone and refunded via check will take longer:
- Processing time: 4-8 weeks
- Refund appears: Arrival of check in the mail
Allow additional time for mailing and check processing through your bank.
Box Office Refunds
For box office ticket purchases refunded in person the same day, the process is quickest:
- Processing time: Same day
- Refund appears: Instantly as cash, credit, or box office credit
Keep the timelines above in mind when waiting for your Ticketmaster refund to appear. Reach out to customer service if your refund is delayed beyond the expected window.
Refund Fees
When refunds are available for Ticketmaster tickets, there are often associated fees deducted from the refund amount.
Common Ticketmaster fees and charges include:
| Fee Type | Amount |
| Delivery fee per ticket | $5.00 |
| Order processing fee | $15.00 |
| Restocking fee per ticket | 15% of ticket price |
For example, a $100 concert ticket with a $25 delivery fee would be refunded $85 after deducting the $15 restocking fee.
Check the event refund policy for specifics on fees. In some cases fees are waived or reduced based on when the refund was requested.
Plan for these deductions when determining if a Ticketmaster refund is worth the costs based on your situation.
Exchanges Versus Refunds
Some events do not permit ticket refunds but allow exchanges instead. This means switching out the tickets for a different performance date, city, or seating location.
Exchanges can be appealing options in situations like:
- You cannot attend on the scheduled date but want tickets for another show on the tour.
- You would prefer seats in another section or city for the same event.
If offered, exchanges provide added flexibility versus completely losing the ticket value. Keep the following exchange policies in mind:
- Deadlines still apply – exchanges must be done by the event’s posted cutoff date.
- Fees may still apply – expect to pay a per ticket exchange fee.
- Upgrades can incur added costs – moving to more expensive seats requires paying the price difference.
Check if exchanges are an option before forfeiting tickets with no refund available. Exchanges let you apply the purchase amount towards tickets for another date, time, or location instead.
Using Ticketmaster Ticket Insurance
One way to safeguard your Ticketmaster purchase is by adding ticket insurance during checkout. Options include:
- Refund Protection – Guarantees full refund if you cannot attend for covered reasons like illness or travel issues.
- Ticket Cancel – Covers if event is canceled with full refund provided.
Both insurance choices cost a small percentage on top of the base ticket price. This extra fee provides protection and peace of mind.
Key benefits if you need to cancel insured tickets include:
- Bypass refund deadlines – Request refunds anytime up to event start.
- Avoid restocking fees – Refunded the full purchase amount.
- Quick online refunds – Electronic refund to original payment method.
The extra insurance cost can be worthwhile to gain more flexible refund terms compared to uninsured ticket purchases.
Using StubHub for Ticket Resale
Instead of requesting refunds directly, another option is reselling tickets through an online resale marketplace like StubHub.
Here is how the StubHub resale process works:
- List unwanted tickets for sale on StubHub, setting your own ticket price and preferences.
- StubHub handles payment processing when a buyer purchases your listed tickets.
- The company charges a commission fee from the sale amount.
- You receive an electronic payment for the net ticket sale proceeds.
Benefits of going the resale route include:
- Bypass refund cutoffs – Tickets can be resold anytime leading up to the event.
- Sell at any price – List at a profit or reduced price to attract buyers.
- Avoid fees – No restocking or processing fees deducted.
If maximizing your economic return is the priority, reselling tickets through StubHub may be preferable over going through the Ticketmaster refund process.
Conclusion
The option to cancel tickets and obtain Ticketmaster refunds depends entirely on the specific event’s policies. Deadlines, fees, refund methods, and eligibility conditions can vary widely across different concerts, games, theater shows and more.
Carefully review the exact refund terms before purchasing tickets and make note of any upcoming deadlines after buying. This ensures you can act fast if needing to request a refund from Ticketmaster down the road. Consider supplemental insurance for high cost purchases that want extended protection.
As long as you meet the event’s stated requirements and submit requests on time, getting refunds for eligible Ticketmaster tickets is a straightforward process. Understanding the policies and limitations in advance is the key to successfully recouping your purchase when original plans change.
