Quick Answer
If an event you bought tickets for through Ticketmaster is rescheduled, you may be eligible for a refund. Ticketmaster’s refund policy allows refunds within 30 days of the event if it is postponed, rescheduled, or canceled. However, eligibility can vary depending on the event promoter’s policies. Contact Ticketmaster customer service as soon as possible to inquire about getting a refund.
Opening Summary
Having an event you planned to attend get postponed or rescheduled can be a major disappointment. In cases like this, getting your money back on the tickets you bought can make the situation a little better. Ticketmaster does offer refunds or exchanges if an event is rescheduled, but its policy has some limitations.
This article will explain Ticketmaster’s refund policy for rescheduled events and what steps you need to take to get your money back. We’ll cover factors like how soon the event was rescheduled, whether you can exchange the tickets instead, and how the event organizer’s own policies come into play.
There are no guarantees that you’ll be able to get a full refund from Ticketmaster itself if an event date changes. But by understanding its policy and contacting its customer service promptly, you can maximize your chances.
Ticketmaster’s Refund Policy for Rescheduled Events
Ticketmaster’s refund policy covers situations where an event is rescheduled, postponed, or canceled. But there are specific conditions that must be met:
- You must request the refund within 30 days of the event’s original scheduled date.
- Whether a refund is allowed depends on the event organizer’s policies.
- If allowed, refunds are typically issued to the original payment method used to buy the tickets.
So Ticketmaster does make refunds possible for rescheduled events in many cases. But it also gives the organizers of those events a lot of control over whether refunds can be issued.
This means you’ll need to check the specific policies for your event. Often these details can be found on the event page on the Ticketmaster website. Any refund availability should be mentioned upfront when buying tickets.
The 30 day time limit is also crucial. You’ll want to request a refund or exchange from Ticketmaster as soon as possible after the rescheduling is announced to have the best chance of getting your money back.
Refund vs. Exchange
In some cases, Ticketmaster may offer you an exchange instead of a full refund if an event is rescheduled. This means you can use the value of your ticket to attend the new date or another event.
Exchanges are typically offered if the original event date was postponed or rescheduled with enough advance notice. For last minute cancellations or major date changes, a refund is more likely to be approved.
When you contact Ticketmaster about a rescheduled event, inquire about both refund and exchange options to see what works best for you.
Getting a Refund from Ticketmaster for a Rescheduled Event
If you bought tickets through Ticketmaster for an event that has now been rescheduled, here are the steps to take:
- Check the event or venue website for details on the new date and any policies about ticket refunds. This will give you an idea of what to expect.
- Contact Ticketmaster customer service by phone or online chat. Do this as soon as possible after the rescheduling is announced.
- Explain that your event was rescheduled and ask what refund or exchange options are available.
- If a refund is offered, provide any details required to process it.
- If denied by Ticketmaster, reach out to the event organizer directly about its policies.
Having details like your order number, ticket listings, event name and dates will help make the process smoother when you contact Ticketmaster. Be patient but persistent if the first customer service agent you speak to is unable to help.
Third-Party Ticket Sites
If you purchased tickets through a third-party reseller instead of Ticketmaster directly, the policies become more complicated. Ticketmaster won’t issue refunds for tickets not bought on their platform.
You’ll need to review the policies of sites like Stubhub, Vivid Seats, or SeatGeek to see if rescheduled events are covered. If not, you may still be able to get a refund by reaching out to the seller directly.
Buy tickets through official sources like Ticketmaster whenever possible to have the most refund protections. Resellers often have much more restrictive policies.
Factors That Impact Refund Availability
When an event is rescheduled, there are several key factors that will determine if Ticketmaster grants a refund:
1. How Soon the New Date is Announced
If a new event date is set and announced well in advance, a refund is less likely to be approved. Ticketmaster will assume fans can adjust their schedules to attend on the new date. Exceptions can be made for events postponed a year or more in advance.
Last minute rescheduling, like within weeks of the event, often does make refunds available. There is no reasonable way for fans to alter travel plans and arrangements with little notice.
2. Type of Event
Ticketmaster is more flexible about refunds for major concerts, festivals, and live sporting events. These are events fans make special plans to attend, like travel and accommodations. Rescheduling them can incur major costs.
For local events or performances that are more repeatable in nature, like minor league sports, refunds are less common. Fans have an easier time attending a later date.
3. Reason for Rescheduling
If an event was rescheduled due to forces outside the organizer’s control, refunds are less likely to be offered. Situations like natural disasters, venue damage, illness, or state restrictions are more often considered exceptions.
If an event is rescheduled voluntarily by the organizer, refunds are more commonly expected. Fans rightfully feel inconvenienced by the unnecessary date change.
4. Organizer Refund Policies
As Ticketmaster’s policy notes, the event organizer’s own refund rules take precedence. If they declare that no refunds will be given for a rescheduled event, Ticketmaster has to abide by it.
Some organizers also place limits like “no refunds within 60 days of event” or “exchanges only after general admission sales begin.” Always check for any posted policies on the event or venue site.
Getting a Refund for Other Ticketmaster Issues
Beyond rescheduled events, Ticketmaster also generally offers refunds in other situations:
- The event is permanently canceled (not just postponed)
- You can no longer attend due to a serious medical issue or military deployment
- The tickets sold were counterfeit or fraudulent
- You never received the tickets you paid for
There are specialized processes to request refunds for these cases, like providing doctor’s notes or police reports. Contact Ticketmaster customer service for exactly what is needed. Time limits also still apply.
Alternatives to Get Your Money Back
If Ticketmaster denies you a refund after an event is rescheduled, you still have options to recover the cost:
- Credit card price protection – Some card issuers will refund the price difference if an identical item you bought goes on sale later.
- Credit card purchase protection – Cards with this benefit may cover event tickets that can no longer be used due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Sell the tickets – Sites like StubHub let you recoup some costs by reselling tickets you can’t use.
- File a complaint – Contact consumer protection agencies to report unfair refund denials that violate policies.
Checking the benefits of the card used to buy tickets can reveal additional ways to get your money back if Ticketmaster does not grant a refund. Reselling the tickets is also an option.
Key Takeaways
– Ticketmaster allows refunds within 30 days for rescheduled events, but actual eligibility depends on the event organizer’s policies.
– Exchanges for a later date may be offered instead of refunds in some cases.
– Factors like how soon the event was rescheduled, the type of event, and the reason for postponing all impact if refunds are available.
– Contact Ticketmaster customer service as soon as possible after an event date changes to inquire about refund or exchange options.
– Alternative options like credit card protections, reselling tickets, or filing complaints can recoup costs if Ticketmaster denies a refund.
The Bottom Line
Having an event rescheduled can certainly be a letdown. While Ticketmaster does not guarantee refunds if an event date changes, immediately reaching out to its customer service team is the best way to request getting your money back. Supply any details the event organizer requires and be persistent in following up if needed. With a prompt and polite inquiry, many fans are able to get some type of refund or exchange accommodation when event plans change unexpectedly.