The short answer is yes, you can transfer your Ticketmaster tickets to someone else in most cases. However, there are some restrictions and things to keep in mind when giving away tickets purchased on Ticketmaster.
Understanding ticket transfer policies
Before giving away your tickets, it’s important to understand the specific transfer policy for the event you purchased tickets for. Ticket transfer rules can vary depending on the event, venue, promoter, teams/artists policies, and more. Some key things to look out for:
- Restrictions on reselling tickets above or below face value – Some events prohibit reselling tickets at prices higher or lower than face value.
- Limits on how many times a ticket can be transferred – Many tickets can only be transferred once, after the initial purchase.
- Deadlines for transferring tickets – Tickets usually must be transferred by a certain date before the event.
- Requirements for both parties to have Ticketmaster accounts – For digital tickets, both the sender and recipient may need Ticketmaster accounts for successful transfer.
Always check the specific event page and ticket delivery method to understand the restrictions before giving away tickets. Attempting an unauthorized transfer can result in tickets being canceled by the venue or promoter.
Transferring digital tickets
For events using digital tickets (through Ticketmaster’s mobile app), the process of transferring tickets is straightforward:
- Open the Ticketmaster app and go to the event to access your tickets.
- Select the “Transfer Tickets” option.
- Enter the recipient’s email address or phone number associated with their Ticketmaster account.
- The recipient will receive a notification that tickets have been transferred to them.
- The tickets then appear in the recipient’s Ticketmaster account automatically.
As long as both parties have Ticketmaster accounts, this allows secure, instant digital transfer of tickets between accounts. It’s important to complete the transfer before the deadline, which is usually 24-48 hours before event start time.
Transferring paper tickets
For traditional printed/hard tickets, you’ll need to transfer tickets in person or via mail/courier:
- Meet up to exchange printed tickets, along with any associated parking passes or voucher codes.
- Or, use registered mail or a tracked courier service to send tickets to recipient.
- Call the box office ahead of time to notify them of the transfer, in case the new ticket holder needs help at will call.
Be sure to transfer paper tickets with enough time for the recipient to receive them before the event. Also keep in mind that if tickets are lost in transit, you would still be the owner on record.
Selling tickets to someone else
While Ticketmaster does facilitate ticket resales through their Ticketmaster Resale platform, not all tickets are authorized for resale. If you wish to sell your tickets, be sure to check if resale is allowed for that specific event first. Some key tips:
- Season tickets, student/discounted tickets often cannot be resold.
- There may be price floors/ceilings imposed on ticket resale.
- List tickets early to allow time to sell before event.
- Transfer tickets to buyer only after receiving payment to avoid non-payment issues.
- Use PayPal Goods & Services payments for seller protection against fraud.
In many cases, it may be against policy to sell tickets above face value. Be sure to review all resale conditions to avoid illegally scalping tickets.
Transferring tickets as gifts
Transferring Ticketmaster tickets as a gift is certainly permitted in most cases. Some best practices include:
- For last minute gifts, digital tickets allow instant transfers.
- For special occasions, print tickets or passes to give as physical gifts.
- Add a gift message during checkout so it’s personalized from you.
- Coordinate with recipient beforehand to ensure they can attend.
- Provide any important venue info, parking passes, voucher codes.
Gifting event tickets can make for wonderful presents. Just be sure to follow all policies and transfer tickets in time for the recipient to use them.
Issuing ticket transfers to a group
If you purchased a group of tickets with the intent to distribute them, here are some tips on smoothly transferring tickets to your group:
- Send group transfer list in advance to gather all recipients’ Ticketmaster account emails.
- Transfer all tickets to group members at once through your account.
- Follow up to confirm transfers were received successfully.
- Designate a group leader to handle any ticket issues at the venue.
- Ensure everyone has the event/venue details and meeting time/place.
Coordinating group ticket transfers takes planning, so be sure to start the transfer process early. Encourage recipients to download tickets promptly to avoid last minute snags.
Troubleshooting ticket transfers
Despite best efforts, sometimes there can be problems when transferring tickets. Here are some potential issues and solutions:
- Transfer deadline passed – Unfortunately no transfers possible past the cutoff time. Attendee will need to find a ticket.
- Recipient can’t attend – See if tickets are still transferrable to someone else in time.
- Digital transfer link expired – Resend a new transfer link if still possible.
- Tickets already claimed – Double check if recipient already accepted transfer successfully.
- Transfer limit reached – Ticket can only be transferred once, recipient will need a new ticket.
Act quickly if any transfer issues come up to try and make alternate arrangements in time for the event. Be sure to contact the box office for assistance as needed.
Using ticket transfers safely
While ticket transfers provide flexibility, there are some safety precautions to keep in mind:
- Only transfer tickets via official Ticketmaster channels.
- Don’t share barcodes publicly to avoid theft.
- Beware of scams when reselling tickets.
- vet buyers/sellers and avoid deals that seem suspicious.
- Use PayPal Goods for purchase protection.
- Transfer/ship tickets in a timely and trackable manner.
Exercising common sense goes a long way in avoiding problems. Do your due diligence on recipients and be wary of anything that seems risky or fraudulent when transferring tickets.
Checking your ticket transfer status
Wondering about the status of your ticket transfer? Here are ways to check:
- Digital tickets will show transfer status in your Ticketmaster account.
- Call or email the recipient to confirm they received transferred tickets.
- Check order confirmation emails for transfer details.
- Contact the box office if uncertain or issues arise.
- Log into Ticketmaster account to view order status and details.
- Open the Ticketmaster app to verify transferred tickets are gone.
Following up is important when giving away important tickets. Be proactive in confirming transfers to avoid any uncertainty over whether the recipient has the ticket in hand.
Policies for restricted and resale tickets
For specialty ticket types, be aware of these policies:
- Restricted tickets – Often non-transferrable, be sure to read policies carefully.
- Student/discounted tickets – Generally can only be used by original purchaser.
- Resale tickets – Resale platforms handle transfer to buyer directly.
- Season or multi-event tickets – Typically only full season/package can be transferred.
- Will call tickets – May need to notify box office to release tickets to recipient.
Scrutinize the fine print for any tickets with special restrictions or limitations to avoid violations when transferring.
Alternatives if transfer not possible
In situations where tickets can’t be directly transferred, there may still be options:
- Sell and rebuy tickets if time permits.
- Give recipient money to purchase tickets directly.
- List tickets for official resale via Ticketmaster.
- Donate tickets to charity so they can be redistributed.
- See if box office allows ticket name changes.
While not always possible, explore any available alternatives if direct ticket transfer is restricted or no longer feasible close to the event date.
Key takeaways
- Review transfer rules carefully before giving away tickets.
- Transfer digital tickets via Ticketmaster account.
- Mail/courier paper tickets and parking passes.
- Sell tickets only through approved resale channels.
- Start group transfers early and follow-up.
- Act quickly if any transfer issues arise.
- Confirm recipient successfully received tickets.
- Explore other options if direct transfer not allowed.
While ticket transfer policies vary, following best practices helps ensure smooth delivery. Transfer tickets in time for the new holder to use them so your gifted tickets don’t go to waste.
