Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket providers for live events in the United States and worldwide. When purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster, customers often have the option to add on additional products or services during checkout, such as parking passes, VIP packages, merchandise bundles, and more. However, in some cases, customers may change their minds about these add-ons after the fact and want to request a refund. The refund policies around Ticketmaster add-ons can be complicated and are important to understand before completing your purchase.
What types of add-ons does Ticketmaster offer?
Ticketmaster provides a wide variety of add-on products and services that customers can purchase during the ticket buying process. Some of the most common Ticketmaster add-ons include:
– VIP packages – These packages provide ticket holders with a variety of special perks and amenities separate from the standard ticket, such as premium seating, meet-and-greets with performers, exclusive merchandise, food and drinks, early venue access, and more. VIP packages are offered for concerts, sports events, theater shows, and other events.
– Parking passes – Parking passes allow customers to reserve a parking spot at the venue in advance. This guarantees you a space and can save time on event day. Parking passes are very common add-ons for major concerts, sports games, and other large events.
– Merchandise bundles – Some events offer the option to add on a merchandise package during checkout which may include things like t-shirts, hats, posters, programs, and other collectible merch. These bundles allow you to secure event memorabilia upfront.
– Upgraded or premium seats – For concerts, sports, and theater shows, Ticketmaster sometimes gives the option to purchase seat upgrades during checkout which get you better locations than your original tickets. Popular upgrades include floor seats, front row, VIP sections, box suites, and more.
– Food and beverage packages – Many larger venues will allow you to add on food and drink packages ahead of time so you don’t have to wait in concessions lines. These can include unlimited food vouchers, open bar wristbands, dining experiences, and more.
– Event-specific packages – Some add-ons are specialized for specific types of events, like fan experiences for sports games, ride packages for festivals, or boat rentals for waterfront concerts. The add-on options are tailored to enhance each event.
Are all Ticketmaster add-ons refundable?
In most cases, Ticketmaster add-ons are final sale and non-refundable according to their standard policy. However, there are certain exceptions where refunds on add-ons may be allowed:
– If the entire event is canceled and refunds are issued for the original ticket purchase, any accompanying add-ons purchased through Ticketmaster are also eligible for a refund.
– If the add-on involves an experience that can be rescheduled, such as a VIP package, meet-and-greet, or other service-based perk, refunds or rescheduling may be allowed if Ticketmaster is notified with enough advance notice.
– For parking passes and merchandise bundles, full refunds should be issued if canceled more than 72 hours before the event. Within 72 hours, refund eligibility is more limited.
– If there is an error in your order or you are sold something you did not agree to purchase, Ticketmaster will generally issue a refund upon request.
Outside of the cases above, Ticketmaster considers add-on purchases final and non-refundable. However, each event and add-on type also have their own specific policies that can impact refund eligibility that customers should look into before buying.
How do I request a refund on a Ticketmaster add-on purchase?
If you believe your Ticketmaster add-on purchase is eligible for a refund based on the policies above, here is how you request one:
1. Access your Ticketmaster account online or via the mobile app.
2. Find your order confirmation for the original ticket transaction. This will have an order number listed at the top.
3. Click “Request Refund” and choose which add-on items you want to return.
4. Select a reason for your refund request.
5. Wait for Ticketmaster to process your request. Allow 2-3 weeks for handling.
6. Refunds will be issued to your original payment method if approved.
It is helpful to have the order number, add-on details, event information, and reason prepared before submitting the refund request. Ticketmaster may ask for additional details to process the return.
If your request is ultimately denied based on the refund policy, you will be notified by email and likely given an explanation. At that point, there are no other options for getting a refund directly through Ticketmaster if the policy states the purchase is final sale and non-refundable.
Can I sell unwanted add-ons instead of refunding?
If you are past the refund deadline for your Ticketmaster add-on purchase, reselling the add-ons is an alternative option to try recovering some of the cost. Here are some tips for reselling unwanted add-ons if refunds are not available:
– Parking passes can often be resold easily outside the venue on the day of the event to attendees who did not pre-purchase a pass. Popular events may have parking pass exchanges or Facebook groups to facilitate resale.
– Extra merchandise can sometimes be resold on eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and other platforms, especially if it is unopened official merchandise. Limited edition merch may sell for a marked up price to fans and collectors.
– Upgraded seats or VIP tickets can be listed on verified ticket resale marketplaces like VividSeats, StubHub, SeatGeek and others who facilitate exchanges legally and securely. Price according to current market demand.
– Food and beverage vouchers as well as other experience-based add-ons obviously cannot be resold, but you may be able to transfer them to friends attending the event with you if names are not specified.
Always adhere to the transfer and resale policies outlined in Ticketmaster’s Terms of Use when reselling add-ons. Avoid unauthorized resellers or retailers to prevent fraud and loss of add-on access.
How can I avoid the need to refund Ticketmaster add-ons in the future?
To avoid having to request refunds on Ticketmaster add-ons after purchase, here are some tips:
– Carefully review all add-on details, policies, and pricing before selecting add-ons to avoid buyer’s remorse or accidental purchases. Do not feel pressured to add a lot of extras unnecessarily.
– Only purchase add-ons you are completely certain you will use. Do not buy just for the sake of the upsell.
– Set a firm budget for your total ticket purchase including add-ons and do not exceed it. Add-ons can quickly increase the total cost.
– Purchase add-ons and upgrades far in advance if possible to allow more time for refunds if needed. Closer to the event, policies are usually stricter.
– Keep in mind that all sales of add-ons through Ticketmaster are typically final unless the event is canceled altogether. Purchase accordingly.
– If purchasing add-ons as a gift, be very sure of the recipient’s preferences so they are not disappointed with what they receive and forced to try getting a refund.
– Save all order confirmation emails and details as reference in case you need to submit a refund request or reach out to customer service regarding add-ons.
Following these tips will help customers make wise, informed add-on purchase decisions through Ticketmaster that limit the need for refunds down the road. Be an educated consumer.
Conclusion
In summary, getting a refund on Ticketmaster add-ons like VIP packages, parking, and merchandise is difficult in most cases as they are considered final sale per standard policy. However, refunds may be possible if the entire event is canceled, the add-on involves rescheduling a service, there was an order error, or special circumstances deemed eligible by Ticketmaster on a case-by-case basis. Customers should carefully review all policies before add-on checkout. If a refund is denied, reselling extra add-ons is an alternative option to recover costs. Carefully evaluating add-on needs and budget ahead of time can help prevent refund issues down the road on Ticketmaster orders.