Can I resell my U2 tickets?

Quick Answers

U2 tickets can be resold, but there are some restrictions. The original purchaser is allowed to sell or transfer tickets at face value. Reselling tickets above face value or through unauthorized channels may violate the terms and conditions. Fans are advised to use caution when purchasing resale tickets to avoid scams. U2 and Ticketmaster use paperless ticketing requiring ID of original purchaser. This aims to discourage reselling at inflated prices but can cause hassles for legitimate transfers. Overall, reselling U2 tickets is allowed in limited circumstances but can be risky without taking proper precautions.

Face Value Transfers Allowed

According to U2’s ticketing policy, fans are permitted to resell or transfer tickets at face value through authorized channels. This means you can sell or give away tickets to friends and family as long as you do not charge more than the original price printed on the ticket. Many tickets are non-transferable, so be sure to check your specific ticket terms before making any exchanges. U2 wants to discourage scalping where tickets are resold at unreasonable markups. By allowing face value exchanges only, the hope is that more fans have fair access to tickets without paying inflated secondary market prices.

Reselling Above Face Value Prohibited

While face value transfers are acceptable, reselling U2 tickets above original face value is strictly prohibited. U2’s ticketing terms ban any resales on secondary markets above the printed ticket price. This includes online resale sites like Stubhub where tickets often sell for many times their original cost. Any ticket holders caught reselling above face value may have their tickets canceled without refund. U2 fans who purchase resale tickets also risk having tickets voided if flagged as prohibited resales. The band wants to make tickets affordable and accessible to all fans. Massive markups on the secondary market work against that goal. Still, high demand for limited tickets does fuel a robust secondary market with ticket holders willing to pay premium prices.

Beware of Scams on Resale Markets

While prohibited by U2, nothing stops fans from listing grossly overpriced tickets on secondary markets. Desperate buyers seeking sold out tickets may bite on these but need to beware of potential scams. Some red flags include sellers asking you to pay outside the reseller platform, limited ticket details, prices way above comparable listings, or contact information that cannot be verified. Protect yourself by only using trusted resale platforms, examining everything carefully, paying by credit card, and confirming the tickets’ legitimacy prior to purchase. If a deal seems too good to be true, it very well may be. Caution is advised when venturing into secondary markets.

Paperless Ticketing Limits Resales

To combat unauthorized resales, U2 and Ticketmaster utilize mobile entry and paperless ticketing systems. This means tickets exist electronically only tied to the identity of the original purchaser. Ticket holders must show valid photo ID matching the name used at the time of online purchase. Tickets cannot be resold easily because the new buyer will not have matching ID. U2 can also block identified scalpers from re-entering venues. While this approach limits unfair resales, it also blocks well-intentioned transfers and gifting of tickets. Fans run into hassles if they purchase paperless tickets but then cannot attend or wish to bring a different guest instead.

Legitimate Transfers Still Possible

Despite restrictions, there are still legitimate means for fans to transfer paperless tickets. Ticketmaster provides an official resale exchange where the initial purchaser can sell tickets to a new buyer and update the ticket’s associated identity. This allows the new holder to gain entry with their own valid ID. There may be fees involved and prices are not supposed to exceed initial face values. Another option is to contact U2’s fan club or Ticketmaster for help officially changing the ticket’s identifying information in limited scenarios such as gifting tickets or substituting attendees. Whether such accommodations will be made varies, so do not assume transfers are guaranteed.

Weigh Pros and Cons of Reselling

Any U2 fan considering reselling their tickets needs to carefully weigh the pros and cons:

Potential Pros

– Make back the money you paid for tickets or possibly profit if selling at high demand
– Avoid losing your money if you can no longer attend
– Help other fans get access to tickets

Potential Cons

– Violate U2’s policies if reselling above face value
– Risk scamming fans with invalid or cancelled tickets
– Lose the chance to see U2 live in concert
– Deal with hassles transferring paperless tickets
– Miss out on a rewarding fan experience

Fans with extra tickets should prioritize helping other fans over making a quick profit. While allowed in limited capacities, resales ultimately undermine U2’s efforts to get tickets directly to fans at reasonable prices.

Conclusion

Reselling U2 tickets is permissible only at original face value and through authorized channels. While often prohibited, nothing prevents sellers from listing marked-up tickets through unauthorized resellers at fans’ risk. U2 combats scalping and unfair resales through paperless ticketing tying tickets to the original purchaser’s identity. This complicates some transfers but maintains integrity of the system. Fans can legally resell tickets but should exercise caution and avoid prohibited scalping. Prioritizing access and fairness serves the fan community best. Consider all factors carefully before reselling U2 tickets.

U2 fans have some limited options to resell tickets but should be aware of associated risks, restrictions, and effects on fellow fans. Proceed with caution if considering ticket resales.