Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket providers for live entertainment events in the United States and abroad. They sell tickets for concerts, sporting events, theater shows, and more. Many people wonder if they need to create an account with Ticketmaster to purchase tickets or if they can buy tickets as a guest.
Do I need a Ticketmaster account to buy tickets?
The short answer is no, you do not need a Ticketmaster account to purchase tickets on their website or mobile app. Ticketmaster allows guests to search for events, check ticket availability, view seating charts, and complete purchases without creating an account.
There are a few different ways to buy tickets on Ticketmaster without an account:
- Use the Ticketmaster website – Navigate to Ticketmaster.com and search for the event you want tickets for. When you go to check out, there will be an option to “Continue as Guest.”
- Use the Ticketmaster app – Download the Ticketmaster app on your iOS or Android device. You can browse events and make purchases without logging in.
- Buy tickets at the box office – You can purchase tickets directly at the venue’s box office without needing an account.
- Buy from a third-party reseller – Sites like Stubhub allow you to buy tickets without creating an account. The tickets are often resale tickets.
So in summary, Ticketmaster does not require you to set up an account to make purchases. You can checkout as a guest every time.
What are the benefits of having a Ticketmaster account?
While a Ticketmaster account is not required, there are some benefits to setting one up if you plan to use their services regularly:
- Easier checkout process – Your payment information, shipping address, and other details will be stored to make checking out faster.
- Order history – You’ll have access to a dashboard that shows your previous ticket purchases and order details.
- Alerts for favorite artists – You can get notifications when artists you follow announce new events.
- Exclusive access – Some presale ticket allotments are only available to account holders.
- Paperless ticketing – Your tickets can be accessed via your account on your phone.
Here are some key benefits of a Ticketmaster account:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Easier checkout | Payment info saved for faster purchasing |
| Order history | See all your previous ticket orders and details |
| Artist alerts | Get notifications when your favorite artists have new events |
What features are unavailable without an account?
While you can fully use Ticketmaster to search events and buy tickets without an account, there are some features that require signing up:
- Paperless ticketing – Mobile entry tickets are only available via an account.
- Presales and waitlists – Getting presale code access and waitlist notifications require an account.
- Season ticket packages – You need an account to purchase season ticket packages.
- Ticket transfers – Account holders can transfer tickets electronically to other people.
- Selling tickets – To sell extra tickets you have, you need to list them from an account.
So while tickets can be purchased without an account, some convenient features are limited. Here’s a summary:
| Feature | Requires Account? |
|---|---|
| Paperless ticketing | Yes |
| Presales and waitlists | Yes |
| Season ticket packages | Yes |
| Ticket transfers | Yes |
| Selling tickets | Yes |
How do I create a Ticketmaster account?
Creating a Ticketmaster account is free and easy to set up:
- Go to Ticketmaster.com or open the Ticketmaster app.
- Click or tap “Sign In” in the top right corner.
- Click or tap “Sign Up.”
- Enter your email address and click “Next.”
- Create a password and enter your contact information.
- Click “Sign Up” to complete setup.
You can also connect your Ticketmaster account to a Facebook, Google, or Apple ID for quicker account creation. Once your account is set up, you can start accessing member-only features like presales, paperless ticketing, and more.
Can I use a virtual credit card on Ticketmaster?
Yes, Ticketmaster accepts virtual credit cards for ticket purchases on their website and mobile apps. Virtual credit cards, also known as digital credit cards or disposable credit cards, are temporary card numbers generated for online transactions.
Using a virtual credit card on Ticketmaster can offer certain benefits:
- Increased security – Virtual card numbers help protect your real card number.
- Control over spending – Set a specific spending limit on the virtual card.
- Easy to cancel – Just delete the virtual card when you are done using it.
Popular virtual credit card services like Privacy.com, and some banks like Capital One allow you to easily generate virtual cards. To use a virtual card on Ticketmaster:
- Generate a virtual card number with your provider of choice.
- When checking out tickets, enter the virtual card details.
- Ticketmaster will process the transaction like any regular credit card.
Using virtual cards is a great way to securely buy tickets from Ticketmaster without linking your real credit card. Just make sure to create a virtual card with enough spending power to fully cover the ticket purchases.
Can tickets be transferred without an account?
No, transferring tickets electronically requires a Ticketmaster account. Transferring tickets allows you to send purchased tickets to someone else through Ticketmaster.
Without a Ticketmaster account, your only option to transfer tickets is to pdf them or print them out to physically give to someone else. This requires being present to hand over the paper tickets.
With a Ticketmaster account, you can transfer tickets fully electronically. Here’s how it works:
- Log into your Ticketmaster account that purchased the tickets.
- Navigate to your order history and select “Transfer Tickets.”
- Enter the recipient’s name, email address or mobile number.
- The tickets will be sent to their Ticketmaster account or email.
Transferring tickets between accounts is convenient if you can no longer attend an event. It allows seamless ticket management without any physical paper tickets to exchange. Both the sender and recipient will need a Ticketmaster account to utilize electronic ticket transfers.
Is there a Ticketmaster customer service number?
Yes, Ticketmaster has a customer service phone number that can be used for inquiries, support, and other assistance. The number is:
1-800-653-8000
This toll-free number is available for calls within the United States. International customers can consult the Ticketmaster Contact page to find country-specific numbers.
Some common reasons to call Ticketmaster customer service include:
- Issues creating or accessing your account
- Questions about order status or history
- Cancellations, exchanges, or refunds
- Problems accessing tickets
- Report lost, stolen, or damaged tickets
Ticketmaster customer service representatives are available 7 days a week from 7am – 9pm PST. estimated wait times and callback requests are available on their website.
In addition to phone support, you can also contact Ticketmaster customer service through:
- Live online chat on their website
- Email support at [email protected]
- Contacting via social media like Twitter, Facebook or Instagram
What is Ticketmaster Platinum?
Ticketmaster Platinum is a pricing level on Ticketmaster that offers tickets to high-demand events at inflated prices. Platinum tickets can cost 2-5x the price of a standard ticket.
Platinum tickets unlock access to premium seats or experiences. Some features include:
- Front row or VIP seating sections
- Backstage tours or exclusive pre-show access
- Commemorative merchandise and collectibles
- Preferred parking passes
Ticketmaster uses an algorithm to adjust Platinum ticket prices based on demand. As an event sells out, Platinum tickets increase in cost. This allows Ticketmaster to maximize profits on hot ticket events.
Fans have criticized Ticketmaster Platinum as an unethical price gouging tactic. But Ticketmaster argues Platinum offers fans fair access to high-end experiences that would otherwise be acquired by scalpers.
Platinum tickets are not available for every event. Consumers can choose whether the elevated experiences are worth the inflated cost over regular admission tickets sold at face value.
Conclusion
In summary, Ticketmaster does not require account creation to search for events, check ticket availability, view seating charts, or complete purchases. Setting up an account unlocks added features like quicker checkout, order history, artist alerts, and electronic ticket transfers. While convenient, these features are not essential to buy tickets as a guest through Ticketmaster.
Virtual credit cards can be safely used on Ticketmaster for easy checkout. For customer service issues, their toll-free number and online support options are available. While Ticketmaster Platinum offers exclusive experiences, the value depends on each consumer’s budget and preferences.
Overall, Ticketmaster’s website and app remain fully functional for finding and purchasing tickets without an account. Users can evaluate whether the extra member-only features are useful enough to warrant registering an account. Both guests and members can securely access Ticketmaster’s immense inventory of live entertainment events.
