Getting a refund from Ticketmaster can be difficult, but it is possible in certain situations. Ticketmaster has a no-refund policy for most events, but there are some exceptions. In this article, we’ll explore when and how you can get a refund from Ticketmaster.
When can you get a refund from Ticketmaster?
Here are some of the main situations when Ticketmaster may offer a refund:
The event is postponed, rescheduled or canceled
If the event you bought tickets for gets postponed, rescheduled or canceled altogether, Ticketmaster will typically issue a refund. They will notify ticket holders if the event organizer initiates a refund.
You can also proactively request a refund by contacting Ticketmaster customer service if you can no longer attend the new event date.
You purchased ticket insurance
Ticketmaster offers optional ticket insurance on some events. If you chose to add ticket insurance at checkout, you may be able to get a refund if you can’t attend the event for a covered reason.
Covered reasons include illness, travel issues, military deployment, and more. You’ll need to submit a claim with supporting documentation.
The tickets have a money-back guarantee
For some major events, Ticketmaster provides a money-back guarantee allowing refunds for any reason. This is rare but can happen for high-profile events like certain playoff games or concerts.
If the tickets have a money-back guarantee, it will be advertised upfront during the purchase process.
You received duplicate tickets
If there was an error and you were charged multiple times for the same tickets, Ticketmaster will issue a refund for the duplicate purchases. You will need to contact customer service to report the issue.
The tickets are fraudulent
If you purchased tickets through Ticketmaster and later discovered they were fraudulent or fake, you can request a refund by contacting customer service. They will conduct an investigation to verify the tickets were counterfeit.
How to request a refund from Ticketmaster
To request a refund from Ticketmaster, you’ll need to contact their customer service department. Here are a few ways to reach them:
Online ticket refund request form
You can submit an online ticket refund request form on Ticketmaster’s website. You’ll need to provide details on your purchase and why you are requesting a refund.
Phone
You can call Ticketmaster’s customer service line at 1-800-653-8000 to explain your refund request over the phone. Expect long hold times given the high call volume they receive.
Live chat
Ticketmaster offers a live chat feature on their website when customer service representatives are available. This allows you to get a written record of your refund request.
You can email Ticketmaster customer service at [email protected] to start a paper trail on your refund request. Include your order number and relevant details.
Social media
As a last resort, you can try reaching out to Ticketmaster’s social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter. Reply to one of their posts explaining that you need refund help and they may follow up.
Information to have ready
To make the refund request process easier, have the following information ready when you contact Ticketmaster:
– Order number
– Date and time of the event
– Original method of payment
– Details on why you are seeking a refund
– Supporting documentation (if applicable)
Having these details handy will help their team locate your purchase and process the refund quicker.
Refund processing time
If approved, how long does it take to receive your Ticketmaster refund? Here are the typical processing times:
Credit card purchases
Refunds to original credit card: Approximately 7-10 business days
Debit card purchases
Refunds to debit cards: Approximately 7-10 business days
Cash purchases
Refunds by check: Approximately 4-6 weeks
The refund timing depends on your original payment method and how quick your bank processes refunds. If it has been over 10 business days, follow up with Ticketmaster to confirm the status.
Why are Ticketmaster refunds so difficult?
Ticketmaster is upfront that refunds are not given except for in certain situations. Here are some reasons why their no refund policy is so strict:
High fees
A big reason is that Ticketmaster charges high fees on every ticket purchase. If they issue widespread refunds, they lose revenue from those administrative fees.
Event contracts
Ticketmaster’s event organizer clients likely require strict no refund policies to reduce financial risk if ticket sales are lower than expected.
Discourage fraud
A lenient refund policy could lead to more cases of fraud, such as people copying valid tickets and requesting multiple refunds.
Resell tickets
Ifrefunds were easy to obtain, some buyers may immediately resell high-demand tickets at a markup. This would cut into Ticketmaster’s own resale business.
While inconvenient for customers, the difficult process helps protect Ticketmaster’s bottom line.
Tips for increasing your odds of getting approved
Since Ticketmaster refunds are far from guaranteed, here are some tips to boost your chances:
Buy ticket insurance
Purchasing ticket insurance directly through Ticketmaster ahead of time provides more refund protection in case you can’t attend.
Avoid third-party resellers
Tickets purchased through unauthorized third-party resellers are unlikely to be refunded by Ticketmaster. Only buy from official sources.
Read policies carefully
Before purchasing tickets, read the Ticketmaster purchase policies. Look for any mention of refundability restrictions.
Follow up consistently
Don’t take just one denial from a customer service rep as the final ruling. Politely follow up and re-state your case until you reach a manager empowered to make exceptions.
Offer supporting documentation
Having evidence to back up why you couldn’t attend the event, like a doctor’s note or flight cancellation, will strengthen your case for a refund.
Act quickly
Request a refund as soon as possible when an event date changes or you know you can’t attend. Refunds are less likely the closer it gets to the event date.
Alternatives to Ticketmaster refunds
If Ticketmaster denies your refund request, all hope isn’t lost. Here are some alternative options to recover the ticket cost:
Resell through Ticketmaster
You can resell the tickets yourself on Ticketmaster’s resale platform. There is no guarantee you will get back what you paid, but recouping some cost is better than nothing.
Resell on a third-party site
Popular ticket resale sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats or Craigslist may fetch a higher resale price than Ticketmaster. Just make sure the site is reputable to avoid fraud.
Donate the tickets
You can contact local charities or community groups to see if they have any interest in using the tickets for underprivileged youth or volunteers. It’s at least a nice tax deduction.
Take the loss as a lesson
If you are completely stuck with unusable tickets, try looking at it as an expensive lesson to always read the fine print and buy insurance for big purchases. Not ideal, but it prevents repeat mistakes.
Key takeaways on Ticketmaster refunds
Here are some key tips to remember about getting refunds from Ticketmaster:
– Refunds are only offered in limited situations like cancellations or ticket insurance claims.
– Contact customer service via phone, chat, email or social media to submit a refund request.
– Have your order details handy when contacting them to expedite the process.
– Allow 7-10 business days for credit/debit card refunds to process if approved.
– Persistently follow up if your initial refund request is denied by a rep.
– Consider reselling tickets or donating them if Ticketmaster won’t refund.
The bottom line
Ticketmaster strictly enforces their no refund policy in most cases. But if your event is canceled or you purchased ticket insurance, a refund may be possible with some persistence. Reach out to their customer service as soon as possible and have all your order details ready to improve your chances. If they ultimately deny your request, reselling the tickets or donating them are better than letting them go to waste.